Dreamy Post-Punk Ensemble Sculpture Club Return with New Single “Cursed or Hexed”

Sculpture Club, a band that has relentlessly honed their jagged punk sound over the years, now reaps the fruits of their labour. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Echo & The Bunnymen and The Cure, their captivating evolution now cleverly incorporates acoustic guitars and violins, chorus-soaked basslines and blown-out leads.

Their latest offering, “Cursed or Hexed,” heavily channeling the echoing guitars of The Cure with the jangling (and sardonic) charm of Belle and Sebastian, The Spinto Band, Badly Drawn Boy, and Camera Obscura, is a tune about the pitfalls of pigeonholing one’s personality into neat compartments and labels.

“When I first wrote these songs I was in a place with music where I was overthinking everything and shooting myself in the foot,” admits Chaz Costello (Choir Boy, Fossil Arms), who fronts the band. “It was mid-pandemic and all I had was time to analyze everything I had ever done or said or created. So to counteract I tried to turn my brain off or set simple parameters for the music and just try to tap into the feeling. What the songs actually felt like and following that rather than pushing them into what they “should” feel like.”

The song presents itself with a playful and tongue-in-cheek reflection, a wry commentary on the artifice of maintaining a facade. The lyrics danced upon the surface, teasing at the masks we wear and the roles we play to fit into society’s expectations. The music mirrored this light-hearted approach, catchy and infectious, inviting listeners to join in the charade.

But as the melody unfolds, the tone shifts, and the song takes an unexpected descent into the depths of the human psyche. The layers of irony and humor peeled away, revealing the raw vulnerability and hidden struggles beneath the surface. The facade shatters, exposing the pain, fear, and loneliness that lurks in the shadows. The song morphs into an unsettling mirror, reflecting the inner turmoil and complexities of human emotion.

“That thought process can really send you into a bad spiral if you let it. You start losing yourself in trying to identify yourself. You really start to feel like you’re Cursed. But ultimately you have to accept it and enjoy it. There’s nothing else you can do. A concept I’m still getting used to,” he concludes.

The song’s video takes a charming leap back to the twee stylings of the early 2000s, fondly nodding at the classic opening credits of “Napoleon Dynamite” and other kindred indie films and music videos from that era. In a clever artistic twist, the lyrics are brought to life through a series of construction paper collages, evoking the innocent nostalgia of high school locker decorations. With simplicity and creativity, this DIY approach infuses the video with warmth.

Watch the video for “Cursed of Hexed” below:

Since their inception in 2016, Sculpture Club has experienced their fair share of ups and downs. Early on, they garnered attention as party-punks, throwing unforgettable glitter-coated shows. The energy they exuded was like cannon-blasting confetti onto the eager crowd, leaving lasting memories.

Beyond the spectacle, however, Sculpture Club was quietly crafting a rock ‘n’ roll experience that was truly “all-in.” Their commitment to this distinctive style set them apart from their peers and laid the foundation for the band’s confident growth and evolution. Costello lent his magic touch to the ensemble with sparkly, driving guitar melodies and irresistibly thunderous drum beats.

The Cursed Single is out on September 22nd, 2023.

Pre-Order Here

Pulsating with open-hearted melodies that resonate with a tender hue, Sculpture Club weaves a musical tapestry that effortlessly spans from their darkly wandering experiments to their glittery party past. Embracing this duality, they skillfully transition into a state of shimmery melancholy, allowing themselves a well-deserved, albeit momentary, resting posture. After nearly a decade of pouring their hearts into every stage they’ve had the chance to visit, it’s a natural evolution for a band that has fearlessly explored the depths of their artistry.

Sculpture Club will be making their way around the Midwest and East Coast throughout the rest of the summer. Catch them below!

Sculpture Club Tour Dates:

• 7/25 – Louisville, KY – Rosetta Chapel
• 7/26 – Chicago, IL – New Rose
• 7/27 – Detroit, MI – Outer Limits*
• 7/28 – Colombus, OH – Woodlands*
• 7/29 – Washington, DC – Black Cat*
• 7/30 – Philadelphia, PA – Silk City
• 7/31 – Richmond, VA – Banditos
• 8/1 – Asheville, NC – Static Age Records
• 8/3 – Gainesville, FL – Portal 4 Records
• 8/5 – New Orleans, LA – Gasa Gasa

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