Alt pop/rock artist Chaz Cardigan has released his latest single “Rockwell” and an accompanying music video. Produced by Chaz himself, the song is about embracing the fantasy of American excellence set to a hard-hitting infectious pop beat.
“Rockwell” is Chaz Cardigan’s third single release on Nvak Collective. After becoming burned out by the major label machine, Chaz started secretly writing with friends, immigrant, queer and POC collaborators, with the intent to “document what it feels like right now to be an American when this country is not designed for you and refuses to make space for you in a meaningful way.” The result, a collection of songs titled Absymmetry was written, recorded and produced by Chaz in his bedroom, without telling a soul.
“Over the last few songs I’ve released I’ve been telling a story, and looking at my relationship with the United States as if it was my lover,” shares Cardigan. “In ‘We Look So Good’ and ‘Pictures,’ I’m picking apart the relationship and saying, ‘wow, this looks really unhealthy.’ ‘Rockwell’ is the fantasy of what the relationship could be. Total ecstasy in the white picket fence myth — traditional gender norms, power, and institutions that care about you. It’s a lie, but it’s fucking fun to believe in.”
Of the playful video, he continues, “This video is the best execution of an idea I’ve ever had, start-to-finish,” Chaz says. “In the past I would come to the table with a concept or a full treatment, and the idea would always get lost in the collaboration process; but Bia Jurema just got it. She really, fully understood what I was going for. We set out to make a complete visual album together that our last two videos are a part of, but ‘Rockwell’ was always the starting center of gravity for us. This sitcom, camp, queering of the American man; deconstructing what it feels like to be powerful and having a blast doing it.”
Chaz Cardigan is also about to kick off a string of tour dates. Starting February 24 in Superior, WI, the tour will make stops in Chicago, Pittsburgh, and New York City, before wrapping up in his native hometown of Nashville, all leading up to the release of more music and the full-length release.
2/24 – Superior, WI at University of Wisconsin-Superior
2/25 – Chicago, IL at Schuba’s
2/26 – Columbus, OH at Big Room Bar
2/28 – Pittsburgh, PA at Club Café Live
3/1 – New York, NY at Rockwood Music Hall
3/3 – Charlotte, NC at Neighborhood Theatre (Side Room)
3/4 – Decatur, GA at Eddie’s Attic
3/5 – Nashville, TN at The Basement