Known for her seamless fusion of synth-pop, folk, and punk, indie artist Camille Schmidt is back with her latest digital release, Stanley. The electrifying track delivers intense sounds and explores the feeling of being lost despite the chaos around you.
“I started thinking about my plane ride the night before,” Schmidt shares. “This woman in front of me had been texting a friend about her boyfriend, Stanley (who I later discovered was a few rows behind us). I was thinking about the loneliness you feel when you’re alone and the deeper loneliness when you’re with someone, and that person doesn’t fill the hole inside you the way you’d hoped. It was a time when I was searching for comfort in anything—overheard conversations, interactions with strangers, little jokes I would make to myself.”
The Brooklyn-based queer singer-songwriter pairs Stanley with a visually striking video set in a train station. The imagery mirrors the song’s repeated refrain, “going nowhere,” a haunting mantra that captures the track’s central theme.
This single is part of her debut album, Nude #9, a project that retains Schmidt’s signature sound while expanding into more experimental territory. Tracks like XOXO echo the electronic textures found in Stanley, while others, such as Bumblebee Drinks Lavender, lean more toward indie folk-pop ballads.
Nude #9 was further elevated by contributions from an incredible team of musicians, including bassist Eli Heath, sound designer Michael Haldeman (Mk.gee), guitarists Sam Acchione (Alex G) and Jacob Drab (Allegra Krieger), and percussionists Kane Ritchotte and W. Alexander.
With Nude #9, Camille Schmidt solidifies her place as one of the most exciting synth-pop, folk, punk, and even alt-rock voices. Her ability to merge unique sounds with raw emotion and distinctive lyrics sets her apart from many emerging artists today. If Stanley is any indication, Schmidt is just getting started—and the future looks brighter because of it.
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Photos by Bao Ngo @baohngo
