The Penelopes release new single with ‘Swim Little Fish Swim’ film writer and acclaimed actress Lola Bessis…

On Novemeber 11th 2022 The Penelopes released a second single ‘Pastoral’ which features film writer and critically acclaimed actress Lola Bessis on vocals. I wrote this song with Axel back in the hot summer of 2016 in Bethnal Green, London. It took us ages to get the right vibe with this one and it was one that we didn’t work on remotely like many of the other songs (The Last Goodbye, Gimme a Sign).

I originally called it ‘August 22’ because that was the final day I felt it was finished (at least in terms of topline and lyrics) but also the day the painting ‘The Scream’ by Edvard Munch was stolen from the Munch Museum in Olso in 2004. Stuck for lyrical ideas, i looked up events that took place on that day on August 22 only to find that the most expensive and memorable painting in the world was stolen. I thought it was a ridiculous move, because what on earth could a thief do with such a work if they didn’t want to be found.

As with a lot of the lyrics I have written for The Penelopes, it isn’t always a clear story, more visual patch work, hopefully evocative and as always, i believe ‘meaning’ is firmly in the ears of the beholder. I have perfomed this song a few times with The Penelopes at various venues in Paris and it is different from their other songs as it features more orchestral parts. In fact, Axel and Vincent were calling it ‘Orchestral’ for years!

Enjoy!