If you hark back to the early 2010s Australian indie rock scene, there's no way the name Philadelphia Grand Jury wouldn't be mentioned. The band's 2009 album Hope Is For Hopers was a huge hit and saw the trio support the likes of indie legends Franz Ferdinand, Manchester Orchestra as well as play stints on Australia's biggest music festivals, Splendour In The Grass, Laneway Festival and Falls Festival.
Now over 10 years later, the trio are back with their trademark charming indie rock in the form of the bounding track Nervous Breakdown, following the release of two singles last year.
We're super stoked to be premiering the song's peppy music video this morning, a colourful animated clip which captures the song's energy in adorable fashion.
The video was directed by Erin McBean, who amazingly taught herself how to animate during lockdown, using artist Luke Arnold's illustrations.
The band state, "Erin taught herself to animate during Covid. Her background is film production, in particular documentaries, so it was a pretty wild ride watching it come together. She's a real badass boss woman. After working with Luke on the art for last year's single $10k, once we finished Nervous Breakdown we were desperately hoping he would say yes to working with us again. His art basically says everything we think, but before we think it and in a much better way.”
Of the song, singer Simon Berckelman says, "Just to be clear, we wrote this song about a year ago, right when the world was heading full charge into oblivion without even realising it. Of course, it seems perfect for it to be coming out right now and I’m cool with that. I guess the song is a combo of that anxiety only being in love can really create and how that gets mixed up with everything else into a big old crazy blender.
"At the same time as getting it all off my chest, I can’t help but ask myself if it’s valid and if anyone else even has any interest in hearing about it? Am I simply lucky to have the time to be preoccupied with my own inner most feelings?"
It's a big mood for today's uncertain days, but most of all we're happy to see Philadelphia Grand Jury back and bringing us some bops.
