Video: Zola Jesus, “Clay Bodies”
This is gothic siren Zola Jesus playing Kiki de Montparnasse in a Man Ray portrait, the only thing missing is the part where she starts crying pearls. For this shoot Zola and her video team busted into abandoned art deco locations in Detroit, including churches and zoos, so its gritty beauty is also crumbling and renegade, in the same way as her music. It’s like she’s speaking for the ghosts who haunt the buildings, finally giving voice to lost souls. (via p4k)
Former Ghosts (f. Members of Xiu Xiu and Zola Jesus), “Hold On” MP3
- story Matthew Schnipper
With some assistance from Jamie Stewart, main body of Xiu Xiu and Nika Roza, main body of Zola Jesus, Former Ghosts is the songwriting project of Freddy Ruppert of This Song is a Mess But So Am I, who has a giant “MOM” tattoo on his arm and looks like a stylish sailor. Maybe it’s because we’re coming out of Fashion Week, but Former Ghosts has the distinct sound of bummer goth feelings that would have been perfect to soundtrack something black and shredded down the runway. Perhaps something with little bits of mirror shard. Philip Lim, Rodarte, are you listening? If Cold Cave seems too happy for you, but Death in June too sad, take a listen.
Download: Former Ghosts, “Hold On”
Freak Scene #42: Less Freak, More Geek
- story Matthew Schnipper
In this week’s Freak Scene, Jamie Johns runs through her favorite releases and shows from Halflings, Pharmakon, Pens, Zola Jesus and John Wiese in the month since her last non-China post.
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posted on Aug 31, 2009 in BLOGS, FREAK SCENE tags FREAK SCENE, Halflings, John Wiese, Pens, Pharmakon, Zola Jesus
Zola Jesus, “Crowns” + “Clay Bodies” MP3s
- story Sam Hockley-Smith
If it seems like Zola Jesus came out of nowhere it’s because she more or less did. At only 19, she’s been making reverb-drenched hymns for abandoned churches long enough to seem much older. Her newest record The Spoils just came out on Sacred Bones—the purveyors of wildly listenable basement goth records. Definitely not for everyone, but if you like an intensely strong voice belting over industrial drums and stark keys (or if you live in an empty factory by yourself) then this is right up your dark alley.
Download: Zola Jesus, “Crowns”
Download: Zola Jesus, “Clay Bodies” (via Raven Sings the Blues)
Freak Scene #34
- story THE FADER
After its hiatus, Freak Scene has re-emerged written by FADER contributor Jamie Johns. Every other Monday she’ll be drawing attention to the choicest selections of the weird underground.
This week: first, riding the “Crimson Wave” with Zola Jesus, then a journey with Emeralds.
