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Canadian Beats Passport – FOG LAMP – Five Questions With

Jenna Melanson·March 5, 2024

Oakland’s FOG LAMP Drop Haunting Synthpunk LP with Video-Single “You Prove Yourself Wrong”

Oakland, California’s premiere synth-punks Fog Lamp have released their sophomore LP Anxious Stargazing on The Bucket Records with their latest video & single “You Prove Yourself Wrong.”

With their refusal to conform to traditional norms, exemplified by their choice to incorporate a drum machine instead of a drummer, Fog Lamp continues to push boundaries and challenge expectations.

Their music has garnered praise from both seasoned goth enthusiasts and newcomers alike. In 2022, Willow House Records introduced Fog Lamp to the world with their debut album, Conversation?, showcasing the band’s penchant for discordant arrangements and introspective lyrics.

Following this successful debut, The Bucket Records have unleashed their sophomore effort, Anxious Stargazing, further solidifying Fog Lamp’s presence in the Bay Area punk scene.

“We played some great shows in 2023,” says vocalist Aaron. “I like to pick up things in DIY spaces and dance with them. We played at a vintage clothing store and danced with a woman’s boot covering my hand. We used it to twirl around the Valentine’s Day flowers that were hanging from the ceiling. We also opened for some great bands including Combo, Warp, and Sick Thoughts.”

Fog Lamp’s latest music video, “You Prove Yourself Wrong,” is a haunting synthpunk creation that defies genre boundaries. Drawing inspiration from cyberpunk, darkwave, and goth influences, this visually stunning production promises to captivate viewers with its surreal imagery and 80’s VHS quality aesthetic.

Directed by cinematographers Paul Abueg-Igaz and Niki Selken, the video transports audiences into a realm where reality and fantasy intertwine. Live footage of Fog Lamp’s electrifying performance sets the stage, capturing the raw energy and intensity of their music.

Against a backdrop of pulsating beats and ethereal melodies, scenes unfold featuring technicolor skeletons, their fluorescent hues casting an eerie glow in the darkness, blurring the lines between the organic and the synthetic. “You Prove Yourself Wrong” invites viewers on a journey through the depths of imagination, challenging perceptions and defying expectations at every turn. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of synthpunk or simply intrigued by the allure of the unknown, Fog Lamp’s music video promises an unforgettable experience that transcends the ordinary.

First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?

Hi, I’m Aaron, and I sing in Fog Lamp.

Tell us a bit about your recent release.

We wrote Anxious Stargazing over the course of a year. Our influences were drawn from many corners of rock and electronic music. Killing Joke was one of our main influences. Sadly, their guitarist passed away recently. RIP Geordie. I missed my only chance to see them live.

How do you typically go about the songwriting process? Do you have a specific method or creative routine that you follow?

Adam, our guitarist, usually comes up with a couple of riffs. Then our synth player Leslie comes up with a bassline that compliments Adam’s riffs. After that, we squeeze the parts into something that almost resembles a traditional song structure. Once that foundation is laid down, I mold bits of stream-of-consciousness poetry into it. Lastly, Leslie carefully works on leads and pads to glue everything together.

Looking ahead, what are your plans for supporting this new release?

We are doing interviews, and playing lots of local shows in Oakland and San Francisco, and we are doing a California tour next month.

Are there any upcoming tours, music videos, or additional content that fans can look forward to in connection with this project?

We released a music video on YouTube and Instagram last Friday. It’s for our song “You Prove Yourself Wrong,” which is about defunding the police.

Looking back on your musical career, is there a particular moment or accomplishment that you consider a turning point or a highlight?

I used to be in a band called Missing Person. We were fortunate enough to play in the States, British Colombia, and Tijuana, Mexico. That’s the closest I’ve come to international touring.