When I started sixth form in secondary school, we were taken away on a camp, to focus and unite us. We had to split into small groups and work on projects that we’d been allocated. I can’t remember anything further, apart from that one group used the Tears For Fears song, ‘Shout’, and it resonated with everyone so much so that it became the theme of the rest of our camp, and we sang it all the way back to school (until we were told to be quiet as the upper sixth form were doing exams).
Trope, an alt-prog/rock band located in Hollywood, Los Angeles, have taken the song and injected it with a darkness that wasn’t originally present but which certainly suits it a great deal. The track comes from their upcoming, and highly anticipated debut album, ‘Eleutheromania’, a word which means, “a manic zeal for freedom”. If you’ve ever listened to the lyrics for ‘Shout’, you’ll therefore know how appropriate the song is for inclusion in an album by that name.
Hypnotic rhythms are blended with darker, progressive elements, with vocalist Diana Studenberg giving the band their signature sound, with her voice going from soft and delicate to angsty – even raging – in swift succession.
Formed in 2016, Trope have performed across the US, Canada, and in Europe, and in their hometown of Los Angeles have taken the stage in legendary venues such as The Whisky A Go-Go and The Viper Room. They’ve also played the main stage the past two years at the world’s largest music festival, Summerfest, alongside the likes of Switchfoot, and Sevendust. They’ve also performed at Hollywood Improv, where world class comedians Iliza Shlesinger (Unveiled/Netflix), Steve-O (Jackass), David Koechner (Anchorman), Bryan Callen (Hangover), Harland Williams (Something About Mary) were on the same bill.
Although not fitting in with their usual musical style, Trope have taken ‘Shout’ and with resonating guitars, powerful vocals, and crashing drums, building into an anthemic release, they’ve made it their own.
Studenberg explains,
“Due to the song’s pop sensibility and 4/4 beat, it didn’t fit into the Trope realm at the time. But as things progressed and electronic instrumentation was replaced with organic instruments including bass, guitars and ebow, the tune took a darker turn and actually really worked for Trope.”
Inspired by the poignant lyrics, particularly the universal message in the lines “those one track minds, that took you for a working boy. Kiss them goodbye, you shouldn’t have to jump for joy.”, it was a no-brainer for Trope to include ‘Shout’ on their album. Studenberg confides,
“How many of us have been in situations where we’re mistreated and looked down on by people who just don’t recognize our value? I believe, in life, we shouldn’t have to placate or put on a clown face and do a fucking happy dance to appease people who behave toxically towards us and lack the foresight to really see who’s in front of them. I see this whole song as a reaffirmation of value and strength and of our ability to move past these situations and people and towards the things that help elevate us emotionally and spiritually.”
The video for ‘Shout’ was directed and filmed by Stewart Whelan, along with the help of an incredible film crew. Whelan’s credits include cinematography on ‘The Flash TV Show’ and Metallica’s ‘Some Kind of Monster’ among others. Dramatic nighttime city landscapes set the scene, intertwined with explosive performance footage, giving audiences an insight into the band’s boundless energy.
You can find Trope online on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Watch the video for ‘Shout’ below.
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