Gorillaz with Octavian (Photo art courtesy Nasty Little Man)
Animated downtempo ensemble Gorillaz has been soundtracking the pandemic lockdown here at Parklife DC, and that’s A-OK.
Gorillaz have turned to virtual studio Song Machine to fill the air with new music and good vibes to counter the coronavirus, and the fourth episode of the band’s new series is called “Friday 13th,” a hypnotic meditation featuring French-British rapper and singer Octavian (winner of the coveted BBC Sound of 2019) along with a video self-filmed at home during lockdown.
Gorillaz are once again disrupting the paradigm and breaking convention in their round the back door fashion with Song Machine, the newest concept from one of the most inventive bands around. Song Machine — the cartoon music contraption which spits out brand new episodes fresh from the studio, as and when they happen — will see Gorillaz joined by an exciting and ever-evolving roster of as yet unannounced collaborators captured live in Kong Studios alongside the world’s most successful virtual band.
Watch the official music video for “Friday 13th” by Gorillaz featuring Octavian on YouTube:
Virtual band Gorillaz is singer 2D, bassist Murdoc Niccals, guitarist Noodle, and drummer Russel Hobbs. Created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, their acclaimed eponymous debut album was released in 2001. The BRIT and Grammy Award winning band’s subsequent albums are Demon Days (2005), Plastic Beach (2010), The Fall (2011), Humanz (2017), and The Now Now (2018). A truly global phenomenon, Gorillaz have achieved success in entirely ground-breaking ways, touring the world from San Diego to Syria, winning numerous awards including the coveted Jim Henson Creativity Honor.