Brooklyn drag superstar Merrie Cherry was instantly sold on the idea of appearing in the music video for Brooklyn indie rock band Beach Fossils' music video for “Saint Ivy" (the second single from their upcoming album Somersault) upon hearing these particularly striking lines:
"Wanna believe in America
But it's somewhere I can't find"
The song features the band's signature atmospheric lo-fi sound and lead vocalist Dustin Payseur's drawling vocal style, but with their usual "sun-stunned drift" slightly energized by lush strings and a flute solo section that radiates warmth. It amounts to a subtle and contemplative personal take on America's current political turbulence:
'If you find a reasonI'll be gone in a matter of timeThis was your decisionOh you got me in a state of mindI wish that there could be another wayBut I know that you've been on your mindYou know there's nothing left for me to sayThat won't change your mind this timeHow to find a reasonTelevision and another headlineDon't believe in JesusHeaven knows I'm wasting my timeWanna believe in AmericaBut it's somewhere I can't find'
Lyrics: Genius
The accompanying music video appears to directly contradict the song's understated pessimism by assembling a decidedly diverse cast of Brookyln and Lower East Side inhabitants: ballerinas, b-boys, drag queens, senior citizens, construction workers, policemen etc. The are subtle visual cues that point to the band's political message as well: "#notmypresident" grafitti on the wall and the band standing against a giant, slightly shabby American flag composed of neon lights. The music video's directors, Joey Chriqui and Milah Libin, clearly realized their intentions in a powerful and compelling manner:
"In uncertain times, we turn to New York City as a reassuring look into the true diversity of this country. We set out to create a vision of NYC that demonstrates a more honest and nuanced understanding of what it means to live here. This video represents the less visible places and characters that exist in beautiful harmony both in this city, and in America".
