Psalm Zero Make Anohni’s ‘Atrocities’ More ‘Bone-Chilling’

Charlie Looker is known to most as the frontman of Psalm Zero (as well as a former member of Dirty Projectors, Zs and Extra Life), but did you know he's also a HUGE Anohni fan? I'm not just talking this year's excellent HOPELESSNESS LP, either — the New York musician has been obsessed with her from the start, and has covered many of her tracks in casual settings. With Psalm Zero's sophomore album, Stranger to Violence, dropping last spring, he's got some extra time on his hands — before they hit the road next year, anyway. Musical byproducts are inevitable, so it's no surprise that he's tendering another tribute to his heroine: a take on "Atrocities," off Antony and the Johnsons' 2000 self-titled debut album.

As Looker explains to CLRVYNT, the interpretation started out as a "solo endeavor," but later broadened to include guest vocals courtesy of Nicholas McMaster (Krallice, Geryon). However, he adds that it's "possible" that "Atrocities" could find its way into a Psalm Zero set. NYC fans should be on the lookout when the band rolls through Brooklyn's Trans-Pecos on December 7, joined by Helen Money and Bambara. In the meantime, listen to both versions of "Atrocities" (the heartfelt original and the brutal remake), and scroll down for Looker's thoughts on the track and Psalm Zero tour dates. The remake is ALSO available for download.

Charlie Looker, on "Atrocities":

'Atrocities' is an older Anohni track, from her debut record as Antony and the Johnsons. Anohni is one of my all-time musical heroes, an absolute colossus. I’ve covered several of her songs in informal live solo acoustic settings, but this song seemed the most appropriate for a Psalm Zero treatment. The lyrics are bone-chilling to me, especially in this current political and social climate where we’re reassessing the weight of various violent histories, as well as facing a new rise of fascist ideology and sentiment worldwide. As for the future, I’m bracing myself, trying to be ready for anything.