Here’s something a little different. Californian experimental trio Xiu Xiu is cooking up an album inspired by David Lynch‘s 1977 body horror film Eraserhead. Out July 10, the album, titled “Eraserhead Xiu Xiu,” follows that band’s previous Twin Peaks-inspired release “Plays the Music of Twin Peaks.” You can listen to the Erasehead track, “In Heaven,” now. The song is a cover of the original track composed by Peter Ivers, with lyrics by the late David Lynch, performed by Laurel Near’s character, the Lady in the Radiator, and heavily featured in the film. The new LP features music played and recorded by Angela Seo and Jamie Stewart, and mastered by Alan Douches.
According to the band’s press release, Eraserhead Xiu Xiu is inspired by Alan Splet and Lynch’s original score and sound design. A film companion to the album is also in the pipeline.
In the new video for “In Heaven,” a montage of bizarre images and scenes unfold, from swarming insects to people dressed as cows, while drawings of old school torture and murder flash on the screen. It’s bizarre, I’ll give you that. Still, the song is atmospheric, moody, and foreboding. The vocalist sings about everything being “fine” in heaven, but the music makes me feel like it’s all a lie. Toward the track’s end, I can hear what sounds like glasses clinking together as a subtle wind sounds like it’s sucking up into the void. The song makes me feel uneasy, but I like it. I’d give the new album a shot when it drops on July 10, just for fun.
Xiu Xiu is playing a handful of shows in support of the new seven-track album, with stops in Tasmania, California, and British Columbia. You can check out the track listings for Eraserhead Xiu Xiu below:
Eraserhead Xiu Xiu:
01 Viento
02 Sleep Synth
03 Tetra
04 Steampipe
05 Smashy Smashy
06 Ether
07 In Heaven
Additionally, here are the band’s tour dates:
Xiu Xiu:
06-21 Hobart, Tasmania – Dark Mofo *
10-02 Los Angeles, CA – 2220 Arts + Archives *
10-03 Los Angeles, CA – 2220 Arts + Archives *
10-01 Vancouver, British Columbia – Vancouver International Film Festival
10-08 San Francisco, CA – Gray Area *