Synth-pop duo Saint Marilyn share their new video,“Standard,” off their forthcoming EP, Tangle. The video was directed and edited by Che Houston, half of Saint Marilyn. Blackbook exclusively premiered the “pointedly feminist” video, praising it, stating, “It could not be more timely, certainly, as the entertainment biz scandals that led to #MeToo had already glaringly revealed.” Tangle is due out May 18th via Really Great Gum (pre-order here).
In the Spring of 2017, Saint Marilyn’s Che Houston and Kevin Marksson quit their day jobs and holed up in their shared Bushwick practice space to write a debut record. The duo spent the better part of the summer writing and rewriting lyrics and music, exploring new ideas and refining songs already in live rotation.
Self-producing and recording with friends, Houston and Marksson stripped their music back to it’s essential layers—melodies, drums, and bass—before adding their signature synthesizers to the mix. Eventually the band enlisted the help of Chris Coady, whose seasoned abilities as a mix engineer for synth-driven rock bands like Future Islands and Beach House made him the perfect partner to complete the team’s creative vision.
The resulting EP, Tangle, is a tightly focused synthpop journey centered on themes of female identity, emotional isolation, and self-worth. Saint Marilyn’s Tangle will be available through streaming, digital download, and cassette via Really Great Gum on May 18th, 2018.
Produced by Saint Marilyn. Mixed by Chris Coady at Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, CA. Engineered by Will Tendy at Greenpoint Recording Company, Brooklyn, NY. Additional engineering by Gary Atturio at Studio G, Brooklyn, NY. Mastered by Heba Kadry at Timeless Mastering, Brooklyn, NY. All songs written and performed by Saint Marilyn. Drums and additional percussion performed by Will Haywood Smith. Artwork by Gayla Martin.
Saint Marilyn – Standard (Official Music Video)
Saint Marilyn is a Brooklyn-based synthpop duo consisting of Che Houston (vocals, synths, drums) and Kevin Marksson (bass guitar, synths). Having flirted with the idea of starting a band together since college, Houston and Marksson began collaborating as a drums-and-guitar power duo in late 2013 before experiments with vintage synthesizers led to new sounds, a new name, and regular performances at New York City venues and DIY spaces.
The band quietly self-released demos throughout 2015, eventually entering the studio with producer Josh Benash (Kiss Kiss) in late 2016 to record a debut single, “Frustrate Me”. Borrowing equally from new wave and modern electronic music, the resulting track garnered critical praise, with outlets like Earmilk and Indie Shuffle lauding it’s hazy synths and sultry vocals.
Saint Marilyn continued to perfect their new music in front of live audiences—enlisting drummer Will Haywood Smith for performances—and once again entered the studio in the summer of 2017 to record six new tracks. Combining their synth-driven pop sensibilities with the indie rock inspirations of their earliest work, the band sought the help of seasoned mix engineer Chris Coady (Future Islands, Beach House, Porches) to shape the songs into a debut EP, Tangle.
TOUR DATES 04/06 – BSP – Kingston, NY 04/11 – Elsewhere – Brooklyn, NY 05/19 – Alphaville (Release Show) – Brooklyn, NY
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Photo Cred: Jacque Donaldson
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