Kills Birds Debut Video For “Cough Up Cherries”

Kills Birds debut video for "Cough Up Cherries." The track is off the Los Angeles band's LP Married, out November 12, on KRO/Royal Mountain
Kills Birds photo by Cheryl Georgette

Kills Birds are sharing their introspective and impassioned new single “Cough Up Cherries,” the third offering from their upcoming, sophomore album Married, out via Royal Mountain/KRO Records on November 12th. The band have recently confirmed several tour dates with Foo Fighters and Sleigh Bells for 2021 and 2022 and have also been confirmed to perform as part of The Great Escape’s First Fifty, the first round of the freshest and most exciting talent across the globe.

The new album was recorded at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 by invitation of the man himself, and produced by Yves Rothman. The newest single “Cough Up Cherries” arrives with an official video, directed by Brandon Somerhalder, that speaks directly to the forthcoming album, Married, as vocalist Nina Ljeti wears a wedding dress and veil. We see home movies being filmed, and a very domestic, isolated life — literally being put in a box (a TV screen) — juxtaposed with ferocious live performance scenes.

Vocalist Nina Ljeti explains “Cough Up Cherries” and says, “There are a lot of themes to Cherries, as it was written during the height of the pandemic in 2020. The song touches on feelings of loneliness, paranoia, and hopelessness that we all experienced. In addition, Cherries also addresses the identity crisis we all face in the digital age. What our performative personas are vs. who we really are when we’re left alone, and if in the midst of great injustice, we are actually able to hold our own selves accountable.”

Guitarist Jacob Loeb adds, “This song’s instrumentation reflects some of the layers of confusion and chaos that were felt by so many at the height of the pandemic. It’s music that we found at the apex of isolation and outrage. This song has a deeply ominous kick drum heartbeat that drives through the unnervingly twisted and interwoven guitar and bass parts that crescendo to a chorus that feels like an authentic expression of our collective rage at that height of that chaotic time. Bosh Rothman, who drummed on the record, brought some serious fire to the drum fills that close out the song.”

Fans of the band include Kim Gordon, Hayley Williams of Paramore and Dave Grohl, the latter of which recently invited the band to join Foo Fighters in Mexico City two days before the album’s release. The band will also be opening for Sleigh Bells on a nationwide US tour in October.

Pre-order Married by Kills Birds HERE

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