Feast your eyes and ears on Eric D. Johnson’s latest offering from his new Fruit Bats record The Pet Parade, out March 5! “The Balcony” is upbeat and sprightly, complete with warm drum machines and melodica. It arrives today with a charming music video, co-directed by Annie Beedy, which Johnson says was “inspired by Cabaret (the film version) mixed with the Star Wars cantina scene and a dash of The Mighty Boosh, with a storyline inspired by Dirty Dancing and Steve McQueen’s ‘Lovers Rock.’” Behold!

Here’s more from Johnson on the video:

My wife Annie is one of my favorite visual artists. We’ve collaborated on many album covers over the years, but this our first video. “The Balcony” is a song about patience in isolation, waiting for the world to change while staring out at an empty street. So, in Annie’s words, “We created an alternate world—in our basement—where crowded clubs, real live crushes, and chance encounters still exist.”

Like the rest of The Pet Parade, “The Balcony” was written by Johnson and produced by Josh Kaufman, Johnson’s bandmate in the 2021 GRAMMY®-nominated Bonny Light Horseman. Along with the other musicians on The Pet Parade—drummers Brian Kantor, Joe Russo and Matt Barrick (The Walkmen, Fleet Foxes, Muzz), singer-songwriter Johanna Samuels, pianist Thomas Bartlett (Nico Muhly, Sufjan Stevens), and fiddler Jim Becker (Califone, Iron & Wine)—Johnson and company were forced to self-record their parts in bedrooms and home studios across America. Still, says Johnson, “The songs have enough intimacy that it doesn’t sound like it was made a million miles away.”

In case you missed it, check out Fruit Bats’ previous single “Holy Rose.” Pre-order The Pet Parade ahead of its March 5 release date on CD, LP, and red and black swirl Peak Vinyl in the Merge store and participating independent record stores. Also, exclusive to the Merge store: The Pet Parade bandanas for you and your furry friends!

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