
FRENSHIP – James Sunderland and Brett Hite – have dropped their music video for new single “Wanted A Name” feat. Yoke Lore. The video features acclaimed actress Millicent Simmonds (A Quiet Place, Wonderstruck), who is deaf, delivering an emotionally powerful performance of the song in American Sign Language (ASL). Millicent’s presence is spellbinding against the serene, expansive natural setting, as she captures the song’s soaring melody and rousing energy with ASL. Watch the video, directed by Eliza Brownlie now below.
“Wanted A Name” feat. Yoke Lore is the first taste of FRENSHIP’s forthcoming album (Counter Records – part of the Ninja Tune family).
Brett and James of FRENSHIP were inspired to create the video after learning about requests for an ASL interpreter to sign their performance for their Deaf fans at Lollapalooza 2018. Wanting to deliver something special for this often-overlooked community in music, they reached out to Millicent, whom they admired from her work in the 2018 film A Quiet Place. They were amazed at how this talented young actress could be so emotive without speaking a single word, so they asked her to collaborate with them on a video that could raise awareness about how Deaf people experience and express themselves through music.
“She really brought the video to life and highlighted the Deaf community in a way that we are so happy to be a part of,” says FRENSHIP, “It’s really cool seeing two languages play out on screen-ASL and English, one seen and one heard. This video is about the co-existence of those two languages and bringing the deaf music experience to a wider audience.”
“I hope this video gives people some insight into how Deaf people feel about music and how we experience music. Music can be visual as well as audible. I love this song and am so honored that FRENSHIP asked me to be a part of it,” says Millicent.
Rousing and undeniable, the propulsive sonics and soaring melody of “Wanted A Name” feat. Yoke Lore give way to musings on if the elusive feelings of love, acceptance and validation will ever be re-captured. FRENSHIP, who bring their diverse inspirations to wide-angle pop songs marked by warm vocal harmonies and unshakeable hooks, wrote “Wanted A Name” after their very first headline tour where they had experienced their biggest audiences yet. The sudden shift of returning to the quiet of home away from the electrifying energy of the crowds night after night served as a spark of inspiration. The song ponders the idea of going back to the pure essence of their creativity and explores the drive to keep finding those magical lightning-in-a-bottle moments in life. PRESS HERE to watch the acoustic video for the track, which has received early love from SiriusXM AltNation, Billboard, Alternative Press, Ones to Watch, Baeble and was featured on Spotify’s New Music Friday in 23 countries and Apple Music’s Best of the Week in 36 countries as well as key Pandora and Amazon Music playlists.