Cape Town’s cult psych-shoegaze outfit Filthy Hippies return with a striking new music video for “Miserable”, the latest single from their freshly released album, A Colourful Trip Through Melancholy, out now via Mongrel Records.
More info about Filthy Hippies
Since bursting onto the South African music scene in 2018, Filthy Hippies have carved a unique niche, blending dreamy shoegaze atmospheres with raw psychedelic grit.
Their sound—both immersive and introspective—has earned them a loyal underground following and a reputation as one of the country’s most intriguing alternative acts.
Whether it’s through hypnotic live sets or standout festival appearances like their performance at the 2019 Endless Daze Festival, the band continues to evolve while staying rooted in the emotionally charged sonic terrain they’ve made their own.
This new chapter also sees Filthy Hippies expanding their lineup and re-energising their sound. Founding members Andrew Paine (Vocals/Bass/Guitar), Mandy Backström (Bass/Vocals), and Tim Ball (Guitar) are now joined by Jan-Hendrik Van Wyk (Guitar) and Divan Swanepoel (Drums), rounding out a dynamic five-piece with a richer, more layered sound—both in the studio and on stage.
The music video for “Miserable” is a dreamlike, analogue-laced visual experience that perfectly complements the track’s emotional duality. “We tried to contrast the melancholic vibe of “Miserable” with a cheerfully sung chorus, that hints at the possibility that the protagonist is happy being unhappy,” explains vocalist Andrew Paine.
That tension—between despair and delight—is vividly realised in the visuals, which blend lo-fi textures with distorted performance footage to create a disorienting, yet strangely comforting world.
Check out the video for “Miserable” below:
“Miserable” captures the essence of A Colourful Trip Through Melancholy—a record that glides through nostalgia, longing, and existential haze while staying grounded in the lo-fi crunch of lived experience.
It’s music that invites introspection, offering a fuzzed-out refuge for those navigating the complexities of emotion.
Fans of My Bloody Valentine, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, or South Africa’s own Dangerfields will feel right at home within the Filthy Hippies’ moody, immersive sonic universe.
Watch this space for updates in the Music Videos category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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