Parallel

For this project we started by using the word parallel as a jumping point, as it described both themes in Animal Boy’s music as well as feelings explored in Rebecca’s practice as Laundrymatcowgrrl.

Being this far into the pandemic, it’s a great time to kind of think about people living their lives simultaneously yet separate from others, but still trying to connect. Both the music and visuals speak to a kind of yearning and missed connection in a fun way.

Our video is a combination of different mediums that reflects how social interaction and connection sometimes feels inorganic right now.

Audio

by Animal Boy

Animal Boy

This song reflects on the things that are lost to time. Loss of innocence, of heart, of faith, and of youth. I pose a question to another (or to myself) that things could remain as they are, or we could live independently in the same spaces. Our paths never crossing but still in sight of each other. A life together, alone – or lives lived in parallel – alone, together.

The question comes partly from sentimentality, the parallel life gives the illusion of proximity but is unreachable in practice. It also comes from fear, holding onto the hope that the other could become a lifeboat if being alone becomes too unbearable.

Ultimately, regardless of the answer, time’s arrow marches forwards. As we age and stare confused into an unfamiliar reflection – does it suddenly become clear what the right answer was? Is that the answer we gave? Does it even matter now as the sun sets?

Laundrymatcowgrrl

Rebecca Payne is rural queer artist who has trained in painting, drawing, and printmaking. They are currently interested in exploring feelings of loneliness, feeling awkward, and have an appreciation for banal and liminal spaces.

In this animation I wanted to play around with a sense of yearning for connection that feels really familiar right now. I didn’t want to give away the feeling of loneliness right away because I feel sometimes it grows most when you don’t realize it’s there. To conclude the animation, the lonely ghost does get a ghosty friend in the end! In the future, I’d love to explore how this story would continue moving forward.

Laundrymatcowgrrl

Animal Boy

PARALLEL LYRICS

Stop

Stay just for a little while

This heart is like a carousel

Never seems to settle down

But you could be my right now

Or just live our lives in parallel

Two lies that never intersect

We’re out of love and oversexed

We’re coming in and out of time

There never is a right time, with you

And I don’t know what we’re gonna do

So, I’ll just lie and say I love you for now

If that was all that love would take

Then I would melt it down

And dig myself a lake

And force myself to drown

But baby wipe away that tear

What’s the point in crying over such a silly thing

I know something about fear

I’m accidentally older but I don’t know a Goddamn thing

Don’t tell me I sound naive

I know all about it but that doesn’t fix my problems at all

Wait

I hope I didn’t take too long

I think I’m ready now

Says the man through the mirror

To his boy been gone for years

His life and hair replaced with grey

Pretty soon now he will fade away

Mom and Dad not there to bail him out

His only instincts left are fear and doubt

I must be singing out of tune

Because I’m never getting through to you

You’re just nestled by the fire, all alone

If that was all that life would take