Supergloom Shimmy Closer to Debut LP With New Single ‘Shimmer,’ Accompanying Video
Private eyes are stereotyped for sticking close to, but not scaring off, their target until the person reaches their ultimate destination. Similarly, The Bad Penny continues to monitor the activity of supergloom as the shoegazing LA newcomers inch closer to realizing their first full-length record.
Earlier this year–on April Fools Day, to be precise–we introduced you to supergloom around the time they released “sideFX,” the first single from their still-untitled debut. The heady, cleverly named song exemplified what would become their maiden release. We touched base with supergloom toward the end of April, at which point they let The Bad Penny exclusively unveil a new song, “Kingfisher.”
Just recently, the band broke out a third new song, the self-produced “Shimmer,” and a colorful video to accompany it. We’ll save you a few clicks on your touchpad by presenting it right here:
Supergloom’s three members recently touched base with The Bad Penny to speak exclusively with us about “Shimmer.” Collectively, they said the song was the end result of all three supergloomers collaboratively experimenting with different influences and writing styles. The lyrics are a comment on how breaking out of one’s comfort zone can lead to something unexpected and rewarding. Ian Stahl, supergloom’s newest member, handled lead vocals and played bass on “Shimmer.”
“We can only be betrayed by those who we trust,” Stahl told The Bad Penny, elaborating on the song’s message. He said “Shimmer” was “written as a friendship was dissolving, and I finally began to see clearly how I was being manipulated. It was like waking up from hypnosis to find out you were being led blindly down all the wrong paths.
“There was no going back, but there was also no moving forward without confronting that person and severing that relationship,” Stahl continued. “However, after the fear of conflict comes the feeling of power from making a positive change, ridding yourself of an anchor that you weren’t even aware was dragging you down.”
Meanwhile, Drew Aron contributed guitar and harmony vocals, while Shane Graham managed drums and percussion.
“With this song, we were channeling a mixture of dream pop and shoegaze,” Graham stated. “I have been mixing all our latest [material], and with this one, I sought out to make the verses really dreamy. This is the first track where I applied reverb to the whole drum kit. We experimented with layering multiple vocal performances to create a dense, lush sound with layers of guitars and synths. The chorus hits hard and kind of calls back to a classic big ’90s chorus.”
Aron added: “When writing the guitars and trying to create a vibe in the verses, we were really inspired by the Cocteau Twins.”
Supergloom intend to release a new single every five to seven weeks, leading up to the album’s eventual release. They still haven’t locked down a release date–but they’re not going to remain idle until they do. Supergloom are currently recording their next single and plan to play some gigs to be announced soon.
Head to supergloom’s Instagram, Bandcamp, and Facebook pages to track the emerging shoegazers’ goings-on.
Photo courtesy of supergloom.
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