Asbury Park, NJ sandwich enthusiast Mike Chick returns with a music video for “Dang Cold”, the newest single from his latest album, More Thrills, Less Hills, out now via Mint 400 Records. “Dang Cold” is beat-infused organ rock that nods its bucket hat and twirls a fork full of linguini to groups like Beck and Beastie Boys and the programming of Adult Swim.
Chick says, “I was nervous to release Dang Cold because it was so different from anything I had done up to that point. I played the demo for my fam in Yawn Mower and the consensus was very positive.” Biff Swenson said, “It makes me happy that this is what you are working on when you aren’t working on YM songs” and Eric James Guy Friedman said bluntly, “that’s the most Mike Chick sh*t I’ve ever heard.”
Dang Cold features call and response lyrics from Mint 400 Recording artist, El Valerie. “We had just worked together on her song “I Always Hold On A Little Too Long”, so as I was writing Dang Cold, I could hear Val singing these lyrics. I think she nailed the vibe.” The track also features Ryan Gregg on various organs. Chick says, “Ryan came over and I was just flapping my hands up and down to try and explain my idea for the organ parts of the song; no notes, just hand movements.” Gregg said, “I think I know what you want." If you listen closely you can hear the organ solo Gregg played while filming his scenes for the video. “It was in key and sounded cool over the existing track, so I figured why not leave the audio in? It’s a little bonus.” says Chick.
The video was filmed by Biff Swenson, Richie Brown and Chick throughout the summer of 2024 in locations such as Biff’s cousins’ house and backyard, Richie’s studio, Fusaro Pizza in Manahawkin, and Chick’s house. Dang Cold features guest spots from Tiffany Penna, who translated the song lyrics into American Sign Language (ASL), dancing from the king of lofi basement mold himself, Whole Wheat and last but not least Chick’s mom, Bev Chick, who can be seen waving from the convertible.
Chick concludes, “I’m excited how the video came out. I think we all executed the idea I had in my head as close as we possibly could with what we had available to us. That’s how it is when you don’t have budgets for things. You have to make them happen on your own. Which is a sort of magic that money can’t buy. Thank you to everyone that participated in this project. I hope y’all enjoy it.”
The video was edited by Mike Chick’s Yawn Mower bandmate Biff Swenson, who also shot and edited Chick’s videos for Deep Moat, I Hate Surfing and Shake What They Gave You. More Thrills, Less Hills, is Chick’s third LP and follows 2022’s I Don’t Write Love Songs. Both are out now via Mint 400 Records.
Bandcamp:
https://mikechick.bandcamp.com/track/dang-cold-2
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/track/1VhcbqihJsLfcAxYtAMHYW?si=8aba1c56e06e4e93