The price of fame is the theme of a sensational new single from Canadian band Hotel Mira.
From the Barstool, released on July 5, reflects on the disorientation of finding yourself in the public eye.
Lyricist Charlie Kerr says: ““I think the notion that someone would be wholly unaffected by being a (even mildly) public figure is absurd.
“There is a psychic damage or at least shift to knowing that what you are going to say and do will be analysed and consumed and that you have very little control in the matter. So, I suppose what ‘The View From The Barstool’ is articulating is that I recognize a change in me. I feel less insane acknowledging I am sensitive to being treated differently.”
The song begins with the lyric:
Slit my throat and wrists just so
Heaven knows I’m miserable
And fame is calling my name, it’s screaming “who are you?”
And it’s strange but it’s not gonna change my view from the barstool
Kerr says: “The opening lines manage to paint a picture that is pretty alarming: a desire for self-harm, a band aid solution by way of validation from strangers and then a declaration that I will be un-phased by either. The conditional love you immerse yourself in by letting yourself be rated and critiqued by strangers makes it hard to turn off and on, in our private moments (if they still exist).
“There’s an Anderson Paak line that I think of constantly “and fuck fame that killed all my favourite entertainers”. That’s why I bring up Marilyn Monroe in the lyrics. She was a brilliant artist who was chewed up and spat out just like so many before and after her. I wonder is that simply what we signed up for?”
Hotel Mira are a four piece consisting of Kerr, guitarist Clark Grieve, bassist Mike Noble and drummer Cole George. Kerr and Noble teamed up as teenagers at a Battle of the Bands contest.
Charismatic front man Kerr, who is based in Los Angeles, is also an actor and playwright and regards all forms of art as storytelling. His live wire stage performances have wowed audiences in the UK and the US.
The band’s first single ‘Waste Away’ was released in April and garnered excellent reviews.
LISTEN TO ‘THE VIEW FROM THE BARSTOOL’: https://604-records.disco.ac/track-new/125374364?user_id=1168329&signature=i-lHbj5Mv8Pf_lhv-zdxsXnIp-M%3AsEaFF39m
WATCH HOTEL MIRA LIVE: https://youtu.be/58n1CT2a7qk?si=g49G94eAgEY5h1UR
