TV Girl + George Clanton’s 12/06/2024 record release party for their album Fauxllennium at New York City’s Baby All Right was exactly what you’d expect—eccentric, intense, and so much fun.

Over 7,000 people entered the lottery in hopes of getting on the guest list, with only 400-500 selected. This made it one of the strictest doors I’ve encountered on a night out. While waiting on line, I chatted with some diehard TV Girl and George Clanton fans I’d met while killing time at a bar across the street about an hour before. Some of them had been fans for years, citing both as inspirations for their own musical aspirations. One enthused about her favorite Clanton song, “Dumb,” from his 2018 album Slide.

Both TV Girl and George Clanton create music that might be broadly categorized under alt/indie electronic pop. While TV Girl leans more lo-fi indie—mixing anything from hip-hop beats to pulled samples from old records—Clanton maintains a strong connection with his vaporwave, electropop roots. Fauxllennium encapsulates these two musical styles, featuring songs like Summer 2000 Baby and Take a Trip, singles released this August and played at the show. Baby’s All Right perfectly reflects this musical juxtaposition—the upstairs, decorated as elegantly as other upscale city cocktail bars, contrasts against the dark, cavernous basement, where the artists perform on an elevated stage. A great choice for this show. It feels uniquely intimate. For instance, members of the audience rested their coats at the edge of the stage throughout the show. This intimacy especially shines through with performances from duos as simpatico as George Clanton and Brad Peterson, TV Girl’s frontman.

Though this pairing may at first seem dissonant, both their characteristic sounds melded together in symbiotic fashion. While on stage, Petering read as cool and collected, completely tuned in to the set. Clanton—jumping beside him in blacked-out sunglasses, a gray “ELECTRONICA” drawstring hoodie, and oversized jeans I was afraid he’d trip over—seemed to draw a vitality both out of him and the audience. Petering, in fact, attributed his dj skills to Clanton, whom he’s worked with since ~2015.

Their almost decade-long collaborative friendship was apparent on stage. They whispered to one another during the set, and more than once Clanton brought out drinks for the two of them. Later, Petering referred to Clanton as “America’s sweetheart,” and Clanton returned his affection by delicately twiddling his ear. It was a strange but enchanting chemistry.

During my favorite part of the show, Petering introduced a remixed version of Deee-Lite’s “Groove Is In The Heart,” singing over a blend of funky-techno. Next, he transitioned to The Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever,” which was met with cheers and recording iPhones from the crowd. Clanton cupped his hand to his ear, pursuing his lips into a tight smile, as if he was teasing the audience for its giddy response. It’s this playful boldness, as well as the, at times, delightfully unexpected song choices that made this show so engaging.

A bit before 2am, towards the end of the show, The Dare’s “You’re Invited” came on. For a moment, the audience hesitated and paused briefly. I wondered if this was because of some slight anticipation, or perhaps hope, that The Dare would make a surprise cameo, but perhaps it was simply the listeners’ puzzled reactions to a mood shift. After a beat, however, the audience bursted back to life, waving their arms and cheering with Clanton. In a pleasant turn of events, Petering and Clanton announced and performed their new song, “You’re Not Invited,” while alluding to a future collaboration with The Dare. I still can’t tell if this was a joke or not.

TV Girl and George Clanton live Baby’s All Right December 6 2024, photos by Lala May

The show closed with a fading remix of U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” Fans lingered around for a bit before the venue kicked almost everyone out. I was lucky enough to run into Frost Children, the opening dj act (they are playing Knockdown Center on New Year’s Eve), as well as the outgoing indie rock musician Anna James (aka Xarissa). Throughout the show, she stormed the stage to take photos with her boyfriend, Jason Wyman (TV Girl’s drummer), as his bandmate, Wyatt Harmon (TV Girl’s keyboardist), occasionally played maracas.

Harmon, Petering and I had a nice chat later on. They were also friendly and remarkably funny (see my writer’s note at the end). I talked with the two of them about touring troubles, the Wikipedia game, and the UHC shooter—an eclectic group of topics. Their remarks were as captivatingly idiosyncratic as you may expect, but I’ll keep those close to my chest.

In response to my prompting, Petering elaborated on the difference between playing for an audience on a stage like the one at Baby’s All Right, where the crowd looks neck-bent-upwards at the performers, and the venue he recently played in Miami, where he stood in the middle of the dance floor with the audience surrounding him on all sides. I gathered that he liked both for different reasons, and, ultimately, that he must have been drained from the quick succession of shows.

At some point, fellow journalist and photographer Lala May and I had the chance to banter a bit with Clanton. He told us about his ESPRIT 空想 alter ego, a past era of his which was greatly influenced by vaporwave trends. As he explained this, he swayed back and forth and chuckled sporadically, half with us and half at the memory of this persona. Then, suddenly, he broke away from our conversation to say goodbye to some friends with the same high energy he had just employed with us.

It’s this energy from Clanton—which lasted from the very beginning of the show right until the venue’s wrap up around 3am—paired with Petering’s laid-back charm and sampling expertise, that make the two enchanting to see on stage. The atmosphere they created somehow translated even to those who weren’t present in person—Clanton announced on stage that 400,000 people tuned into the show’s livestream.

TV Girl and Clanton’s exclusive record release show at Baby’s All Right definitely did not disappoint. I’m happy to have had the opportunity to attend and meet a lovely cast of characters. I look forward to listening to their new album, Fauxllennium, on repeat.

Writer’s Note: While writing this piece, I stumbled upon Petering and Clanton’s joint Reddit “Ask Me Anything” post, which made me audibly laugh multiple times. Petering and Clanton not only jive musically, their sarcastic, and at times sardonic, senses of humor play off each other. See Petering’s comment: “I can’t answer [any more] questions because I have to go sight-seeing in beautiful and historic MIAMI.” And Clanton’s follow up: “Me too.”

Words by Alexandra Mascarello

TV Girl and George Clanton live Baby’s All Right December 6 2024, photos by Lala May

order tickets for George Clanton HERE
order tickets for TV Girl HERE