Clementine Valentine, the art-pop duo from Aotearoa/New Zealand formerly known as Purple Pilgrims, announces their upcoming album, The Coin that Broke the Fountain Floor, out August 25 via Flying Nun Records. The band are also sharing their new single and video ‘Time and Tide’.
Building upon the momentum of their captivating first single, ‘Endless Night’, the song captures those fleeting moments of letting go, free from overthinking and regret. Its ethereal and anthemic quality is propelled by the cascading string arrangements of Randall Dunn and the fervent drumming of Matt Chamberlain.
Reflecting on ‘Time and Tide,’ Clementine Valentine explains, “Without giving too much away, this song is a kind of mantra of radical acceptance. Our songs usually overflow with words and imagery, this one we consciously left open – you’re invited to fill the space in between.”
The ‘Time and Tide’ music video, directed by Auckland-based photographer and filmmaker Greta van der Star (known for her work with Kate Sylvester, Ingrid Starnes, Penny Sage), draws inspiration from the celebrated American artist and photographer Francesca Woodman. It artfully captures the emotions of isolation and confinement that emerged during the song’s creation amidst the Covid lockdown, portraying the essence of being confined within four walls and merging with them.
The Coin that Broke the Fountain Floor sees the duo working alongside NY city producer Randall Dunn (Oneohtrix Point Never, Danny Elfman, Jim Jarmusch) and legendary drummer Matt Chamberlain (David Bowie, Lana Del Rey, Fiona Apple). Final audio finessing came courtesy of Brooklyn mastering engineer Heba Kadry (Bjork, Beach House, Slowdive). The results are regal and richly layered, softly orchestral yet lithe and shimmering.
The Coin that Broke the Fountain Floor:
- Gatekeeper
- All I See
- Time and Tide
- The Understudy
- Selenelion
- The Rope
- Endless Night
- Actors Tears
- All Yesterdays Flowers
