Deerhoof Share Origins of New Song “Wedding, March, Flower”: Exclusive
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The post Deerhoof Share Origins of New Song “Wedding, March, Flower”: Exclusive appeared first on Consequence.
Origins is our recurring series that gives artists a space to break down everything that went into their latest release. Today, Deerhoof dig into “Wedding, March, Flower,” the latest track off their upcoming album, Miracle-Level.
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, experimental indie rockers Deerhoof have released their latest single, a tender ballad titled “Wedding, March, Flower.” The track appears on Miracle-Level, their first album actually recorded in a studio. Sung in Japanese by drummer Greg Saunier, this piano-driven love song was co-written by Saunier with lyrics by bassist Satomi Matsuzaki.
As Saunier tells Consequence, he created the piano part while flirting with his partner Sophie in a video recorded for her. “No one had suggested we needed any tender piano ballads, but Sophie convinced me to show it to my bandmates anyway,” he recalls. “I was so touched when they were into it. The real kicker came when Satomi wrote lyrics. They were in Japanese, so when we first rehearsed it, I wasn’t even sure what I was singing, but Satomi had written a love song about a wedding.”
He continues, “Satomi and I ended our marriage over 10 years ago, and it hasn’t always been easy for any of us to keep the band going. Our songs have always been one way that we all process our feelings with each other. Co-writing and performing ‘Wedding, March, Flower’ with her was really intense.”
“Wedding, March, Flower” is soft-spoken and steady, with drawn-out vocals and sparse piano, a sharp contrast to the previously released upbeat singles “Sit Down, Let Me Tell You a Story” and “My Lovely Cat.” The ballad is driven by Saunier’s measured delivery, gently guiding listeners through his yearning. A low drum beat and minute guitar flourishes decorate the stripped-down ballad. Matsuzaki’s lyrics of weddings and ceremonies complement the serene instrumentals.
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Check out the music video for “Wedding, March, Flower” and read each band member’s recollection of how the song was made below.
Miracle-Level is out on March 31st; pre-orders are ongoing. Following the album’s release, Deerhoof will head out on a North American supporting tour. Grab your seats here.
John Dieterich:
This song was one of Greg’s early demos that I was most excited about. There were no lyrics yet, but it felt like something very deep was hidden in there, and there was an emotional weight when we were rehearsing it that was quite special. When we recorded it, everyone besides Ed and I were in separate rooms, but somehow that separation (and hearing everything as if with a microscope over headphones) made it feel even more intimate, almost private.
When I looked up at Greg at the end and saw him crying, I wasn’t surprised even if I didn’t know exactly why. There have been many times over the years that I’ve cried onstage, and I have wondered if anyone else noticed it. It can be just a perfect moment in the music, or sometimes it’s just feeling lucky that I get to play this music with these incredible people.
Satomi Matsuzaki:
I came up with the idea of making Greg’s demo into a wedding song when I was thinking about my friends getting married. We were going to be at the recording studio when they had their wedding ceremony. I am someone who likes making ceremonial songs. For example, “Basketball Get Your Groove Back” was written for the Beijing Olympics. I was hoping our song could serve as a replacement for some bad karaoke songs that usually get sung at Japanese weddings. I thought Greg’s melody was beautiful and expressed the patience required in a long relationship. Like at first, there is doubt and awkwardness, but after time has passed, becomes flowing and beautiful.
Ed Rodríguez:
Since it was such a unique experience for us to be in a recording studio, we all had our phones out, no plan, no discussions, just filming any moment that popped out to us. Like tourists trying to catch the moment the dolphins break the water. When we looked back through our footage it turned out that each of us had recorded this song! We put together this video from that moment of synchronicity.
Greg Saunier:
The video came together so strangely. We knew we wanted to put this out as our next single, but didn’t have a plan for a video. We brainstormed about a makeout video, maybe softcore porn. But that didn’t go very far. Then everybody checked their phones and cameras and by total coincidence, it turned out that everyone had footage of us doing the actual take of the song that you hear on the record. I had no idea there was a camera on me while I was playing the piano and when I was singing.
Deerhoof Share Origins of New Song “Wedding, March, Flower”: Exclusive
Grace Ann Natanawan
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