Vivian Girls share Alex Ross Perry-directed “Sludge” video

“I just counted: there are four different photos of Vivian Girls in the look book I made for Her Smell,” says Perry.

September 10, 2019

Vivian Girls have shared a video for new song "Sludge" directed by Her Smell filmmaker Alex Ross Perry. The song is lifted from the recently-reunited band's new album Memory, due out later this month.

ADVERTISEMENT

Critical favorite Her Smell was released earlier this year and tells the story of a chaotic '90s punk frontwoman, played by Elisabeth Moss, and her battle to find her feet amid personal drama and a shifting musical landscape.

In a statement, Ross Perry said Vivian Girls were a major influence for him when writing the film. "I just counted: there are four different photos of Vivian Girls in the look book I made for Her Smell, the director said.

ADVERTISEMENT

"So if you had told me when I was first seeing them at Death By Audio (or was it Union Pool?) in 2008 (or was it late 2007?) that over a decade later, we'd be collaborating on a music video, I would have been alarmed at the specificity of this prophecy.

"The notion was to invent a video for 'Sludge' that honored The Valley, toying with suburban nothingness and alienation, honoring filming locations from E.T. that are still emanating traces of decades-old magic. To explore the dichotomy of light and dark, mortal and immortal, self and self. Of then and now..."

Memory, released on September 20, will be Vivian Girls' first album since 2011. They will tour their new music across North America from October.

ADVERTISEMENT

Listen to The FADER's weekly playlist of songs you need in your life

Thumbnail image courtesy of Neil Kryszak.

ADVERTISEMENT
Vivian Girls share Alex Ross Perry-directed “Sludge” video