Directed by Ericka Clevenger @erickaclevenger
Director of Photography David Morrison @vidmorrison
Starring Beth Jeans Houton @du.blonde and Ian Bratschie @ianbratschie
Makeup by Will Covey @willcoveymua
I’ve known Du Blonde for nearly fifteen years, and last week, we finally had the chance to reconnect in Los Angeles to collaborate on a wildly fun, psycho-cute music video for their new single “Next Big Thing.” We had one clear vision: a Y2K-inspired, teen revenge fantasy—but with a twist. Revenge, but make it cute! The whole concept blended the rebellious energy of the early 2000s with a modern, vibrant aesthetic, and the result is just as delightfully chaotic as you’d imagine.
We shot the entire video in a single day, a whirlwind of creativity and excitement. The visual style is a nod to the ’90s skate culture—think fisheye lenses, DIY vibes, and raw, unfiltered performances straight to the camera. It’s gritty but with a sprinkle of glitter, the kind of thing that makes you feel nostalgic yet completely in the moment.
One of the most fascinating parts of the process was exploring the themes of revenge and anger. These emotions can manifest in so many ways, and as humans, we constantly evolve through various stages of those feelings. By contrasting a nun and a demon in the video, we played with the idea of duality—innocence versus chaos—while keeping everything incredibly cute and colorful. The vibrant palette softened the edges of the aggression, adding layers of sweetness to the underlying fury, making it both visually arresting and emotionally complex.
You can feel that balance of softness and intensity throughout. It’s a wild ride that’s equal parts cathartic and cute—perfectly encapsulating the push and pull between anger and self-expression.
Make sure to check out the music video, along with the exclusive photoshoot and interview we did below! You won’t want to miss this playful, punky take on what it means to unleash your inner rebel.
I released my first album at 21 with a band, and I loved that time. But by the second album, people saw me as just a singer with a band. Since I played with guys, no one realized I was writing and arranging the music, too. I was also labeled as “freak-folk,” which I enjoyed, but I knew deep down I wanted to make rock.
So, despite my label’s advice, I rebranded and chose a new name—Du Blonde. It helped me redefine my style and boosted my confidence on stage. As Du Blonde, I felt more free, my stage fright faded, and I could show up as the adult I had become, not the teenager everyone expected me to stay.
I’ve always been inspired by ’60s/’70s rock, glam rock, and singer-songwriter folk-rock like Neil Young and Big Star. Visually, I love the vibe of those eras too. As a kid, I was obsessed with things like Meatloaf and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. But I’m also driven by feelings and nostalgia. Almost every album I’ve made is designed for road trips—either the stories you gather on the road or imagining what’s playing while you’re cruising down a highway, stopping at diners, and checking out quirky roadside attractions.
I usually start by strumming a guitar, finding the chord progression and melody first. That sets the tone—is it sad, happy, angry, or wild? Then, I’ll sing some random lyrics as placeholders. Once the basics are recorded, I sit down and really work on the words.
But sometimes, I know exactly what I want to write about before starting. That’s how it was with “Out of a Million.” I went to the studio that day ready to write a breakup song about weed.
Honestly, I just ask. In my experience, lots of artists are open to collaborations and would probably do more if asked. When I’m writing a song, sometimes someone’s voice or vibe just pops into my head. That happened with “Solitary Individual”—I could hear Laura Jane Grace’s voice on it even more than my own. So we reached out, and when she said yes, I had to reread the email like three times! I feel so lucky to have worked with such amazing people. I often think back to my shy 13-year-old self and realize how many of my wildest dreams came true before I even turned 21 – I’m truly very lucky!
Next Big Thing” is a reflection of my first 15 years in the music industry. From being only fifteen years old and hearing audience members shout, “Take your top off!” at shows, to label execs telling me not to be so “sensitive” about sexual harassment. Every line in the song comes from something said to me, but almost any woman or femme-presenting musician can share similar stories. Having Skin on this track is an honor—not just because she influences kids like me in the ’90s, but because she’s always spoken out about being a frontwoman in a male-dominated space. Pioneers like her paved the way for young girls and queer kids who didn’t see themselves on TV or big stages, and I’m so grateful to have her on this song.
Either In Watermelon Sugar or Trout Fishing in America, both by Richard Brautigan. There’s something about the way he slips surreal elements into everyday scenarios has always felt really comforting to me.
Camarillo Brillo by Frank Zappa. I first heard it in the car when I was 13 and my eyes literally widened. It has some kind of magical energy and for me it’s the perfect mix of 70s rock, pop and absurdism.
Sushi for sure. But spaghetti is a close second!
My mum. She taught me not to take any shit and to follow my heart when it came to my career while also advising me to make it work financially. She taught me to dream but to do so realistically and in a way that I can make my dreams sustainable.
Either a month long road trip with someone who makes me laugh, or a date where I’m stood up and don’t have to think about interacting with anyone, but I’ve already got myself out of the house and can enjoy whatever activity alone.
Having comfort items around really helps. My bear, Snoozy, has been with me for 27 years and has her own personality now, so she’s a huge source of comfort. I also keep everyday things close, like my Carmex, earplugs, and a bottle of water. If we’re talking literally, I use a grounding sheet at night. You plug it into the wall, and it’s like sleeping for 8 hours on the earth. I started using it when I had long COVID, and the difference it made was incredible.
I’ve been fortunate to have many memorable moments, but the best is when the audience sings my songs back to me. Releasing music online can feel so disconnected, so there’s nothing like walking on stage at a festival or sold-out show and seeing real people who chose to spend their hard-earned money to share that moment with you.
A standout moment was realizing I’d recouped the cost of my first independently released album, Homecoming. After 15 years with different labels and seeing little financial reward, going independent felt like a huge risk. It turned out to be the best decision I ever made, both for my finances and my mental health.
My soul wants to say Halloween but my heart is saying Christmas. Christmas wasn’t a big thing in our family growing up, but as an adult, I’m realizing I actually really love it, so each year I try to give my child self a bit of Christmas magic.
My new album ‘Sniff More Gritty’ is dropping on November 15th. After that I’m headed out on a U.K. headline tour with an awesome band I love – bigfatbig (check them out. For fans of Paramore, Hannah Montana and The Front Bottoms). I’m stoked to be getting back on stage again and I’m excited to hear how these new songs will sound live with a full band. Aside from the drums, I recorded everything myself in my basement studio, so hearing the parts being played by a group of different humans at the same time will be really wild.
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