Brandi Carlile and the legendary Elton John have dropped the music video for their new single “Swing For The Fences,” directed by acclaimed director Xavier Dolan and choreographed by Damien Jalet. See the video: HERE.
Speaking of the track, Brandi says, “Swing For The Fences’ was a little gem I took into the studio with me: I’m a gay woman, Elton’s a gay man and we both have families, and our dreams have come true. I was thinking, wouldn’t it be cool to write an anthem for young gay kids out there that calls them into a bigger, more elegant, more fabulous life. Just like ‘go, go! don’t let anything hold you back!’”
Elton adds, “When we recorded ‘Swing For The Fences’, it was the moment that crystallised where the album was going. It was hard to get to that point, but we knew we had to rise to the occasion and we all just felt this massive sense of joy and euphoria. After our initial difficulties, all the uncertainties started to dissipate when this song came together. It just sounded great.”
Brandi and Elton will release their 10-track collaborative studio album, Who Believes In Angels? on April 4. The album was fully written and recorded in a 20-day session at L.A.’s Sunset Sound Studio in October 2023, backed by a band comprised Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, as well as studio bassist Pino Palladino, and guitarist Josh Klinghoffer (Pearl Jam touring sideman and ex-Chili Pepper member). Per a press release, Carlile and John “pushed each other out of their comfort zones to write and record an album completely from scratch in just 20 days.”
John said of the album: “This record was one of the toughest I’ve ever made, but it was also one of the greatest musical experiences of my life. It has given me a place where I know I can move forward. Who Believes In Angels? feels like going into another era and I’m pushing the door open to come into the future. I have everything I’ve done behind me and it’s been brilliant, amazing. But this is the new start for me. As far as I’m concerned, this is the start of my career mark two.” Carlile adds, “I’m still reeling from the fact that I got to do it. I think all ships rise with Elton John’s standards for songwriting, and it was an incredibly challenging and inspiring environment to work in, everybody throwing in ideas, everybody listening to everybody else’s ideas. It felt like a family. The world is a wild place to live in right now. It’s hard to find peace and triumph. It’s a radical act to seek out joyful and euphoric happenings. And that is what this album represents to me.”
The duo also recently dropped the music video for the title track “Who Believes In Angels?” directed by David LaChapelle; take a look – HERE. In addition, a short film about the process of making Who Believes In Angels? was also released, allowing cameras to film Elton’s writing and recording sessions and featuring thousands of hours of candid studio footage.
Pre-order Who Believes In Angels? – HERE.
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