Barrie Confronts “Wichita Lineman” & American Mythos Of Hard Work On “Frankie”
Announces New 7” Out Dec 3
ARENA-POP DANCE MEETS 80s AEROBICS IN “FRANKIE” VIDEO, WATCH HERE
Photo: Faye Tsakas - download hi-res here
DIRECTED BY ADINAH DANCYGER (OKAY KAYA, LAUV)
CHOREOGRAPHY BY MATILDA SAKOMOTO (WET, DAISY THE GREAT)
2022 LIVE DATES INCLUDE PARIS, LONDON, NEW YORK + LOS ANGELES — DETAILS BELOW
PRE-ORDER 7” HERE: http://smarturl.it/dig-frankie
Today, Barrie — the acclaimed musical project helmed by Barrie Lindsay — shares the video for “Frankie,” a new single that confronts the American archetype of the relentless worker as posited by Glen Campbell’s “Wichita Lineman.” While the song’s lyrics examine our relationship with labor, its sonics are sublime.
The opening pulse suggests New Order as Barrie sings: “Born with emotion / Pushed into motion / Wichita Lineman / Our most favorite tragedy.” Her voice echoes and subtle synth layers reveal themselves before a momentous breakbeat introduces the chorus, where Barrie laments the fruitless cycle of exploitation amid a backdrop of discontinued New Deal projects.
Says Barrie: “Glen Campbell had just died and the radio was playing “Wichita Lineman.” It felt relevant to the social justice movements at the moment, to the push for democratic socialism, or at least a rejection of capitalism and where it’s gotten us. The Wichita Lineman has a shitty oppressive job that isolates and overworks him, as many Americans do, and instead of feeling outraged on his behalf, we honor and lionize his commitment to labor. The song is a great litmus test. People either find the character really heroic and noble, or find the whole situation sad and fucked.”
The “Frankie” video challenges this alienation through the cathartic spontaneity of dance. Though Barrie and her wife Gabby had no prior dance experience, choreographer Matilda Sakomoto (Wet, Daisy The Great) and director Adinah Dancyger (Okay Kaya, Lauv) are able juxtapose the song's narrative of exploited labor with a celebration of human motion and connection.
Watch “Frankie” here: https://youtu.be/MJUgG0yzQ3o
Says Barrie on the video: “I knew from the start that I wanted the “Frankie” video to be a dance video. I imagined an intensive, rhythmic, aerobic video; halfway between a Tae Bo workout video and pop choreography. I have no dance experience whatsoever, and wanted to work really hard and put that effort-fulness front and center in the video. Gabby has similar experience with dancing, so it was very cool and organic to learn together.”
Continues director Adinah Dancyger: “Frankie” was an opportunity to explore the emotional landscape we carry as people: the trials and errors, frustration, awkwardness, confidence, confusion, connection, joy, and so on and so forth. Working with choreographer Matilda Sakomoto, we found a balance of what felt natural and where exploring new terrains brought about catharsis and spontaneity. It’s a celebration of moving through the motions, through motion.”
“Frankie” follows “Dig,” Barrie’s first music since her debut album, 2019’s Happy To Be Here. Stereogum says “Dig” “blurs the line between indie rock and pop in somewhat mystic fashion...Like, this is definitely a pop song, but it also feels very post-Animal Collective? Maybe a bit like peak Dirty Projectors? The melody is gripping regardless.”
Barrie is currently gearing up for 2022 live dates in Paris, London, New York and Los Angeles. See dates below and get tickets here: https://www.barrie.earth
‘Dig / Frankie’ 7” is out Dec 3 via Winspear: http://smarturl.it/dig-frankie
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