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V.V. Lightbody’ shares indulgent new single “Horse On Fire” – “Make A Shrine Or Burn It” out on Acrophase Records May 1st

April 6, 2020
Photo Credit: Rachel Winslow
 

V.V. LIGHTBODY SHARES OFF-KILTER, INDULGENT NEW SINGLE “HORSE ON FIRE” 

WATCH/SHARE “HORSE ON FIRE” HERE

MAKE A SHRINE OR BURN IT OUT MAY 1ST ON ACROPHASE RECORDS

PRE-ORDER HERE

V.V. Lightbody is sharing the newest single off of her sophomore album today, “Horse On Fire”, which sees the Chicago multi-instrumentalist going all in combining the indie-lounge-rock of her previous singles with a hard driving bass and sax combination that grips the listener immediately.

Speaking to the new song Vivian McConnell says;”Although sonically playful, “Horse on Fire” was initially written from a place of anger. I was pissed. It’s about someone in my life who did something almost unforgivable and then skipped town – not giving anyone time to understand what happened, heal, or forgive. How can you love someone who messed up like that? How did you not see this coming?

“Horse on Fire” works through that feeling while also reflecting on the more tender moments of a deep friendship.“Horse on Fire” is the most indulgent track on Make a Shrine or Burn It: excessive saxophone, a disco-esque bass line, and a double Farfisa solo. I let this song be a loose cannon as a response to frustration, and that’s where the song wanted to go.

The new song follows the announcement of V.V.’s first album for Nashville’s Acrophase Records and the release of the last single “If It’s Not Me”. Following her two teaser singles from 2019 V.V. Lightbody returned, once again showcasing her knack for stunning arrangements and fully transparent, empathetic, and honest songwriting.

What does belonging to yourself look and sound like in 2020? For Chicago’s V.V. Lightbody, it’s following her 2018 debut “Bathing Peach,” with a break-up and breakthrough sophomore LP Make a Shrine or Burn It – a masterclass in self-reflection and female autonomy.

Produced herself, the album finds the singer/songwriter folding her oceanic, nap rock sound into the musical kaleidoscope of Laurel Canyon folk-pop and floaty, improvisational psychedelia; inviting the listener into the complex yet controlled chaos of it all.An album of lingering farewells and cautiously optimistic beginnings punctuated by a deceptive wit, Lightbody – a.k.a. Vivian McConnell – turns her attention inward, exploring what it means to be with yourself after being with another; trading abstract, third-party narratives for those more poignant and conversational. W

ith the June 2019 release of lead single “Car Alarm,” a siren song jokingly prophesying death and legacy under the guise of horniness, it was apparent that McConnell was in the midst of transformation. Her lower register taking on a smoky, growl-like quality, she sounded ready to pounce; her warbly guitar swirling into a slick, bluesy solo as opposed to more languid, previous singles.

Recorded at noted Chicago recording studios including Decade Studios, Public House and Pallet Sound, as well as in her own bedroom (extremely true to form), McConnell produced the album herself and teamed up with the city’s go-to engineer Dave Vettraino (Lala Lala, Makaya McCraven, Deeper, Melkbelly).

Building upon lush harmonies and textured rhythms – featuring Ohmme’s Sima Cunningham on vocals and Macie Stewart on violin, and saxman Wills Mckenna among others – “Make a Shrine or Burn It” is an adventurous uptick in the dreamy, signature V.V. Lightbody soundscape.

Her woozy romanticism is a bit rougher around the edges, she’s found a new freedom in impermanence, lessons in mistakes and power in not making the same ones twice. With the climactic exhale “Offers,” she delivers a sweeping admonishment of gendered expectations and contortion of the female form. Culminating in the shadowy, stripped, cliff-hanger closer “USPS” – she dares to ask the question she can only hope to receive an answer to. At its end,  “Make a Shrine or Burn It” soundtracks a journey of accepting where one chapter ends, and another begins –  whether one’s ready or not.V.V.

Lightbody’s May release tour has been postponed due to health concerns around COVID-19, find V.V.’s June tour dates with OHMME below.

V.V. Lightbody + OHMME Summer Tour Date

s6.5 Los Angeles, CA at Zebulon

6.6 Oakland, CA @ Crystal Cavern

6.7 Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst

6.8 Sacramento, CA @ Harlow’s Night Club

6.9 Sisters, OR @ Sutter Lodge

6.11 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge

6.12 Seattle, WA @ Barboza

6.13 Spokane, WA @ Lucky You Lounge

6.14 Boise, ID @ The Olympic 

6.16 Bolinas, CA @ Farm Stand

Acrophase Records is a Nashville based label services company founded in 2015 by Dan Asip and George Seay. The label was started in a college dorm with the vision of creating a unique source of music while serving the artists on their roster in a non-traditional fashion. Their catalog includes the artists Ginger Root, V.V. Lightbody, Berta Bigtoe, Blake Ruby, among others.

V.V. Lightbody –   Facebook

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