Berlin-based indie rock trio Swiss Pleasure has once again captured the essence of raw emotion and creativity with the release of their long-awaited music video for ‘2009’. Known for their ability to blend indie rock, dream pop, post-punk, and jazz influences, the band continues to push boundaries while staying true to their DIY roots and deep connection with the Berlin underground music scene. ‘2009’ is no exception, offering a visually rich and emotionally compelling experience that invites listeners into the psyche of isolation, coping, and self-reflection.
Directed by Mayar Attia, the ‘2009’ video showcases the band’s signature resourcefulness, with the music video shot entirely within the band’s homes—transforming their personal spaces into a canvas for a powerful narrative. The video’s storyline revolves around a solitary tea party with imaginary guests, a poignant metaphor for the mental defense mechanism of adopting contempt to cope with feelings of exclusion. The video’s intimate indoor settings, framed by warm, cozy visuals, are juxtaposed with stark, dark outdoor scenes during the choruses—signifying the inevitable intrusion of reality into moments of self-created comfort.
True to their DIY spirit, Swiss Pleasure incorporated personal objects into the set design, infusing the video with authenticity and emotional resonance. Attia’s direction shines as party sequences are transformed with shimmering visual effects, heightening the surreal, dream-like atmosphere. Adding another layer of intimacy, the band opted to feature a different performer as the main character in each scene, a creative choice that underscores the diverse emotional perspectives explored throughout the video.
Lyrically, ‘2009’ delves into the complex emotions of feeling left out, using the theme of contempt as a coping mechanism. The band invites listeners to reflect on their own feelings of hurt and anger, encouraging them to process and understand these emotions through music. Alea’s urgent and nervous vocal delivery contrasts with Claire’s haunting and ethereal harmonies, creating a dynamic tension that mirrors the emotional turbulence within the song. The steady, driving beat of Agathe’s drums anchors the track, creating a swirling sonic landscape that draws inspiration from the likes of Fontaines D.C.’s ‘In ár gcroíthe go deo’ while maintaining a distinctive sound all their own.
The band’s multicultural heritage is woven into the fabric of their music. Alea, a Pakistani-British artist based in Bahrain, Agathe, a French-born musician, and Claire, whose diverse background further enhances their unique sound, demonstrate how their backgrounds influence their experimental approach to genre-blending. This fusion allows Swiss Pleasure to create art that resonates with a broad audience, establishing deeper connections through their layered and nuanced compositions.
As a proudly FLINTA (Female, Lesbian, Intersex, Non-binary, Trans, and Agender) collective, Swiss Pleasure is not just a band but a voice for the underrepresented, challenging norms and providing representation in a space that often sidelines marginalized communities. Their recent EP, Heliotropia, and their performance energy continues to make waves, reinforcing their place in the indie scene.
‘2009’ is a testament to Swiss Pleasure’s power to create evocative and genre-defying art with limited resources. Their ability to blend emotional depth with experimental sound, all while staying true to their DIY ethos, shows that creative expression can thrive even outside the commercial mainstream. In ‘2009’, Swiss Pleasure proves once again that great art is not about what you have—it’s about what you create with it.
