May Rio – NYC’s May Rio Sembera (formerly of Poppies) – recently released her solo debut album Easy Bammer on Dots Per Inch Music, and today she is sharing the Michael Jensen-directed video for “Reservations.”

May says of the track, “Reservations” is one of the first songs I wrote for this album–it came when I was isolated, alone, at the beginning of lockdown. There was someone I was very fond of, who was sort of early on in the stages of a heroin recovery. You know, when you know something is kind of doomed but you flutter every time their name comes up on your phone anyway.”

Director Michael Jenson on the video, “The “Reservations” video was rendered entirely on Mario Paint and edited entirely with VCRs. Much of the synchronicity fell into place as the medium’s properties were allowed to fizzle and warp freely. I wanted the imagery to foreground the melancholy of the song while also countering it.”

Easy Bammer reinterprets bedroom pop as a clever, dark, & humorous sound, colored by a world gone into lockdown. May turns months of isolation into a curious & hyperreal reflection on memory of a time in New York City before stay-at-home-orders and lukewarm take-out—reflections on a time when staying at home & thinking felt like an unreasonable request of the cosmos. Easy Bammer gives its listener a chance to experience the warmth & quiet laughter of reflection; it does so in a time otherwise reserved for most as an endless cycle of waiting for new headlines. Stream/purchase Easy Bammer HERE. The album is produced by Tony or Tony and mastered by Sarah Register (Ariana Grande, Yaeji, The Shins).

Photo Courtesy: Grace Pendleton