“Gloria is an addict. Her character was inspired by a member of my family, and no amount of love or resources could save her” – Lead Vocalist, Wesley Schultz
The Lumineers has released a poignant new music video today called ‘Gloria’ and it’s the first single from their upcoming full-length visual album ‘III’, out 13th September on Decca/Dualtone. The album is being released in three chapters in a cinematic, visual format where songs from each chapter focus on a primary character from the three generations of the fictional Sparks Family. Each chapter will be released as an audio EP within the full-length album. The 3-song Chapter I audio EP was released in full on Friday and revolves around the family matriarch, Gloria Sparks.
Themes include subjects which are very meaningful to The Lumineer’s lead vocalist, Wesley Schultz. He explains, “Gloria is an addict. Her character was inspired by a member of my family, and no amount of love or resources could save her. She’s now been homeless for over a year. Loving an addict is like standing among the crashing waves, trying to bend the will of the sea.”
The visuals are very hard-hitting and dramatic. The actress Anna Cordell plays Gloria and Josh Close plays Gloria’s husband, William. ‘Gloria’ is cinematic and passionate showcasing the lyrics:
Gloria, I smell it on your breath
Gloria, booze and peppermint
Gloria, no one said enough is enough
Gloria, they found you on the floor
Gloria, my hand was tied to yours
And, Gloria, did you finally see that enough is enough?
As well as the heartbreaking visuals for ‘Gloria’, videos for the remaining Chapter I songs ‘Donna’ and ‘Life In The City’ will be released tomorrow (21 May) and Wednesday (22 May) respectively.
The subsequent chapters focus on Gloria’s grandson Junior (Chapter II), and then her son Jimmy Sparks (Chapter III). The visuals are directed by Kevin Phillips (known for his indie movies ‘Super Dark Times’ and ‘Too Cool For School’) and produced by Neighborhood Watch.
‘III’ is the third album by two-time GRAMMY-nominated band The Lumineers. It follows two platinum albums, their self-titled 2012 debut, which stormed into the Top 10 of the UK Official Album Chart (and was certified triple-platinum in 2018), and their second album, ‘Cleopatra’, released in 2016, which hit No.1 in both the UK Official Album Charts and No.1 on the Billboard Top 200 in its week of release.
Later this year, the band will be touring across the US and Europe as well as shows at three UK arenas including a date at London’s O2 Arena.
Tour dates:
November 1 Campo Pequeno Lisbon, Portugal
November 2 WiZink Center Madrid, Spain
November 4 Alcatraz Milan, Italy
November 6 Halle 622 Zurich, Switzerland
November 7 Zenith Munich, Germany
November 9 Gasometer Vienna, Austria
November 10 Forum Karlin Prague, Czech Republic
November 13 Sporthalle Hamburg, Germany
November 14 Verti Music Hall Berlin, Germany
November 16 Ancienne Belgique Brussels, Belgium
November 18 TivoliVredenburg Utrecht, Netherlands
November 19 Palladium Cologne, Germany
November 20 Le Zénith Paris, France
November 22 The SSE Hydro Glasgow, UK
November 24 Manchester Arena Manchester, UK
November 27 The O2 London, UK
November 29 3Arena Dublin, Ireland