British-born Nathan Mercado, aka Spider Cherry, recently released his new single/music video, “Little Bit Shy,” a smart, sharply composed track that dances at the intersection between glam-rock, contemporary pop, and carnival music, complete with stuttering piano, danceable beats, and a tasty, distortion-saturated lead guitar.
Spider Cherry’s put-downs and pronouncements are passionately delivered; he’s funny, irreverent, and pugnacious, and every bit the model of the confident rock showman.
At its heart, “Little Bit Shy” is an explanation for his wild behavior — and maybe a bit of an apology, too. “Little Bit Shy” leads with an acknowledgment of the singer’s ADHD and concludes with a cleverly selected quote from Hot Chip. In between, there’s a river of wine, a floored gas pedal, candy, nightmares, burned-out bulbs, pride, unapologetic hedonism, and a hint of sheepishness, too.
“I’m a baby,” Spider Cherry concedes, “but I do not cry.”
The video is a visual extravaganza depicting Spider Cherry transforming from an adult into a raging toddler who hijacks the woman he wants and imposes his will on his environment.
Tattoo.com spoke with Spider Cherry to find out more about the song’s inspiration, the source of the name Spider Cherry, and his creative process.
What inspired your new single/music video, “Little Bit Shy?”
The effect of ADHD which I wasn’t too familiar with before I arrived in the States, then some friends showed me a drug called Adderall that was prescribed to them. It turns a shy person into an eccentric person in my opinion. Hence the idea was sprung and then the story of ‘Little Bit Shy’ began.
Who directed the video and where was it shot?
The video was produced and directed by Kid Wonder Lust and it was shot at my cousin’s community in Coral Springs.
The video is wonderfully innovative. Who came up with the visual concept?
I came up with the concept and myself and the director worked to keep it within budget. I originally thought the idea would be a baby and its mother as a bad mother to her child, but we inverted the idea that the girl I fancied would be on a date with another guy and then I turn into a baby.
What do you want people to take away from the single/video?
I want them to visualize the concept of fun with a message to be yourself, and to be more self-deprecating so as to not be too serious.
What’s the story behind the name Spider Cherry?
SPIDER CHERRY is the yin and the yang. The sweet and the poisonous. Red and black were always my favorite colors and I like the concept of two things coming together to create something completely different, I also play two pianos like a spider and the cherries on the top hat.
How did you get started in music?
I started playing piano when I was five and started doing shows at the age of 15.
Which singers/musicians influenced your sound?
I like to take the theatrics from Queen, the songwriting of Elton John, the danceability of Michael Jackson, and the grunge of Nirvana.
If you had to describe your sound to the uninitiated, what would you say?
Eclectic, theatrical, rock, soul, funky, pop.
Why do you make music?
Because I have nothing else to do.
What can you share about your writing process?
It’s forever changing. It can start with the melody, or it could start with an idea. It could start with a cord. It could start with a drumbeat. It could start with a feeling.
Which artists in your opinion are killing it right now?
I’m not sure what to answer. Whoever feels they’re in a place of success.
How do you define success?
I don’t define success. Every day is a blessing, and every person has different forms of success.
What can your fans look forward to over the next six months? Live gigs? Music videos?
I do shows 4 to 5 times a week. You can check them out on our website. I have two singles and music videos ready to go: one about the attention span of people on their phones, and the other about woke-ism. Stay tuned for a lot more to come.
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