Gifted with a talented vocalist, hooks as strong as the guitar work and, oddly enough, a world-renowned athlete on drums, LAGS are a cult favourite in the Italian punk scene and have recently been picking up some great attention from the likes of Stereogum, Consequence of Sound, Louder, The Line Of Best Fit, The 405, London in Stereo and more. They’ve also previously played/toured with the likes of Beach Slang, Delta Sleep, Screeching Weasel, Raein and have been selling out 200 – 500 cap venues over in Italy for their own headline dates. Today, we’re giving you the first look at their new music video for their latest single ‘Showdown’,
New album ‘SOON’ is out now via Casu Marzu Records / To Lose La Track / Fuzzy Cluster Records!
‘First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.’ Epictetus
Antonio Canestri (vocals/guitar) commented:
“‘Il Podista’ is the original name of the track – it was meant to be our first song in italian. Nevertheless, we let Casu Marzu Records (our UK and USA label) listen to a demo version of it: they loved the song and aked us to make an english version of it. We embraced the idea and ‘Showdown’ came to life. And it was so good that we decided to keep it in the new album tracklist.
The lyrics of the song are about the odd and common sensation of not being able to truly be yourself, because you spend most of your time and energy meeting someone else’s expectations. It’s like a constant rush towards something, and the only thing you are aware of is that you’re shedding parts during the run. In the end, in the showdown with yourself.
The music video deals with these themes showing a very unique character: a man that drops his “daytime mask” and brings to life the most real, free and beautiful side of him. His feminine side. The character portraited in the video – interpreted by KastaDiva Queen – is a performer that theatrically expresses his true nature only for few hours, but maybe the real performance starts when he puts back on his masculine mask and outfit in everyday life. One person and two identities not to allow to compete, so that none of them will ever feel like a runner up.
“Today my plan is a showdown with no rage”.
Besides Kastadiva Queen, we would like to thank the italian associations INDIE PRIDE and SPARWASSER for their opennes to dialogue and collaboration, and most of all for their dedication and commitment to defend the rights of the LGBT world.”
Video credits:
Produced by CUT& editing and more. Directed by Stefano Pedretti, DOP Bruno Cipriani.
Thanks to Park Hotel Sabina for the Location.Starring: Bruno Gagliano / KastaDiva
Directed by: Stefano Pedretti
DOP: Bruno Cipriani
Editing: Valentina Grossi
Assistant Editor: Antonio Canestri
Color Correction: Stefano Pedretti
A CUT& editing & more production
Thanks to Park Hotel Sabina – Magliano Sabina (RI), Lucia Iuorio, Margherita Carletti, Luca de Santis.
Special thanks to Indie Pride and Circolo Arci Sparwasser for the support.
Music by LAGS. Lyrics by Luca de Santis and Antonio Canestri.
“Anthemic . . . a sound reminiscent of bands like Hot Water Music, BoySetsFire, and Sparta, as singer Antonio Canestri delivers the lyrics with a powerful rasp.” – Consequence of Sound
“There are clear parallels with the dark post-punk of contemporaries such as Protomartyr, though LAGS also share their encompassing soundscape with the likes of current favourites Spielbergs.” – The Line Of Best Fit
Architects of intense contrast the band’s powerful instrumentation regularly flirts with the fragility and weight of the emotionally driven lyrics, flitting between huge anthem-to-be, shout along vocals, intricate guitars and decisive drum work. From the immediate and incendiary opener ‘Knives and Wounds’, to the hook heavy vocals of ‘Echoes’, right through to the emotive and climactic LP closer ‘I Still Remember’, the new record places its focus squarely on power, melody and understated complexity. With a nod towards classic Dischord, 90s post-hardcore and anthemic 00s indie-punk, whilst calling to mind the likes of ‘After The Eulogy’-era BoySetsFire, At The Drive-In, DeSoto, METZ and Self Defense Family, it’s safe to say that long-time fans, and fans anew, will not be disappointed.
Thematically, the new album is about arrivals and departures, losses and conquests, and illnesses and healings. Full of deeply honest lyrics ‘SOON’ is a cathartic and self-realising record with moments of surprising uplift. Speaking about the record, frontman Antonio Canestri says, “Soon is a word inextricably linked to the present. It suggests immediacy, but also anticipation and uncertainty about arriving safe and sound to some place that can be either extremely beautiful or extremely painful.”
Incredibly sentimental and sonically accomplished, the new album sees LAGS hone familiar expressions from their debut into refined, darker aesthetics that give their direct sound renewed vigour. ‘SOON’ is a brazen statement of intent and a chance to prove their true prowess having spent the last few years writing and touring. LAGS are climbing steadly, gunning for soft spots and proving that they should be anything but a well-kept secret.
‘SOON’ will be released on ltd. edition cassette as well as vinyl, CD and across all digital platforms. Following the album’s release, the band will head back out on the road playing dates across Italy as well as heading overseas to play their first UK dates.
