Molly Burch Shares New “Candy” Video Directed by Nöel Wells

Molly Burch released her excellent sophomore album, First Flower, last month, and today (Nov. 20) she’s sharing a music video for “Candy,” the third single and a standout track from the record. The video, directed by Nöel Wells (Saturday Night Live, Master of None), rejects the hoopla surrounding photoshoots and obnoxious male photographers. Watch it below.

Wells, who just last week released new music of her own for the first time, shot and directed the clip. It opens on a cocky photographer giving Burch a pre-shoot “pep talk” while a stylist primps her. “I want you to pay attention to me,” he says. “I need balls from you today.” Burch’s lyrics sound like a good response to that kind of misogynistic prattle: “Why do I care what you think? / You’re not my father / Don’t bother me.”

In the video, Burch, who often channels ‘60s girl-group vibes, is dressed like a flower child. But that’s not the reason for her costume, as Wells explains:

But that notion of exploiting something beautiful paired with the lyrics, which are all about trying to escape personal anxieties, came the idea of this girl at photoshoot, literally dressed like a flower child, kind of coming to terms she doesn’t want to be this photographic prop, but every time she changes how she looks and tries to escape, she gets caught again. We shot on 8mm to capture a ‘60s pop vibe, and to add to the levity of the silent film nature of the video, especially toward the end.

Here’s what Burch had to say about the collaborative visuals:

I’ve been a huge fan of Noël’s for quite some time so it was a dream of mine for her to direct this video. It’s really inspiring to watch her work. Her mind is so fast and full of ideas constantly. The whole day was mostly female dominated, which is always my preference (shout out to my sister Samy Burch who cast all of the wonderful actors in the video!) It was a glorious experience collaborating and I feel she captured the song so well.

Again, you can watch the video for “Candy” below. Further down, watch Molly Burch perform a Paste session during South By Southwest circa 2017. Keep scrolling for her 2016 Daytrotter Session and tour dates, and read Paste’s review of First Flower right here.

Molly Burch Tour Dates:

November
20 – Lucerne, Switzerland @ Neubad
21 – Munich, Germany @ Unter Deck
22 – Budapest, Hungary @ A38 Gallery
23 – Vienna, Austria @ Blue Bird Festival
24 – Jena, Germany @ Glashaus
25 – Berlin, Germany @ Privatclub
26 – Hamburg, Germany @ Aalhaus
27 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso
28 – Amiens, France @ La Lune des Pirates
30 – Gent, Belgium @ Trefunt

December
01 – Margate, U.K. @ Tom Thumb Theatre *
02 – Brighton, U.K. @ Komedia *
03 – Birmingham, U.K. @ Hare & Hounds
04 – London, U.K. @ The Lexington
05 – Liverpool, U.K. @ Buyer’s Club *
06 – Dublin, Ireland @ The Grand Social *
07 – Manchester, U.K. @ Night & Day *

(* – Andy Jenkins support)