“I Would Prefer Not To” — Italian Neo-Psych Outfit Modern Stars Debut Video for “Bartleby”

In an age where the mechanized rhythms of the workplace threatened to overshadow personal identity, one man’s quiet defiance becomes a beacon of the human spirit’s resilience against the crushing wheels of conformity. His act, intertwining the understated power of non-conformity with the intricate tapestry of his assertion of self-sovereignty, highlights the boldness inherent in the choice to stand apart from the norm.

With this in mind, Andrea Sperduti directs a captivating visual feast in the music video for Modern Stars’ “Bartleby,” starring Andrea Merolle. This piece is a journey into the depths of Herman Melville’s famed 1853 narrative, Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street. Set against the backdrop of a New York City law office, Melville’s story unfolds around Bartleby, a character who breaks the mold with his passive defiance, epitomized by his iconic response, “I would prefer not to.”

The track itself is an auditory phantasmagoria. It’s psychedelic, with an undercurrent of ominous tones and growling vocals that echo the name Bartleby. This Lychian soundscape feels like a spectral journey into one’s psyche. The video enhances this with its portrayal of its protagonist, Merolle, who navigates paperwork in the dim light, his face a canvas of complex emotions. These scenes are interspersed with red-hued shots of him leaning forward, intensifying the narrative.

Watch the video for “Bartleby” below:

“Bartleby” marks the first single off the Modern Stars’ fourth album, Termination. This Italian neo-psych rock band, consisting of Andrea Merolle, Barbara Margani, and Andrea Sperduti, and joined by Mario Bruni in 2023, has carved a niche in the music world with their unique sound. Their journey began with “Silver Needles” in 2020 and continued with “PsychIndustrial” in 2021, both under MiaCameretta Records. Their third album, “Space Trips for the Masses,” released in 2022 through Little Cloud Records, was lauded in various fanzines as one of the year’s best psych albums. Their latest, “Termination,” set to release on March 1, 2024, through Little Cloud Records, Sister 9 Records, and Clostridium Records, delves into the complexities of computer theory’s halting problem.

Termination is being released via Clostridium Record, Little Cloud Records, and Sister 9 Recordings, and will be out via CD, LP, and digital on March 1st, 2024.

Pre-Order Here
 

Follow Modern Stars:

• Facebook
  
• Instagram
• Bandcamp