Photo by David Hamzik
In a summer where nothing feels very summer-y, a new Surfer Blood single (and video) may be just the thing to stir up some seasonal spirit. Today the Florida indie rock band released “Summer Trope” ahead of their upcoming fifth album Carefree Theater, and it brings the kind of breezy pop vocals and sun-dappled guitar harmonies that have made the band a summer staple.
Lyrically, the song tells the story of an Alcatraz escape gone awry. Directed by David Hamzik, the video features singer John Paul Pitts in a more light-hearted homage to Castaway. Maybe coincidentally, it’s an image that hits home given the sense of isolation COVID-19 lockdown has brought for many. At first, Pitts is all alone, munching star fruit and spear fishing in the shallows, but as he makes his way back to civilization, his bandmates start to appear–bassist Lindsey Mills as a mermaid, drummer Tyler Schwarz as an indifferent gondola pilot, and finally guitarist Michael McCleary as the sympathetic boater who throws him a line.
Surfer Blood cancelled their 2020 tour plans (as all responsible artists have) but that doesn’t mean they won’t be able to perform live. This Saturday, July 11, the band will be webcasting a socially-distanced, full-band show from Ballet Florida’s Indian River Gardens in St. Pierce, Florida. The stream will be hosted at Noonchorus.com, which has also recently hosted shows by the likes of Waxahatchee, Angel Olsen, Whitney, and Japanese Breakfast.
Carefree Theater will be out September 25th via Kanine Records. The band will also be releasing a 10th anniversary deluxe vinyl reissue of their debut album, Astro Coast, on August 29th.
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