WATCH THE VIDEO DIRECTED BY BEAR DAMEN
Benny Sings has unveiled his latest single, “Rolled Up” featuring Mac DeMarco. It’s the third new song that Benny has released this year via Stones Throw, two of which he performed on a recent NPR Tiny Desk (At Home) Concert.
Watch “Rolled Up” here, directed by Bear Damen: https://youtu.be/rcd_qIYg10s
The punchy, deep-in-the-pocket groove of the song comes to life in the existential video: contemplating a broken egg while sipping a healthy pour of brandy, bobbing in a swimming pool while fully clothed, and interpretive dance for good measure. The video was created in Benny and Mac’s respective hometowns of Amsterdam and L.A., with Bear directing the L.A. shoot remotely from Amsterdam, due to the restrictions on travel during the pandemic.
“The song is about being in the dumps without a particular reason,” says Benny. “Things can be pretty good, but still you feel like shit. Sometimes leaving it all can be a cure. We wrote this together last year in Mac’s studio. I think Mac went out to get some coffee, and he heard someone use the phrase ‘rolled up, tossed out,’ talking about a cigarette. So that was the start of it. It felt pretty effortless, I think we both come from the same place songwriting-wise. Was a dream to work with him. A true artist.”
“Rolled Up” further reinforces Benny’s role as an in-demand songwriter across genres, and adds to an ever-growing list of collaborators and fans that includes Rex Orange County’s platinum single “Lovin Is Easy” (Benny co-wrote and is featuring on the track), The Free Nationals, PJ Morton, Mayer Hawthorne, Goldlink, John Mayer, Allen Stone, Cornelius and others. "Benny has always been a massive inspiration for me and my music,” Rex Orange County has said. “In my opinion he’s one of the most underrated producers and artists going.”
Benny’s NPR Tiny Desk (Home) Concert features two new songs: “Sunny Afternoon” (written with PJ Morton) and “Music.” He also performed “Apartment,” which he wrote with The Free Nationals. “I've never come across a moderate Benny Sings fan,” says NPR.
In 2019, Benny made his Stones Throw debut with City Pop, which has 15 million streams and has received support from KCRW, BBC 6 Music, NPR Music, and more. Watch the video for album highlight “Not Enough”, also directed by Bear Damen, here.
Stones Throw is also releasing a “Rolled Up” 7-inch. "Rolled Up" feat. Mac DeMarco, backed with "Rolled Up (Instrumental), order here: https://sthrow.com/bennysings