Shannon Matthew Vanya Shares Single / Video 'It Gets Better' feat. Lévyne

Shannon Matthew Vanya, the project of multi-faceted Tāmaki Makaurau artist Shannon Fowler, has revealed new single 'It Gets Better' plus an impeccably minimal video co-starring guest vocalist Lévyne. Sounding as refreshing as crisp autumn water cascading downwards through a forest stream, the song's smooth 'n' sunny grooves were co-created with pop wunderkind Merk. Shot on Super 16mm film by director Ezra Simons, the classy retro-futuristic visuals also feature Alex Freer (A.C. Freazy) pounding the skins and Matt Clampitt on bass, with lighting technician Lévyne taking over the set with killer dance moves while the band loaf about sipping cups of tea. Fowler's back catalogue includes recordings with such UTR office stereo faves as The Fuzzy Robes and Rick Shrimp — check out the low key banger's all-star clip below, made with support from NZ On Air...

"‘It Gets Better’ was written with my friend Merk (Mark Perkins)... I had half a verse kicking round, I sent the groove to Mark in a little video, “yo what u think of this?” He had his studio just across the road, so I went over and we worked on it that afternoon.

I finished it later in the week but realized it would be super cool if it was a duet. Almost like two characters feeling the same way but hoping things are going to work out. A couple of months later while catching up with my friend Lévyne (Sophie Bialostocki). I remembered the song and asked if she wanted to sing on it. She nailed it and really took it to a whole new realm.

I met Ezra because he had his edit suite next door to me and I would often poke my head in and see what he was working on... We decided that it’d be fun if Levyne was Lighting Assistant, instead of just appearing with the band. The subtle narrative really fit in with the song's message, and the long take at the end of the video serves as a nice pay off to tie the characters together." - Shannon Matthew Vanya

'It Gets Better' is out now on major streaming services via OKIE DOKIE.