Ginger Root Releases Pair of Kaleidoscopic Singles "All Night" and "There Was A Time"
Photo: David Gutel
Multi-instrumentalist, producer, songwriter, and visual artist Ginger Root, aka Cameron Lew, blesses fans with a divine double single release, "All Night" and "There Was A Time," in anticipation of his highly anticipated new album, SHINBANGUMI, out September 13.
The first of the two singles is the eccentric and refreshing "All Night." It's a vibrant, four-on-the-floor burner that carries the weight of intercontinental splendor and pop majesty. With its live instrumentation, driven by funk-fueled sonics and floaty, nostalgic vocals, this stellar club cut is an ode to a friend's seemingly endless night out in Paris, inspiring listeners to dance the night away and give themselves over to the colorful, endorphin rush-inducing creation.
"This was my one attempt at writing a track that you can bump all night," shares Lew about the track, "but being the introvert that I am, when it came time to write lyrics, I couldn't write it about me, so the lyrics are borrowed from a friend's seemingly endless night out in Paris."
In the latter release, "There Was A Time," Lew pays tribute to the folksy melody-making of one of his favorite Beatles, Paul McCartney, specifically his early '70s psychedelic era. This track, concocted as a lighter pop song, is a city pop outtake blended with elements of psychedelia and, according to the artist, "bleep-blooping" electronica and funneled into a kaleidoscope. Ultimately, it's a gem of a song full of heart and rife with emotion and sweet whimsy.
The latter track also includes a video directed by Lew and frequent collaborator David Gutel. Opening on the creative team about presenting their first project, "Overdrive Academy," they warn the audience that they could afford one actress, a baby, and a melon before popping in the VHS tape and crossing their fingers that the pilot is a success. The footage begins to roll with a flashback of a woman, suitcase in hand, leaving her crying child with only a guitar. The "show" switches to the present, following the now grown child as she walks the city streets with her guitar, which she soon loses after encountering bullies. We won't spoil what happens next, but Lew and Gutel do an impeccable job translating the track's mellow, carefree energy into a piece of visual media bursting personality and charm.
Ginger Root is hitting the road this fall on a massive North America, Europe and UK fall tour in support of SHINBANGUMI that kicks off in San Diego on September 24. From there he'll be hitting cities like NYC, LA, and Paris before closing the tour in London at Koko on December 3.
Listen to "All Night" below: