The new era of Alice Ivy is all about finding and doing what makes you happy. Even if that means eating at Benihana.
The Australian producer and multi-instrumentalist recently returned with the dazzling “Howlin’ at the New Moon”, a sterling collaboration with Mayer Hawthorne.
The track, which includes Ivy’s own vocals for the first time in many years, features a booming baseline battling with a funky groove; it’s little wonder that Ivy’s vocals gleefully cry, “the beat has got me losing my mind.”
The commanding and charismatic presence of Hawthorne steals the show whenever his vocals are present: his droll adlibs are a refreshing addition to Ivy’s growing list of guest spots. “Take me to Benihana, baby / Take me to Chateau,” he drawls, adding coolly that it “doesn’t matter where we go.”
In describing the track, Hawthorne just couldn’t get his mind out of a certain Japanese restaurant chain. “This song is more explosive than an onion volcano at Benihana!” he says. “Alice is like a hibachi chef on the boards – we had so much fun making this one!”
Ivy was equally enthused about the collaboration. “It’s honestly been a dream of mine to work with him. Mayer and I were both writing in New York last year and Mayer had a last minute cancellation so we jumped in together!
“”Howlin’…” came about in just a few hours. I was internally losing my shit as soon as he started putting his vocals down. What you hear on the track are all first takes! Absolutely flawless. Hands down one of my favourite collaborations of all time.”
Today, Ivy – real name Annika Schmarsel – has unveiled the music video for “Howlin’ at the New Moon”. Directed by Jesse Leaman, the clip finds Ivy getting happily busy in the recording studio; she pounds on keys, she plays guitar, and claps her hands. A lot.
You can watch the full music video for the first time below.
Ivy’s new single will feature on her upcoming third studio album, Do What Makes You Happy. It’s the follow-up to 2020’s Don’t Sleep, which earned the producer two nominations at that year’s ARIA Awards (Best Dance Release and Engineer of the Year).
Don’t Sleep was also nominated for the 2020 Australian Music Prize, meaning expectations will be high coming into Do What Makes You Happy.
This will be Ivy’s first album released on her new label home, Helix Records (Snakehips, San Holo), which makes her the first Australian female producer to join the esteemed Helix roster.
Alice Ivy’s “Howlin’ at the New Moon” (ft. Mayer Hawthorne) is out now.
