Dazeases “Baby” Video Release

Jesse Adcock
Contributing Writer

(UPDATED MAY 1st)

Under the stage name “Dazeases,” pop-artist London Perry premiered her music video “Baby” April 16 at Strange Matter during a show hosted by the creative collective ANIMAL.

The performance opened with sets by Zooanzoo and the B.ACKWARDS HAUS Collective featuring MNLV (Minnie Love), Chï and Jake Barkley.

“The beautiful thing about film is that it’s rarely an individual process,” Perry said, who described her sound as “Lo-fi Doom Pop.”

“Baby” was directed by Reenie Bowers, produced by Laura Ruschak and shot by Kyra Kilfeather, gaffed by Greg Golter, and edited by Avery Foo — all of whom graduated from the VCUarts cinema department.

Taking place during a one-day-session back in October, the video was shot in the century-old Harrisonburg house of Chad Brown, a mutual friend of all involved.

“The video was a cotton candy dream nightmare,” said Zach Williams, whose stage name is Zooanzoo. “London is really good at drawing a scene and sinking you into it like quicksand, but you enjoy it the whole way. She owns her own existence, and as (she) performs her powers of suspense and build are masterful.”

During the concert, the walls of Strange Matter shook with Perry’s intense music, and its effect on the audience was visible.

“The anger was tangible,” said show-goer Maurice Vellas. “(Perry) really shined in the explosive parts of her performance.”

In addition to her explosive performance, Perry’s stage presence was highlighted by the intimate venue and the supportive crowd.

“She nailed down her aesthetic with the lighting,” said VCU graduate Hyekang Shin. “Especially in her genre, a lot of people can hide behind a laptop or a keyboard. Not Dazeases. Her stage presence is magnetic, and inspires other artists with her content.”

Perry’s fans are already crediting her with impacting the music scene in Richmond and the U.S.

“London’s music is pushing everything forward,” said show-opener Barkley. The pop scene is finally sparking up because of artists who push as hard as her, Barkley says.

Ruschak, who produced “Baby,” said she was inspired to work with Perry because of the intense, intimate relevancy of her music.

“She makes people feel excitingly interrupted,” Ruschak said.