South African dream pop sensation Bye Beneco are back with their new synth-pop dance track “Red Dress”. It has been released today (25 June 2021).
This SAMA (South African Music Awards) nominated group have, across three successful European tours, seen immense success playing renowned international festivals, namely, twice at Barcelona’s leading arts festival Primavera Sound.
The outfit, led by alluring frontwoman Lenny-Dee now, have recently been picked up by Netherlands-based booking agency EarthBeat, who don’t flaunt much else quite like this neo-disco pop outfit. This international procurement is a big deal for a South African band who already intend to make Berlin their new home in the near future.
Lenny-Dee of Bye Beneco comments on the process
“This song is destined and dedicated to dancing hard when we can do that again. The circling instrumental chorus is somewhat of a meditation to me. I had strong feelings about endless roads and wide open spaces that at the time of writing, could not be imagined as filled with life.”
The accompaniment of the satiably captivating music video is thanks to director Dune Tilley. The young artist made his name exclusive photographing for the ZEF duo Die Antwoord when he was only 19.
Dune Tilley comments on the video for “Red Dress”
“After coming on board to film the music video and hearing the song, I couldn’t help but think of the sonic similarity between Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks and the feeling ‘Red Dress’ gave me. When I think of Nicks I think about a witch and the world created around one. I conveyed this to the band and it was something they had already taken onboard in their creative vision.”
“I thought of the film ‘Suspira’, about a coven of witches who parade as a ballet ensemble, using it as a way to perform their rituals. After speaking to choreographer (Ceclie Lassonde) and seeing her work which is quite ritualistic in its style, it was a beautiful marriage.”
“Allowing Cecile to communicate visually through repetitive movements in different locations allowed me to create a transitory device that would connect those locations. Then there is the other character. This faceless mask, embodied by South African performance artist Jessica Doucha, manifests itself in the Bye Beneco universe, appearing in several videos and live performances.”
Watch the video for “Red Dress” below:
You can download / stream Bye Beneco‘s “Red Dress” HERE.
More info about Bye Beneco
Welcome to the ever-shifting electric charge and most promising live act from South-Africa: Bye Beneco. You’re looking through a sparkling kaleidoscope of dreamy indie-pop, laced with cosmic-disco and neon psychedelic sounds flickering like the glittery eyeshadow you wore to the party. The band’s live performances are visually lustrous and alluring, wrapping themselves around you like a threesome with Barbarella and Ziggy Stardust.
Bye Beneco, who have shared the stage with Allah-Las, Moonchild Sanelley, MGMT, opened for an entire Ben Howard tour and played each of South Africa’s most prestigious festivals, have independently released a succession of singles in the last two years. ‘It’s Not True Love’, ’I’m Not The One’ & ‘Baby I’m Gold’ ft. MISSU’ have been featured on Apple Music’s ‘Best of the Week’ playlists and Spotify ‘New Music Friday’ playlists across 25 countries, including UK & USA. The band get a lot of love in the eye of the international press.
German sub-culture heavy-weight Kaltblut Magazine hosted an exclusive world premier of their cosmic-disco single ‘It’s Not True Love’ in late 2019 and the single reached #2 on the worldwide Indie Shuffle Chart. Furthermore they have been shown off by many international media like Rolling Stone, Redbull, VEVO France, Wolf in a Suite (USA), Riptide Magazine (FR), Highclouds (BE), The Daily Indie (NL) and even traditional media features like a half page spread in the Sunday Times (UK).
Watch this space for updates in the Music Videos category on SA Music Zone.
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