Imagine a pivotal scene in your favourite show, where the protagonist strolls down the street, lost in thought, on the cusp of realizing their untapped potential and readiness to face the world.
This sets the scene for In Real Life, today’s release (via Artoffact Records) from Vancouver post-punk ensemble ACTORS, featuring Jason Corbett on vocals, Shannon Hemmett on synth, Kendall Wooding on bass, and Adam Fink on drums.
Crafted by Corbett, the song unfurls with a cinematic aura over its three-minute and fifteen-second duration. In Real Life elegantly layers ominous rhythms with celestial synth tones and strategic electric guitar, while robust bass lines and relatable lyrics fill the spaces in between. It’s a soundtrack tailor-made for television.
The song’s narrative delves into the heartache of misplaced trust and the inescapable weight of reality, where fading memories clash with the tender yet treacherous touch of betrayal. Amidst the turmoil, the protagonist stands resilient, preparing for the onslaught of emotional turmoil, encapsulated in a relentless cycle of hope and despair, waiting for what seems like an eternity, only to confront the inevitable pain.
“Writing and recording music is a kind of creative dance,” muses Corbett. “You don’t always know who’s leading. You just do your best to listen and not get in the way. In Real Life is the beginning of another chapter of the ACTORS journey.”
The music video for In Real Life is a striking film noir masterpiece, presenting a cinema verité perspective that draws us into the night-shrouded city streets in pursuit of a young girl. As she navigates the urban labyrinth, her simple act of eating an apple takes on an eerily ominous quality, as if the fruit were plucked directly from the Tree of Knowledge itself, foreboding the looming loss of innocence that occurs as the dreams of youth fade into memory. This imagery, rich with allegorical undertones, heightens our concern for her safety and well-being. Protect her at all costs.
Watch the video for “In Real Life” below:
ACTORS began by releasing a string of popular singles, starting with “Post Traumatic Love” in 2012 and building a dedicated fanbase while eschewing a debut album release for the band’s first six years of existence. In 2018, the Jason Corbett-led foursome signed with Toronto-based Artoffact Records and released its long-awaited debut, It Will Come to You, quickly becoming one of the marquee acts on the label and following with their sophomore release ‘Acts of Worship‘ in 2021. Corbett writes, produces, mixes, and masters all ACTORS music at his own Vancouver studio, Jacknife Sound.
Find the new single, “In Real Life” on Bandcamp below:
ACTORS have spent the last several years touring the USA, Canada, and Europe, while hitting many of the best-loved festivals, including Amphifest, Wave-Gotik-Treffen, Cold Waves, Substance, Death Disco, Verboden and many more.
ACTORS TOUR DATES:
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