Chicago duo [melter] launches 'Catwalk' video, addressing personal struggles

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The Chicago-based duo [melter] , comprised of Jax Allos and Robert Hyman, has unveiled its latest video, “Catwalk”, a visual representation of personal torment. The release follows their July single, “blacklist”, and marks the continuation of a busy year that includes a recent tour with Hemlock for Socrates and the launch of their “Imperfect Waves Remix” EP.

[melter] is now preparing for the upcoming Imperfect Waves Tour across the US East Coast.

Initially, vocalist and lyricist Jax Allos hadn’t intended to address the heavy subject of suicide in “Catwalk” publicly. However, with the release coinciding with National Suicide Prevention Month, Jax decided to share more about the song’s origins: “What really helped me in that moment was writing down my thoughts and feelings, and eventually I crafted those into lyrics. [melter] entered my life at a pivotal time. ‘Catwalk’ was the first [melter] song I wrote lyrics for, and what started as a very difficult, challenging subject ultimately became a positive experience.[melter] made me feel welcome and really helped me find my voice. It has allowed me to reconnect with those aspects of my life that I needed so badly and, in its way, it saved my life.”

Known for blending industrial, dark alternative rock, punk, and noise, [melter] shifts their sound in “Catwalk” towards a moodier, post-punk style, reminiscent of The Cure’s albums “Pornography” and “Disintegration”. Drummer and multi-instrumentalist Rob Hyman from his side says this: “highlights the unique musical approach, describing the track as ambient, driven by piano sounds and a heavy, rumbling rhythm.“Within our repertoire, ‘Catwalk’ has an ambient feel – it’s dreamier and more abstract. The music for ‘Catwalk’ excited me. The rhythmic track is built off of piano sounds, believe it or not, and it has this overwhelming rumble to it that I really wanted to hear blasted over a PA at high volume.”

The video for “Catwalk” was entirely self-produced by the duo during a break between tours. Hyman envisions the visuals as a slow, introspective experience with blurred faces and deliberate movement. Jax Allos echoed these sentiments, adding that the intense color scheme was designed to reflect the internal struggle portrayed in the lyrics: “It’s an uncomfortable subject, and I hope the video conveys those feelings of desolation and resilience.”

[melter] Imperfect Waves Tour 2024 Dates

20 Sept: Lake Worth Beach, FL – Nights in Necropolis @ Propaganda
21 Sept: Tampa, FL – New World Brewery
23 Sept: Ypsilanti, MI – Ziggy’s
24 Sept: Pittsburgh, PA – Poetry Lounge
26 Sept: Philadelphia, PA – Sanctorium @ The Fire
27 Sept: Providence, RI – Fete Music Hall
28 Sept: Harrisburg, PA – JB Lovedraft’s Micropub
29 Sept: Richmond, VA – Fallout RVA

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Bernard Van Isacker is the Chief Editor of Side-Line Magazine. With a career spanning more than two decades, Van Isacker has established himself as a respected figure in the darkwave scene.

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