Premiere: Niloo - Funny Face
Today we are very excited to be premiering the debut video for the debut single from Victoria artist, Niloo who’s experimental spin on dream-pop takes inspiration from both western alternative-folk and Persian musical traditions. The video is for a song called “Funny Face” that invites the listener in with an airy, dream-like quality that becomes intoxicating as the song whirls on. The feel of the track is so soothing and fresh that at its end, it’s hard not to be slightly dazed and unsure of what just happened… like awakening from a dream.
Repeat listens (which we recommend) reveal a song that merges dream-pop with psychedelia, built on a catchy melody formed by a pulsing rhythm section and shimmering guitar, with subtle synths and warping tape distortions. Lyrically, Niloo sings about about stumbling through your own path in life without taking yourself too seriously.
Some back and forth correspondence with Niloo (full name: Niloo Farahzadeh) helped us uncover some more about one of the most impressive debuts we can remember in a long time.
Cups N Cakes: Tell us a bit about “Funny Face”
Niloo: “I wrote it in 2018 and was originally hoping to release it with a band I had been playing with at the time, LOOELLE. But the song felt so personal to me and didn’t fit that project’s dreamfolk repertoire. I finally recorded it in February of 2020 at the beautiful Risque Disque studio, in collaboration with my friends Shilo Preshyon (Cartoon Lizard), Jen Yakamovich (Troll Dolly) and Billy Young (Isness).”
CNC: And what about the video? How did that come together?
Niloo: “The imperfect but inevitable timing of the pandemic forced us to get creative in making the music video. I teamed up with filmmaker Ali Calladine, who shot it as a single person director and crew. The majority of the video was shot in the neighbourhood of Fernwood, Victoria and features friends and community members in their respective ‘bubbles’. The visuals of the video capture the vibrancy and drive of the music, while the action follows the main character, who searches the neighborhood in hopes of finding the source of this strange music.”
CNC: Finally, we really enjoyed this track, can we expect more music soon?
Niloo: “Yes I'm currently working on an EP that I'm hoping to release in the fall!”
Enjoy “Funny Face” below: