The dry humour that resonates throughout Jake Sheppard‘s ‘Bird Clock‘ is underpinned by a wobbly, off-kilter edge that sidles up nicely alongside the likes of David Berman or the New Weird of the early noughties. As his tale unfolds with almost Murakmi dream-like absurdity, you can’t help but admire how he balances sorrow and comedy so well…it’s a highwire act that achieves perfect balance and leaves you wanting more.
Sheppard shares: “This song is based on a true story: I got dumped in a mall and my girlfriend, in her haste to leave the food court, and our relationship, left without the Singing Bird Clock she’d bought at Sharper Image. The clock was a gift for her grandma, whose 90th birthday I was no longer invited to. I hung the clock in my room, and for the next several months, the hourly cries of Orioles and House Wrens mixed with my own, eventually leading to an intervention of roommates and other tenants, sick of the noise. We all agreed I could at least take out the batteries.”
His highwire act extends to the screen, as demonstrated in the accompanying video, which he also directed – it’s one you’ll find yourself returning to. I’m looking forward to hearing more.
“Bird Clock” is the first single from Jake Sheppard’s debut LP “Midwest Marlin”, coming March 29, 2024, on digital release via Desserted City.