See the Deslondes as Kids in Charming ‘Muddy Water’ Video
The Deslondes‘ take on country relies on a gritty, grimy mix of early rock ‘n’ roll and lo-fi R&B, so it’s appropriate that the New Orleans band’s new single would go full-on swamp music. In concept, anyway: “Muddy Water,” which debuts today with a new video directed by Joshua Shoemaker, is the first glimpse of their sophomore record, Hurry Home.
Written and sung by Riley Downing, “Muddy Water” doesn’t actually fit the band’s newly rock-leaning form. The opening track of the 13-song album, it’s a languid, simmering acoustic ballad colored by nostalgia and the stifling humidity of a Louisiana summer. “‘Muddy Water’ is just a few memories written from kids’ perspectives about growing up outside of a small town on an old farm, running around with my brothers, cousins and friends,” says Downing.
The video, shot along the Mississippi River, has a surreal Stand By Me vibe, centering around a group of young boys who play dead ringers for the members of the Deslondes. They ride their bikes and carouse around a campfire as the shots jump back and forth to the grown-up band sitting around a kitchen table.
“We had a little casting help from my wife, Christiane, who had a friend in the neighborhood with a kid,” recalls Dan Cutler. “As it turned out, he and his four closest buddies just happened to bear a remarkable resemblance to the Deslondes. So it was all meant to be.”
Hurry Home, produced by Adrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes), is the follow-up to their 2014 self-titled debut and is out June 23rd on New West Records. The Deslondes head out on tour June 6th, starting in Austin, Texas.