Backxwash and Maryze Share Spooky Music Video for "Squelettes" (Dir. Méchant Vaporwave)

Still from Squelettes

Happy Halloween from Also Ghoul! We hope you're all enjoying this spooky Sunday, whether you're recovering from a night out on the town or cozying up for some classic scary movies (or both). We're celebrating by sharing the work of our two favourite spookies, Backxwash and Maryze, who have released the long-anticipated music video for their track Squelettes.

Directed, edited, and shot by Backxwash's esteemed creative director Méchant Vaporwave, the black and white footage features glitchy performances from the two Montreal artists in creepy makeup and fantastical costumes and delivers witchy twists sure to delight their Halloween-loving audience.

Inspired by gritty black and white horror films, Méchant Vaporwave set out to create a nauseating fever dream aesthetic à la David Lynch, using quickened shots and flashing images to establish unsettling feelings of disappearing dissociation and dysmorphia. The bilingual banger, released last fall, is an arresting reflection on addiction and how it consumes us. Futuristic producer Margo delivers the track's feverish beat and hyper pop sensibilities.

"The song personifies addiction as a destructive entity that creeps in and takes hold, becoming inescapable, as well as the loss of self with lyrics like "my face no longer looks like me, I've lost my shadow." I was so blown away by the way Méchant Vaporwave brought that vision to life and how perfectly Backxwash's verse fit in. It was an honour to work with them!" says Maryze.

Watch the video below!

Backxwash

Bandcamp / Instagram / Website

Maryze

Spotify / Instagram / Website / TikTok

Malaika Astorga is the Co-Founder & Creative Director of Also Cool. She is a Mexican-Canadian visual artist, writer, and social media strategist currently based in Montreal.

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Healing Through Horror: Maryze Talks Childhood Obsessions with the Ghoulish & Gruesome; Shares Halloween Playlist

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Maryze press photo for single “Squelettes” ft. Backxwash & Margo | Credit: BAD/GOOD, Solomon Krause-Imlach

Horror has played an important part in my life for as long as I can remember. 

Growing up in the late 90’s/early 00’s, spooky culture was at its peak. Goosebumps books covered my shelves, Are You Afraid of the Dark? and Buffy the Vampire Slayer were on constant rotation on YTV, and movies like Scream brought about a resurgence of the horror genre. I, myself, could not get enough, and thought everyone else shared my love for the macabre.

I quickly understood there are two types of people in this world: those who love horror, and those who can’t possibly understand how anyone could love horror. Kids nicknamed me “scary French girl,” as I was the only French kid in my neighbourhood, and because I compulsively told scary stories to anyone who would listen. I really thought everyone was just okay with this, until kids started to tell their parents and I got a “talking-to.” My cousin recently told me I caused her lifelong nightmares. 

This fascination naturally evolved into an obsession with horror films. I consumed anything I could get my hands on and became addicted to the experience. What I like about scary movies is that, no matter how bad they are, they at least make you feel something. Whether it is fear, disgust, or just general disbelief, you rarely walk away unaffected. When it is done well, the genre teeters between reality and absurdity: offering both escapism and terrifyingly relatable themes. 

Horror is also a pretty great way of dealing with trauma.

I’ll try to keep it light, but many folks I know who’ve experienced trauma and anxiety gravitate towards certain aspects of horror. Whether it’s gothic home decorating, listening to metal, practicing witchcraft, or binging spooky shows; there seems to be some comfort in darkness. Darkness that we curate for ourselves. 

When real life resembles a nightmare, surrounding yourself with horror that you choose can feel empowering. Finding safety in movies designed specifically to send you into fight-or-flight mode seems contradictory, but it’s a heightened experience in a controlled environment. You get to say when it starts and stops, and conquer the boogeyman.

This year sucks, but they can’t take spooky season from us! Here is a playlist of 20 of my favourite Halloween anthems for your Zoom parties/full moon rituals/presidential hexes. It features local witches Backxwash and La Fièvre, cute memorable classics, and self-indulgent faves (if you don’t know why Fall Out Boy is on this list, please watch their music video for “A Little Less Sixteen Candles, a Little More Touch Me.”)

Take care, and do whatever you’ve gotta do to stay alive in the giant horror movie that is 2020.

Maryze is a bilingual alt-pop artist based in Montreal, originally from Vancouver. Her stormy-sweet world blends haunting, introspective lyrics with contagious electronic beats, offering a refreshing voice with fiery honesty.

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