Calva Louise have revealed the extraordinary cinematic sci-fi video for their new song "Under the Skin," and the news they have also signed to Mascot Records — home to P.O.D., VOLA, Defects, Conquer Divide, Dragged Under, 10 Years, and Oxymorrons.
Feast your eyes on the video for "Under the Skin" below.
Stream the song here.
Calva Louise are storming into 2024, playing Download Festival, 2000Trees, and Primordial General Mayhem. In May, they'll take on a 10-date co-headline tour of the U.S. with Vukovi and play So What!? Festival, Welcome to Rockville, and Sonic Temple. They'll also perform at Vainstream Rockfest (Germany) and Dynamo MetalFest (Netherlands). Calva Louise are gearing up for an explosive 2024, with even more shows on the horizon!
The British based band is truly international with its members hailing from across the globe and has been ripping through the U.K. underground for the past few years, driven by the creative vision of the Venezuelan songwriter Jess Allanic (Vocals/Guitar/Keyboard) along with French bassist Alizon Taho (Bass/Backing Vocals) and New Zealander Ben Parker (Drums/Backing Vocals).
BBC Radio 1's Alyx Holcombe declared them one of the "Artists You Need to Know in 2024." They've picked up airplay on BBC Radio 1, 6 Music, and Radio X. Metal Hammer highlighted them as a band proving that metalcore is back and more diverse and exciting than ever, hailing their "guitar licks with hellish screams."
"Under the Skin" was co-written by Jess Allanic and Pendulum's Gareth McGrillen and is a mesmerizing blend of raging metal riffs, swirling electronica, and Jess' extraordinary ability to flit between ethereal vocals and demonic howls. It swoons in and out of a stunning narrative, with melodic twists along the way that are punctured by an attack of hypnotic assertiveness.
This first single release is accompanied by Calva Louise's most ambitious music video production, including a sci-fi movie-style short film, telling a story about intertwined dimensions where the characters are looking to perpetuate their consciousness beyond the real world.
The lyrics of "Under the Skin" follow a complex sci-fi narrative and is the introduction of a conceptual storyline consisting of characters called "Travellers" and their counterparts called the "Doubles."
Allanic says, "The lyrics deal with the obstacles that arise in the human duality as one is looking for freedom and the other is looking to perpetuate their consciousness, but the expectations are not the same for both sides."
The music video shows the Travellers and their Doubles transporting energy capsules which they recovered from the Hybrids-Scorpions (the story's villains) to the Main Hologram Generator, the maker of the "Realworld."
The story focuses on one of the Doubles Vic, that betrayed Commander Jonnie, also a Double, and his crew composed of both Travellers and Doubles, after being infected (and therefore under the control) of a Hybrid-scorpion that sneaked into Jonnie's Hedron-Ship. Jonnie's plans had been interrupted due to the anticipated invasion of the Hybrids that kidnapped multiple Hedron-Ships back in the Mother-Hedron-Ship, where their city was built. Meanwhile, the infected Doubles began to abandon their counterpart Travellers and started to usurp their lives in the holographic "Realworld." The Hybrids then got a free pass to continue sucking the energy of the countless Travellers who had been getting trapped in the "Dreamworld."
The video is a feast for the eye and was directed, edited and with VFX by Allanic.
2023's mesmerising album Over The Threshold was a breakthrough moment for the band. They had built a formidable reputation on the live circuit, with sold-out shows across the U.K. It came off of the back of a headline performance on the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading and Leeds festival along with tours with the likes of Cassyette, Highly Suspect, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Death Valley Girls, and not to mention, electric performances at Riot Fest (U.S.) and SXSW (U.S.).
All their music videos form part of a larger science-fiction project that guides the Lore behind the songs, providing an immersive experience for the audience. The main concept of duality means the existence of two sides within the human experience: the avatars or "Travellers" fighting like THIRD CLASS CITIZENS to reach the energetic source of their willpower: the "Doubles."
In this story, there are foreign entities, the "Hybrid-Scorpions" (half organic and half machines), who steal life energy from both Travellers and Doubles. Their FEAST IS OVER when the stolen energy is retrieved and attached to weapon-like tools that they use (the Hedron-Bazookas), while the Hybrids have corrupted some Doubles (OPORTUNISTA). The Travellers' aim is to reach their Doubles with the help of the Commanders (SQUARE ONE), since they have been working for decades to unify both sides OVER THE THRESHOLD of duality.
Rock Sound called Third Class Citizen "a masterstroke in atmospheric songwriting and more than enough reason for you to keep your eyes firmly on the band this year."
Writing for Kerrang!, Boston's Manor's Henry Cox said, "I don't know how you'd even begin to describe them – they blend elements of punk and rock and electronica and indie and all sorts of stuff. It's a super-unique sound. Definitely give Calva Louise a go."
Talking about signing to Mascot Records, the band says, "We are honored to be part of the Mascot family, and with their help, we hope to keep developing a high level of immeasurable value for the distribution and promotion of our music around the world through a unique sound for our next album and for our live shows."
CALVA LOUISE ON TOUR:
5/8 — Carrboro, NC —Cat's Cradle Back Room*
5/9 — Atlanta, GA — The Masquerade Purgatory Stage*
5/11 — Daytona Beach, FL — Welcome To Rockville (FESTIVAL)
5/13 — Nashville, TN — The Basement*
5/14 —St. Louis, MO - Blueberry Hill — Duck Room*
5/16 —Ferndale, MI — The Loving Touch*
5/17 — Chicago, IL — Subterranean*
5/18 — Columbus, OH — Sonic Temple (FESTIVAL)
5/19 — Washington, DC — DC9*
5/21 — Philadelphia, PA — Kung Fu Necktie*
5/22 — Boston, MA — Brighton Music Hall*
5/23 — Brooklyn, NY — Baby’s All Right*
5/28 — L.A. CA — The Echo
6/2 — Fort Worth, TX — So What!? (FESTIVAL)
* WITH VUKOVI
