PREMIERE | Foamboy, "Better"

Portland’s rising pop duo Foamboy from left, Katy Ohsiek and Wil Bakula; press photo courtesy of Nathan Schmidlin.

The inspired DIY sections of the Pacific Northwest forever offer a bounty of beauty and botanical pop offerings that set them apart from much of the North American creative landscapes. These aesthetes create harmonies and melodies tailored in accordance with their own vision-boarded brands of brilliant textile patterns and fascinations, sequencing beat rhythms and structures that pulse and punch according to the choreography of their own drums. These artists fashion arts that melt the distinction of everything we used to know as genre into a melted syrupy amber rich honey where electronic components dissolve the modernist distinctions of the categorical sections one finds at their local independent book/record/arts & craft stores. More often than not these wide eyed wanderers cast a beam from their PNW lighthouses that send out that curious aura of intrigue that illuminates the skies, seas, land, spirits and minds of all in this universe (and perchance the universes that we have yet to discover).

Heralding from Portland by way of Salem, Oregon — we introduce Foamboy, the duo of Katy Ohsiek and Wil Bakula. From their time working in the collective Chromatic Colors to developing the synergy, sensibilities and sentimentality of their current endeavor; the two debut the single and visual for the sincere and sensational "Better" featured off their forthcoming debut album My Sober Daydream slated for self-release this fall. Together the two tackle issues of mental health, seasonal depression and the draining perils of late capitalism that we all contend with through a musical lens that elevates and exalts the human spirit and experience high above the otherwise debilitating challenges of the day to day ennui. Foamboy channels the collection of voices that sing, whisper and shout out from within and arranges those often brutal self-examinations into a modern electro orchestration that seeks to assuage and edify the very core of ourselves, everything that we are, everything we want to be and everything that we potentially can be (even while coping within the confines of an imperfect and traumatizing existence).

Directed, produced and choreographed by Monika Felice Smith, "Better" springs to vibrant life through the motions, moods and modes of modern dance. The video begins with Kat Cheng acting in response to Katy's lyrics on the sentiments of waking up exhausted and feeling consumed by the demands, fears and weight of the world. The allusions of languishing about become actualized in expressive movements by Cheng, soon met by fellow dancers Baden Silva, Shelby Davis and Genna Moroni that step in fluid interaction from living spaces, foyers, patios, parlors, poolside, lush lawns, gardens, garages, et al. The troupe treats the opulent domicile as a grand series of stages where the very venue of a home becomes a battle ground of shadowboxing against the negative trends and tendencies that lie within the self in active and conscious efforts to "Better" situations that seem almost outside the grasp of conventional control. Monika Felice Smith further highlights the song's push to break out of the cycles that bring us down with a visual that feels like an awakening from night terrors and into the spirited embrace of a beautiful new midsummer's daydream. "Better" shines a light on shattering the crystal glass boxes that keep us contained and stuck in a rut. "Better" busts through the walls, ceilings and floors of the holding cells we find ourselves in and/or sometimes are the prisons of our own designs. "Better" reaches out for that bright new morning that seeks the warmth of the sunshine that reminds us that better days, better selves and better futures are possible and all within reach (if we are willing to acknowledge it and extend ourselves in the availability and need of a greater assistance).

Katy Ohsiek and Wil Bakula of Foamboy provided some reflections on the beauty of the song and visual for “Better”:

Moments of pause with (from left) Wil Bakula and Katy Ohsiek of Foamboy; photographed by Nathan Schmidlin.

Katy Ohsiek

"Better" is a song about seasonal depression mingling with the dread of a life under capitalism. I wrote this song when I was working one of the most demanding jobs of my life. I was running up against some pretty dark thoughts and I was watching my entire routine and sense of self crumble. But I had to wonder — maybe it's just because the sun sets at 4:30pm? Although that job was particularly harsh, it also brought up the fear that no matter what job or path I choose, I will be unhappy with it somehow. The perfect complement to any existential crisis is a glittery disco beat, so when Wil sent me this idea, I thought Why not? Let's mix this super upbeat music with my depression. Can you imagine if this song had happy lyrics? I don't think it would slap as hard.

Picnic bench porch fashions with Katy and Wil of Foamboy; photographed by Nathan Schmidlin.

Wil Bakula

The music video for “Better” was a collaboration between us and LA based choreographer and director Monika Felice Smith. Monika has worked with some big names like Finneas, Olivia Rodrigo, and more, so we were incredibly excited to collaborate with her on this video. We worked with her right from the beginning on everything from the choreography style, to the wardrobe, location and editing style. The late 60s vintage vibe of the clothing and setting were chosen to pair well with the saturated and warm tones of the song. This album was very much driven by emotion and aesthetic, so it was also important for us to match that in the vide and have the choreography be a bit more abstract and not super literal. While our main theme in the song is dealing with depression, the video reflects that with our main dancer struggling to find a way to pick herself up. As she struggles to find the strength within herself, we see her running into other dancers, relating to them, empathizing with them and creating a support system. Our now four dancers latch and pull on one another, finding ways to pick each other up, find solace in their shared struggle and create the space to freely express their frustrations, joys and fears. With the ending, I wanted to make sure we portrayed a change in our main character, but that her struggle was not over. Mental health is an extremely nuanced and complex part of life and for many people there is no one cure-all. So this video is more about finding those moments that can help you push forward in life and fostering a positive relationship with your mental health, rather than alienating yourself from it.

Foamboy’s debut album My Sober Daydream will be available October 1.

“Better” is available now everywhere.

Artists: Wil Bakula & Katy Ohsiek

Director/producer/choreographer: Monika Felice Smith

Assistant to director & co-choregrapher: Jen Apter

DP and camera operator: Dominic López

Dancer 1: Kat Cheng

Dancer 2: Baden Silva

Dancer 3: Shelby Davis

Dancer 4: Genna Moroni

1st AC: Pavel Gazdyuk

Gaffer: Shimon Galiley

Grip/Editor: Peter Vass

Wardrobe Stylist: Taylor Kannett

Colorist: Nate Seymour

PA: Susannah Morgan

Album cover for Foamboy’s My Sober Daydream; Stripes by Samy Benarroch.