Suburb-ination, my devastation, live and die
Cul de sac violence, living in silence, in the customs of the time
In the somber lland of Connecticut, where the night whispers its mysteries like cicadas amidst the hellscape of Taco Bells and convenience stores, one finds Midnight Psychic, a duo whom you might guess is mysterious as their name suggests. Comprised of Jayson Munro, who both serenades the six-string and lends his vocal cords, and George Moore, who coaxes the deep, brooding tones from his bass, this pair conjures a sound that feels both familiar and eerily novel. By integrating programmed keys and the distinctive rhythm of an ’80s drum machine, they create an atmosphere reminiscent of a candlelit séance, held within a magic circle etched onto a linoleum floor.
Munro and Moore, more than bandmates, true comrades in arms, set forth on this musical journey with a clear vision. Their inspiration? The captivating, albeit unsettling, interplay of beauty within the remnants of what could playfully be called “the era of extreme commercial indulgence.” Midnight Psychic serves as a poignant yet incisive reflection on the unique era we find ourselves enmeshed in
They go on to aptly describe their music as “goth rock inspired by abandoned shopping malls, clown paintings, and window blinds.”
With their latest release, “Suburbination,” Midnight Psychic conjures all the doom and gloom of a thunderstorm brewing just after you’ve washed the car in the driveway. It artfully explores the themes of solitude and desolation set against suburban backdrops, portraying the introspective journey of growing up and facing the emptiness in once-familiar surroundings. Weaving together feelings of disconnection and longing through striking depictions of quiet streets and unfulfilled dreams, the lyrics poignantly lament the decline of community and personal identity, set against a canvas of silent longing and the search for a more profound meaning in life.
The band directed the song’s video clip themselves, with a little help from their friend David Brook. What unfolds is not the typical idealized version of America, but rather the dark underbelly that is often depicted in David Lynch’s films. “Suburbination” portrays a world where the streets are cracked, and dreams of being someone or something are easily shattered, demonstrating that even when living in the suburbs, one can still feel truly alone despite having neighbors living just next door.
“We tried to echo the thematics of the song with a kaleidoscopic array of unsettling suburban imagery shot in stark black-and-white,” they explain.
Watch the video for “Suburbination” below:
Midnight Psychic will be playing at this year’s Dark Spring Boston Festival on the 13th of April.
Find Suburbination on Bandcamp and Spotify!
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