Illiterate Light’s latest single, Payphone, kicks off their upcoming album Arches (dropping November 1, 2024 via Thirty Tigers) with a jolt of raw energy and indie charm. Co-produced by the band and the legendary Joe Chiccarelli (Beck, The Strokes), the track is a heady blend of jangly guitars, hypnotic grooves, and a synth melody that holds it all together. It’s a bittersweet, desperate call between two lovers — he’s unraveling, she’s the steady anchor, but the signal keeps dropping. There’s a pulsing tension here, a wild ride with one eye open and a foot heavy on the pedal.
On the song’s video, directed by the band’s Jake Cochran, he says “The “Payphone” video was a blast to shoot. It captures a kind of down-and-out optimism that I absolutely love. The two characters, played by Jeff and I, have a straightforward mission: get out there and sell encyclopedias. But the story really opens up when we introduce their main motivator and the only voice they trust, Big Red. Played by Chez Goodspeed of Richmond, VA band Lobby Boy, Big Red is a fiery mother figure who has high expectations the guys never seem to reach… but she’s in it for the long run and is alway there for a quick pep-talk via the landline at her local laundromat. The moment we saw Chez in character as Big Red, everything fell into place, and I love that you can see the joy and laughter bursting through during some of the random “simon says” style dancing that took place as a result. The toughest part of filming? Finding a payphone.”
Live Dates:
09/28/24 – Franklin, TN @ Pilgrimage Festival
10/02/24 – Seattle, WA @ Nectar Lounge
10/04/24 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
10/05/24 – Bend, OR @ Volcanic Theater
10/08/24 – Petaluma, CA @ Sunny Hill House Shows
10/10/24 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
10/11/24 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Troubadour
10/12/24 – San Diego @ Quart Yard
10/24/24 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle Back Room
10/25/24 – Wilmington, NC @ Bourgie Nights
11/08/24 – Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theatre
11/14/24 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
11/15/24 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Made
11/16/24 – Boston, MA @ The Sinclair
11/21/24 – Boone, NC @ Boone Saloon
11/22/24 – Atlanta, GA @ Smith’s Olde Bar
11/23/24 – Asheville, NC @ Grey Eagle
12/05/24 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe
12/06/24 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern
12/07/24 – Chicago, IL @ Schubas
12/12/24 – Madison, WI @ Bur Oak
12/13/24 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Ave / 7th Street Entry
12/14/24 – Appleton, WI @ Appleton Beer Factory
01/17/25 – Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club
01/25/25 – Norfolk, VA @ Norva (WNRN Dead Air)
02/07/25 – Raleigh, NC @ Pour House
02/08/25 – Charlotte, NC @ Amos’ Southend
02/15/25 – Tampa, FL @ Crowbar
02/16/25 – Jacksonville, FL @ Blue Jay
02/27/25 – Houston, TX @ White Oak
02/28/25 – Austin, TX @ Mohawk
03/01/25 – Dallas, TX @ Sundown @ Granada Theatre
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