MIDNIGHT DRAGS ANNOUNCE NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO ‘RONNIE’ OUT OCTOBER 9
Explosive and surreal, noise pop project Midnight Drags has today announced a new single Ronnie, a wild journey through love and loss and the chaotic dissolution of a relationship kept apart, out today, October 9. Midnight Drags, the solo project of artist Lucas James, has also produced a stunning video clip for Ronnie in collaboration with Indonesian artist Galihpanji. Ronnie is the first taste of Midnight Drags’ new album Bad Business, expected in early 2021.
Ronnie is evocative of Cheap Trick, Eskimo Joe and even modern rockers Catfish and the Bottlemen – from the opening hits to the fiery, lightning-in-a-bottle chorus, from the dynamite guitar solo to James’ contagious vocal, this track is heartfelt, pervasive and intriguing. Who is Ronnie – and what did they do? What are they looking for? Offering some insight into the inspiration behind the track, James says, “Ronnie is a love song about yearning, regret and ultimately meeting one’s fate. It was was (loosely) written about someone I know who went to jail. It’s written from the perspective of their confused and tormented loved one waiting on the outside.” Recorded at James’ very own studio, Hot Bias Recording Studio, Ronnie features Lucas James on vocals, guitar, percussion and synth, Ashley Naylor (Even, Paul Kelly Band) on guitar, Bill McDonald (Stephen Cummings, Frente) on bass and Brett Wolfenden (The Casanovas, Wolfmother) on drums.
The video for Ronnie is appropriately chaotic, fragmented – the animation style of Galihpanji is perfect for the mood of the track, as the sketchy characters descend into destructive behaviours and hopelessness prevails, as Lucas explains, “The video is a cool, trippy but rather grim little piece that I essentially left to the uber talented Galihpanji (Metamorse Studio) to come up with something after discussing the track with him… I was recommended to him by a friend and loved his rough and beautiful style.”
Ronnie is a stunning reflection of Midnight Drags as a project, as James reveals, “Midnight Drags was borne out of a desire to play some of my slightly scuzzy power-pop with a band as I’d usually always recorded on my own and tried to cover all bases by myself. This was a chance to let go of some of that creative control and allow other amazingly talented people to become part of the process and outcome. Glad I did.”
Midnight Drags is Lucas James.
Ronnie is out today, October 9
PRAISE FOR REI
“Like all his music, it’s distinctly Kiwi but still different from anything other local artists are making. New Zealand On Air has an unprecedented level of talent on its airwaves, and Rei is one of its champions.”
The Spin Off, Josie Adams
“It feels safer to refer to Rei as a triple-threat, although his true capabilities may extend beyond singing, dancing and producing.”
Stuff.co.nz, Alex Behan
“Rei is one of the most interesting and successful local artists who has successfully bridged R&B, Pop and Hip-Hop as well as effortlessly using te reo as a vehicle.”
Elsewhere.co.nz, Graham Reid
“Hip-Hop and Rap music has thrived in New Zealand for as long as the genres themselves have been around; here, Rei has now left a mark on the scene that is unique and created a sound of his own.”
Muzic.net.nz, Steve Shyu