Mortar & Pestle, ‘U.V.’ – Exclusive Video Premiere

Despite the outwardly sunny sound of Mortar & Pestle’s ‘U.V.,’ the first single from their self-titled debut EP, the song’s meaning -- like the band’s origins -- contains darker undercurrents. The Oakland-based trio formed following the death of a mutual friend who connected Janaysa Lambert (vocals) and Paul Shinichi (synths and bass) and gave the band its name. Soon, Sean Paul Duke joined, completing the group on drums.

While ‘U.V.’ is a bright, synth-filled pop tune, it's introspective in nature, and Shinichi says it's "about how things that normally feeling good can be harmful to you."

Mortar & Pestle continue this trend of deceptive sunniness with their new video for the track. Catch Diffuser.fm’s exclusive premiere of the clip, which features two friends in the midst of a drug-induced adventure around Oakland. It all culminates in a party filled with sparklers and some of the chillest dance moves we’ve ever seen.

“We created a campy '80s-style day in the life of two friends as they run through Oakland on a LSD-fueled quest to find their shaman,” Shinichi tells Diffuser.fm.

Grab Mortar & Pestle’s debut, out now via Post Primal, and keep an eye out for their in-the-works long-player.