From the looks of things, I should have known about Brooklyn-based pop/rock trio Elizabeth & The Catapult YEARS ago, considering the band formed in 2004. Where the eff have I been?! I've definitely seen the name "Elizabeth & The Catapult" floating around my musical periphery but I guess I've never stopped to look (or listen). Typically, when going through my press releases and emails I flag things based on a couple of factors: have I heard of this artist? If not...does it sound like something I would dig? If the answer to both questions is "NO" then I delete. If the answer to just one of those questions is "YES" then it goes onto my TO-DO/REVIEW list. Lucky for me, Elizabeth & The Catapult's music video for "You and Me" made it onto my "YES" pile.
"You and Me" is the lead single off the band's sophomore record, The Other Side of Zero (Verve Forecast) and the video for the single is absolutely beyond adorable. Directed by Ben Richardson, the video chronicles the end of a relationship between a pretty girl and a funny-looking blue alien (no, really) and the ultimate realization that they just can't live without one another in their lives. Frontwoman Elizabeth Ziman plays the part of the girlfriend, while the part of the little blue alien is played by...a little blue alien? Elizabeth's lover looks like a strange mix between ET, Roger (the alien from the American Dad cartoon) and the sad little bouncing rock from those old Zoloft commercials. In other words - FRICKIN' WEIRD. The video takes us on a trip through their day-to-day lives without one another, ultimately ending in a chance meeting on the street that reunites the lovers. I do love a good happy ending.
Elizabeth Ziman is mesmerizing to watch and a pleasure to hear. She's a little bit Zooey Deschanel (She & Him) mixed with Sara Bareilles with a little bit of Feist and maybe a sprinkle of Kate Nash thrown in for good measure. Go pick up the single "You and Me" on iTunes HERE and if you like what you hear, why not download the new album The Other Side of Zero (HERE) or maybe first album Taller Children (HERE). You won't be disappointed!
Check out Elizabeth & The Catapult on the web: