Released as a single in its namesake month last year, Lande Hekt’s ‘December’ now has a music video befitting of its mood.
Filmed with longtime collaborator Martin Wisniewska (@gingerdope) and Josh Bannister, the action unfolds in Lande’s bedroom. “After I’d asked Martin if she wanted to shoot the video, I told her I was going to cut my hair first and she said something like “don’t you dare cut your hair without me getting that shit on camera,”” says Lande. “So I waited until filming day. My hands were shaking as I chopped my hair shorter than I’ve had it since I was 4 years old, whilst also trying to remember the words to the song and not cry. The song itself has (attempted) elements of The Sundays in it, in the percussion and rhythm section, and we wanted to nod towards that 90’s style a little bit with the video. My bedroom was a very available venue during a lockdown and also the song is about overthinking which is a pretty bedroom-y activity.”
‘December’ features on Lande’s debut album ‘Going to Hell’, which was released early in 2021 via Get Better Records to critical and fan acclaim. She played all the instruments on the record with the exception of percussion. “Some of these songs have taken me a long time to write,” Lande says. “As a whole, this album represents a time when I was coming out as gay. I’m no stranger to queer punk and queer politics. I’ve always taken a special interest for obvious reasons, but this record is important to me because it’s the first time I’m releasing anything as an outwardly gay person.” ‘Going to Hell’ was recorded by Hekt’s friend Ben David (from the band The Hard Aches) in the Adelaide Hills in Australia, whilst she was over there for a solo tour with him in February, luckily fitting in the recording and flying home before lockdown kicked in.