Amidst a slew of garage bands and folksy artists, Gloves INTL melds pop, funk, and electronic together to create what they call “future funk.” The genre might not sound familiar (read: made up)—but hey, Monet was ridiculed when he unveiled “Impression Sunrise” in Paris. It’s all about taking bold steps and making waves, which is exactly what Gloves INTL has done in Austin.
For the bulk of “Mister Bad,” a new video directed by Bobby Scheidemann, the male band members are tied up and blindfolded on a yacht on Lake Travis. Held captive by fellow Gloves INTL band members Sadie and Molly Gillespie, the men are perfectly still save for when it is their cue to sing. A member will raise his head to sing the high-pitched melody only to go slack when their part is over. A Cap’n Tim is seen standing focused and alert at the wheel, but doesn’t lift a finger to stop the women from chasing the guys with bats as they scramble for safety.
Mesmerizing and quirky, the black and white music video kicks off their upcoming self-titled album, which is out on June 24.
Safe to say, the band’s militant nature doesn’t extend past the music video. Gloves INTL aims to be “a hub for any artist in Austin that wants to join ranks with us,” band member Salem Abukhali said. While he, Ajit D’Brass, Colton R. May, and Ben Fisseler make up the core of the group, they welcome artists who offer creativity and perhaps a new instrument to their music. “The four of us are the cooks in the kitchen and we call in different people depending on situation,” Abukhali explains.
The inspiration behind the album came from a variety of artists, including Prince and Kendrick Lamar. With the album, the band endeavors to preserve electronic music without sacrificing a song’s instrumental components. Electronic and hip hop music tends to rely on electronic production tools, and that doesn’t always translate well live, Abukhali said. To keep the “original soul and feel to the music,” Abukhali opts for incorporating live instruments alongside the music made from machines.
The soft, high-pitched yet intense songs on the album make Gloves INTL standout among Austin’s artists. “There are a lot of bands in town that play really aggressively,” Abukhali said. “We wanted to challenge ourselves and write softer and be more pop-inspired.” True trailblazers in future funk, Gloves INTL brings together funk and pop music with a dose of afrobeat influence for good measure to deliver an eclectic and avant garde album.
