Indie pop/rock trio BETTY (Alyson Palmer – vocals/bass guitar, Elizabeth Ziff – vocals, guitar, electronic programming, Amy Ziff – vocals/cello) have released their latest album EAT, an 11-track collection that contains some of the most electric, danceable and pop-forward songs of their career, while additionally featuring their tight harmonies, pop/rock earworms centered on longing, sex, sisterhood and food.

In celebration of EAT’s release day, BETTY has just released the video for the song “Flow,” directed by 20-year-old artist, media major & BETTY baby #1, Aly’s daughter Ruby Salvatore Palmer. The band explains inspiration behind the track and video:

Aly: “The initial idea of Flow came from Covid lockdown. Living in vertical New York City, everyone watched through the windows of neighbors across the street like Saturday morning cartoons or living Advent calendars. When we got together to play music again, the idea persisted – what if you fell in love through the window – how would that flow?”

Elizabeth: “Wearing brightly colored tight onesie to film this Flow video was the director’s idea…and at first I was a little horrified, but it turned out to be super fun and really in keeping with the vibe of the song. Pays to have a hot, smart 20 year old director.”

Amy: “‘Flow’ turned into a party.

A feast.

At the end of a long day of recording, we had some delicious food and drinks and engineers and producers and BETTY mashed into the booth to do a great fiesta track.

And it sure did FLOW.”

While BETTY has traditionally been difficult to categorize, with influences ranging from Queen, The B-52’s to Labelle and Parliament Funkadelic, EAT is undeniably pop/dance-forward. Their boundary-blurring style of buoyant live concerts featuring a mix of a cappella, anthemic pop/rock and avant-garde spoken-word interludes has provided longevity and a loyal cult following over the past four decades.

On EAT, BETTY harkened back to their early days in Washington DC, through collaboration with friend and GRAMMY-winning producer Jason Carmer (The Donnas, Third Eye Blind, Run-D.M.C.). “We all came from the same open-minded musical spirit back in the eighties in DC because there were no boundaries between punk, art rock, Go-go and the burgeoning new wave scene,” recalls the band.

Although BETTY recorded demos in their New York City studio, they found the songs weren’t complete until working with Carmer and his team in Mexico City where the alchemy truly clicked. “I loved working closely with a producer whose music is as eclectic as ours, while still hugging the mainstream.” says Elizabeth. 

Jason and team, featuring JM Salinas [GRAMMY winner aka Human Fader], bring a new robust spine with a constant beat and rhythm underneath the sexy body that’s BETTY’s sound to create something totally new and exciting.

The album’s title EAT came from its simplicity. Palmer explains, “it’s often a mindless part of our daily lives but the act of life itself. When all else fails, EAT.” Amy Ziff adds, “Thankfully, during our 38 years as a band, we’ve learned something to say to help us  change, celebrate, lament, agonize, laugh, question, understand, challenge, create, undo, and sing together. Ok, let’s take a break and grab something to EAT.” 

With the new record, “we’re nodding to the electronic sound of our past, our fans who have been with us since the beginning, while also looking to the future of BETTY. It’s a  dance move towards world domination to include everyone,” says Elizabeth Ziff.

38 years strong, BETTY continues to fight as musical warriors for self-advocacy, fairness and equality, no matter where that takes them, which may be one reason the trio has far outlasted the majority of bands… and most relationships!

From the bounty of joy to the crumbs of despair, BETTY relishes the adventure, the emotions and the universality of all human gatherings.

Photo Courtesy: Gene Reed