Deap Vally is an LA-based rock duo made up of guitarist and vocalist Lindsey Troy and drummer and vocalist Julie Edwards. The duo formed in 2011, after the two women met at a crochet class, which is a totally rad band meet-cute. Deap Vally has been describes as “a scuzzy White Stripes-meets Led Zeppelin rock and roll duo.”
Earlier this month, Troy and Edwards released a video for their newest song “Royal Jelly,” featuring supermodel and fellow musician Georgia May Jagger. We have an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the live performance here. But first, I talked to Lindsey Troy about the making of the new video, recent tours, and their upcoming album. Check it out.
What was your inspiration for the new “Royal Jelly” video?
LT: The song and video are an ode to creativity and the endless hours of work it takes to fulfill one’s potential as an artist, or just any endeavor in general. The video was a collaboration between us and some of the most creative women we know. We have so many insanely talented, artistic friends, and we try to involve them in our work whenever possible because what’s more fun than working with friends.
Georgia May Jagger had the idea to involve makeup visionary Isamaya Ffrench in the video, who is known for pushing the boundaries of her industry with really inventive, tripped-out face and body make-up. The lyrics to “Royal Jelly” reference things like rainbows, honey, and gold, and the video plays up those visually evocative themes with its focus on color and shape and movement. We chose Jess Holzworth to direct it because she comes from a visual art background and has a very strong aesthetic sensibility. One of my oldest and best friends, Tristan Scott, (who has some of the wildest, sassiest, and best wardrobe around), styled Georgia for the shoot, and he found so much rad stuff to put her in. Another dear friend of ours, Michelle Rose, is responsible for making our stellar fringe bodysuits that Julie and I are wearing in the video. We had many other friends involved during the process as well. There was certainly no shortage of ideas on set!
How did Georgia May Jagger become involved in the video?
LT: Georgia is a close friend. She is also a big fan of our band (and we’re a fan of hers!) We met a couple years ago at one of our shows in Chicago. We share a very close mutual friend Brett Grace, who brought her to the show. We’ve been friends ever since. She’s one of the chillest, unassuming, humble people I know. I was at a dinner party at her house one night about a year ago and asked her if she wanted to be in one of our videos. She was really into the idea, and we spent the last year throwing ideas around and figuring out what song she would be perfect for. She really connected with “Royal Jelly,” so we decided to go with this one.
What can you tell us about the new album you’re currently working on?
LT: Well, it’s done!!! We can’t wait to release it. Nick Zinner from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs produced it. It was so fun working with him because I’ve looked up to him for so many years. He really pushed us on this record. He’s been in this business a long time and is full of wisdom and good ideas. He really pushed us to keep writing, and the result is a really diverse, tasty, experimental record. It’s got so many flavors, and it just feels really fresh. And I would say it’s even a bit heavier than our last album.
Last month, you opened for Peaches during the Rub Tour. What was that like?
LT: Soooooo fun! Peaches has been a hero of mine for many, many years so getting to go on tour with her was really a dream-come-true. Nick Zinner and her are tight. One time he told me she was a fan of our band, but I wasn’t sure if she had just told him that to be polite, since he’s working with us. I saw her at a restaurant in Silver Lake last year and went up to her and told her that I was a big fan and introduced myself. She goes: “I love Deap Vally!!!!” And I was like: “You’re probably one of the reasons we exist!” She seemed really pysched about that. We exchanged numbers that day and quickly became friends. I think she’s one of the most important artist of the last couple decades, and it feels really great that she respects what we do. Unfortunately, Julie couldn’t come on the tour because she’s about to have a baby and her doctor didn’t think it was a good idea for her to be traveling that late in the pregnancy. Our good friend, Liv Marsico (from Liphemra) filled in for Julie on the tour, and she did a killer job.
You two are often referred to as a “female power due” or a “female rock duo,” etc. Do you get tired of that “female” signifier or does it feel important to your identity as a musician/performer?
LT: I mean, I’m just used to it, but it is refreshing when journalists don’t feel the need to use that adjective. In those moments I really feel like I’m being treated as an equal, not as “other” and it feels really great.
Now, without without further ado, here is Deep Vally’s live performance – and the polished music video that it became.
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