Glasgow’s Walt Disco share new single ‘Past Tense’

Glaswegian band Walt Disco have released their new single Past Tense via Los Angeles-based singles label IHC 1NFINTY. Past Tense is the follow-up to their explosive, moody goth anthem Strange to Know Nothing. Recorded at Glasgow’s Chem19 studio, home of seminal Scottish indie label Chemikal Underground (Mogwai, Arab Strap), the track was completed on a day off during the band’s busy touring schedule. The track sees vocalist James Potter’s soaring vocals sit atop a solid Blue Nile-esque groove which oozes grandeur.

Having gained notoriety for their drama-filled and unpredictable live shows, recently touring with the likes of Sports Team and opening for Interpol, Walt Disco’s blend of crooning vocals, angular guitars and dark shimmering synths is really something to behold.

The band have shared the video for the track. How do you say goodbye to someone you love? The video for Walt Disco’s Past Tense deals with coming to terms with the death of a friend. The story opens with Blaire, a twenty-something goth, at the gravestone of her recently deceased boyfriend, Drazen. As she awakens, a black balloon visits her and she attaches herself to it as a representation of her loved one. Over the course of the video, she lives her life as she would have with Drazen, oblivious to the balloon’s impact on the world around her. Eventually, she’s forced to come to terms with the reality of her situation and let go. 

Walt Disco said about the Past Tense music video: “It’s very touching that IHEARTCOMIX found so much meaning in our song that they wanted to use it to soundtrack such a moving tribute to their friend. Although the song was not originally written about grief I think it’s beautiful that IHC found their own meaning in it. That’s one of my favourite things about music, it’s so personal.“

Watch the video clip via YouTube below.

The latest chapter of the ongoing IHC 1NFINITY universe is a stand-alone short film directed and written by series creators Franki Chan & Jesus Antonio Rivera that picks up the story of the goth couple, Drazen and Blaire, several months after their last appearance. Serving as both a tribute to their friend and actor/comedian Gian Molina (Drazen), who tragically passed away in 2016 and a closure for his character inside the story, the video was a labour of love for all involved. Nina Tarr, the actress who plays Blaire, was Gian’s best friend in real life.

 As young artists from Scotland, the opportunity to release music with an American label so early in our career is the perfect first step for us to take towards reaching an audience outside the UK. 

Indebted to the rich history of Scottish 80s pop and post-punk bands they hold dearly, Walt Disco channel The Associates and Simple Minds, all whilst still firmly keeping one foot planted in the present day. Walt Disco are a band whose influences derive not from just music itself, but much more so from love, glamour and androgyny. Their music is a gateway to a space of lust, loss and everything in-between.  The band’s strong androgynous look has led them to be picked up for photoshoots with renowned photographer and former creative director of Dior and Yves Saint Laurent, Hedi Slimane, with frontman James Potter starring in the designer’s latest menswear campaign for Paris fashion house CELINE, ‘Polaroids Of A British Youth’ and their live show for Celine’s fashion show in Paris. 

Walt Disco live dates
07/25/19 – London, UK – Lion Coffee
07/27/19 – Topcliffe, UK – Deer Shed Festival 
07/28/19 – Kendal, UK – Kendal Calling Festival 
08/02/19 – Kent, UK – Neverworld Festival 
08/03/19 – Inverness, UK – Belladrum Tartan Heart
10/05/19 – Portsmouth, UK – Dials Festival at Wedgewood Rooms
10/12/19 – Manchester, UK – Neighbourhood Festival 
10/17/19 – Edinburgh, UK –  The Mash House 
10/18/19 – Dundee, UK – Church 
10/19/19 – Aberdeen, UK – Drummonds