no:carrier Exclusive Premiere Video: Darkwave Cover of "Boys of Summer"

no:carrier's Chris Wirsig, since moving his innovative darkwave/electro noir (his term) project to San Francisco in 2001, has become enamoured with the American West Coast. His observations about the completely-alien-to-a-German culture that makes up his adopted home have inspired his own music, and he has in the process developed a sincere fondness for the musical artists of this strange region, as well as their California-inspired produce. 

After many years of wanting to express his appreciation for California-tinted music, Wirsig and no:carrier have finally released Ghosts of the West Coast, an EP featuring covers of four songs which Wirsig feels encapsulate the all he loves and all that is hidden and mysterious about America's West Coast.

no:carrier's cover of Don Henley's "Boys of Summer" is the first single to be released with a video  off of Ghosts of the West Coast, and Wirsig and company have decided to premiere the video exclusively on Brutal Resonance. This link can only be seen on this page or by cliicking  here.


True to form, no:carrier has re-tooled this haunting summer anthem through Wirsig's own electro noir prism, making it even more evocative and stirring. He enlisted the help of Audio Terrorist lead singer Kalib Duarte to create the right mood for the "Boys of Summer" cover. Duarte's slightly sharp, echoey voice enhances the darkwave edge Wirsig has added to this classic American rock song.  

This newly-styled electro cover of a rock classic also gives insight into what Wirsig means by "electro noir," as the video is shot in the film noir style and the music and action pair together perfectly. As film noir is a Hollywood invention, it is easy to see why Wirsig was motivated to put this project together. The sense of lonliness paired with danger and lost desire that many feel on the streets of California cities but few express is amplified by all the elements which have gone into making no:carrier's cover of the song and its video. 

Ghosts of the West Coast released on May 29, and hopefully there will be more lovely and haunting videos to come from this novel concept album. Also featured on the EP are covers of Belinda Carlisle's "California" featuring Melissa Harding on vocals and  Tony Carey's "Room With a View" featuring Lauralee Brown. A surprising addition of the Irish Traditional "She Moved Through the Fair" closes out the album, with no:carrier's usual vocalist Cynthia Wechselberger lending her bell-clear vocals to Wirsig's modernized version of this madrigal-era song.

For more information on no:carrier and news about upcoming releases from these darkwave darlings, keep checking back with Brutal Resonance or visit the group's website. Many thanks to Chris Wirsig and no:carrier for premiering this phenomenal piece of work exclusively for Brutal Resonance fans!