Los Angeles-based Velvet Starlings have announced the August 9 release of their new album Pacific Standard Time. Today they share lead single “Bullfight,” an Oh Sees-inspired shredder that begins with a rockabilly stomp before descending into sinuous, hypnotic sludge. Velvet Starlings is led by 20-year-old Christian Gisborne who shares, “‘Bullfight’ is our off-kilter psychedelic punk epic about bloodsports set to a cacophony of noise by means of flute, theremin and a guitar running through a pedal collection to rival Kevin Shields’ board. The song explores the concept of adrenaline addiction, whether it’s caffeine, moshing, playing FPS video games, spectator sports, or going to a bullfight. The song is filled to the top with samples and I’m very excited to see how many of them are recognized.” The video for “Bullfight” was shot by Jared Martin at LA’s iconic DIY venue The Smell.

Reviewing a recent show Grimy Goods said “(‘Bullfight’ is) a lightning-quick and feral blitz of breakneck riffs and screeching sonics that was clearly designed to spark a firestorm of energy for whatever crowd that found itself in its wake.” Velvet Starlings have also confirmed a headline show at The Troubadour in Los Angeles on July 15, with more dates to be announced shortly. 

Photo Courtesy: Sophie Prettyman-Beauchamp