Kate Clover has announced her new EP, Channel Zero, will drop on May 14th. The album was produce by Brandon Welchez for Crocodiles. Ahead of it’s arrival, Clover has shared the single “Love You To Death.” A throwback to the mid 80s Los Angeles garage/punk sound, which is definitely a good thing.

Clover takes her inspiration from X, Germs, and The Gun Club, to the glamorous destitution of the downtown streets, Clover is inspired by the city that raised her, exploring the intricacies of self-discovery, self-creation, and self-preservation in the place where dreams are born to die. With the live-wire energy and crackling force of defiant fists raised in the air, Clover’s music is the rallying cry of a natural born killer. Leading an ace band of rangy, rowdy boys, Clover cuts an electric figure–a next-gen underground hero for the would-be believers.

With Patti Smith and Iggy Pop as her artistic North Stars, Clover mastered three chords and defected to art school, where she learned to play “Chinese Rocks” by Johnny Thunders, and wrote her first song. She cut her teeth playing in various projects but was determined to go solo, seeking independence and total control. In 2019 she parted ways with her former bands and was in search of a new start. In need of self-discovery and an escape from her life in America, she headed to Mexico City to write. A four day trip turned into four months, as Clover decided to stay and record her album. Upon her return to the US she assembled a band and quickly carved out a space for herself in the LA scene. Earning a rep for explosive live shows, Clover spent 2019 hitting the road with Death Valley Girls, Crocodiles, King Dude and SadGirl. After independently releasing her first single last year, Clover’s first offering of 2020 is a new mix of “Channel Zero” by Carlos de la Garza (Cherry Glazerr, Bleached, Paramore, Wolf Alice) ahead of an upcoming EP.

Clover has always been attracted to the otherness of west coast counter-culture– the gritty innocence of the saintly barbarians and dissatisfied kids around her. But it was her brother’s copy of photographer Glen E. Friedman’s book ‘Fuck You Heroes,’ where Clover first saw herself, reflected back in the energy and intensity of his punk-rock images. “I didn’t know what any of it meant yet,” she explains. “I was attracted to the rebellion I felt I shared with the subjects of his work. I connected to the bravery.” Within those photos, Clover’s nascent unrest found a cause to cling to. Weekends at the beach turned to weekends going to shows. “I would go home in a cab smiling, covered in sweat, spit, and beer. I found where I belonged.” Determined to enter the fraternity of the artist, she submerged herself in the salvation of rock ‘n’ roll.

What was the inspiration for the song–lyrically, musically?

I really like the juxtaposition of a super doo-wop sounding song with darker lyrics. The Misfits are masterful at that. The subject matter of doo-wop songs are generally about desire and love. I thought it would be funny to sing from the point of view of a murderer.

How did the song come together, musically?

This song came together very quickly. Brandon Welchez and I were sitting around playing guitar and we began writing it as a joke. It made us laugh so we fleshed it out within an hour. The recording process was just as fluid and fun. We recorded it down in Mexico City at Vesubio Studios. Our friend Johnny Davilla (Davilla 666) sings back ups in the chorus and before he sang his part he let out a very excited “wooooooooo”. It made us all crack up so we kept it in the song. You can hear it in the first verse.

Were there any artists or songs you referenced for inspiration for the track / recording?

The Misfits, The Chordettes song, Mr. Sandman and X. Vocally I was very inspired by Exene Cervenka.