From his colorful suits to the praise he gets in the British music press to his ability to mix classic pop with psych-soaked rock’n’roll in a way that could never be deemed “pop-rock,” Liam Hayes has been a real throwback for more than 20 years. On his fifth album, Slurrup, Hayes — also known as Plush — has the energy of a 1960s troubadour going through a punk phase. In his new video for “Fokus,” however, the Chicago-bred musician’s lack of interest in doing just about anything reaches comical heights.
“The video could be viewed as a kind of Public Service Announcement that highlights the virtues of leading a sedentary life while simultaneously creating awareness for not overdoing it with exercise,” Hayes jokes. Flavorwire is pleased to premiere the Will Meyers-directed video below, in all its bright, gorgeous quirkiness.
The 2000s brought two critically acclaimed works from Hayes (2002’s Fed and 2009’s Bright Penny), while 2012 saw him appearing in and soundtracking Roman Coppola’s A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III. It wasn’t Hayes’ first role — that honor aptly goes to High Fidelity — but the Charlie Sheen comedy did utilize Hayes’ discography in a way that got him thinking about his own process.
“In order to be effective in helping create the world of the movie, I had to step outside of myself a little,” he says. “In real life one can get very associated into a specific story line. Working with Roman and being in Hollywood helped me experience a different perspective.”
Liam Hayes’ Slurrup is out this week on Fat Possum.