David Bazan has shared the third single from his forthcoming Pedro the Lion record, Phoenix. Titled “Quietest Friend,” the song follows “Yellow Bike” and “Model Homes” off of their first record under the band name in 15 years. In an in-depth interview Dusty Henry did with Bazan, we learn that the album is the first in a series of albums about places Bazan grew up. Bazan spent his first 12 years in the city of Phoenix and the songs on the record analyze and unwrap memories and feelings from his childhood.
On “Quietest Friend” Bazan feels regret over giving in to the pressures of childhood bullying by mocking a shy classmate who had opened himself up to Bazan. For the video, we pick up where “Yellow Bike” left off, with young Bazan on his bike and current Bazan following him down hallways only to run into different versions of himself. He ends up on a stage with the rest of the band while young Bazan circles around him. The video was directed by Jason Lester and shot on 16mm film.
Phoenix is out Jan. 18 via Polyvinyl and follows 2004’s Achilles Heel. Pedro the Lion’s current lineup has Silver Torches’ Erik Walters (guitar) and Sean Lane (drums) joining Bazan. Catch Pedro the Lion at KEXP on Jan. 18 where they’ll play the Gathering Space at noon. The show is free and open to the public.
Below, watch the video for “Quietest Friend” and Pedro the Lion’s 2017 KEXP in-studio performance.
The Seattle band returns with a new album examining childhood loneliness and the weight carried around from the lead singer's former hometown.
The reformed group fronted by David Bazan returns with an aching ode to childhood from their upcoming album Phoenix, out Jan. 18 via Polyvinyl Records.
David Bazan shares the first new music under his old moniker since 2004 Achilles’ Heel
