VIDEO PREMIERE: “Kindred Sin” by Evan Williams
Kentish singer-songwriter Evan Williams created a lo-fi music video with a puppet, drawing inspiration from Gerry Anderson’s Thunderbirds and Jim Henson’s The Muppets, for his rousing alt-rock crooner track “Kindred Sin.” The track, which reflects the nihilistic realism Williams experienced during his first few months after university, carries an old-school Nick Cave vibe mixed with a bit of Nick Drake. The track features jangly guitars, a crushing rhythm section, and Williams’ deep storyteller voice. “Kindred Sin” is part of Evan Williams’ upcoming debut LP, The View From Halfway Down, out via Strap Originals in April.
During the music video by Barnaby Fairley, Williams controls a Pelham-era puppet (oddly resembling himself) that strums a guitar on a stage. The marionette’s movement and the closeup shots of Williams singing the words give the video an uncanny valley, but lighthearted quality. You truly feel this puppet is personified and has experienced the crippling pessimism being sung about. The puppet in question also has ties to the Williams family.
Photo credit: Barnaby Fairley
“I was in my garage at home and discovered a collection of Pelham puppets that my mum had kept for over fifty years,” Williams says. “When I found them, she told me that when she was 10 years old she and her sister used to make money performing with them at children's parties.”
He continues: “There were about eight puppets but I chose the musician as it looked vaguely like me and I had the clothes to match. There was a police officer, a dog, and others that we didn't use, but the girl who shows up at the end is Little Red Riding Hood!”
“Kindred Sin” has a way of sticking with you days after your first listen. Perhaps it’s the wonderful, lyrical wordplay or the burst of exciting energy from the chorus, but this track follows you. Regardless, it’s a song that further emphasizes Evan Williams as being someone you want to keep an eye on.
Evan Williams will be supporting The Libertines’ Peter Doherty on tour in the UK this month and then appear during a few more dates, including The Great Escape in Brighton, and Come Together Festival in Newcastle.
Album artwork for ‘The View From Halfway Down’ - Photo credit: Alex Burrows