Photo by Naz Kawakami
In preparation for a UK tour with The Goa Express, New York’s Been Stellar have just released their new single, “Kids 1995”. A jubilant celebration of youth, the song’s title is taken from Larry Clark’s seminal film. It’s exactly the sort of music a late night romp through city streets lends itself towards. The tune reflects the ruleless odyssey portrayed in the movie, traversing a scorching 90’s New York summer. It contemplates innocence lost and the acceptance of life as it is.
Accompanying the track is a video consisting of interlaid visuals that bring Andy Warhol and the Velvet Underground to mind. Grainy B&W portraits of the band’s members pan from one television screen to the next, collaged with crisp clips of a live studio session, shots along the water, and multi channel vignettes. The video gives way to an explosion of quick cuts as the song reaches its cathartic climax.