Infusing encouragingly relatable, upbeat lyrics with alluringly vibrant punkabilly-inspired instrumentation leads to an engaging, memorable musical journey. The newly formed alternative musical duo, the North Vancouver District-based The Beatroot Road, has recently released the music video for its fourth single, ‘Morbid Love.’ The rock-n-roll song is driven by its engaging insight into the self-destructive aftermath of heartache by a woman who has been hurt by love.

Led by multi-instrumentalist Mark Russell and fiddle player Hazel Fairbairn, the band has been releasing a new single every six weeks since last fall, which will culminate in an album being released this spring. The Beatroot Road’s latest single, which also includes a Celtic and North American fusion, features gritty vocals from guest singer Katie Burke.

The group’s rendition of ‘Morbid Love’ has been recorded over the course of the past 40 years in three sessions. The track was written by Demmy James and Apes, with guitar from Richard ‘Titch’ English, motorcycle cog played by Harvey B. and drum kit by Russell, which were all recorded in the 1980s. The fiddle solos and keyboards were recorded in the late ’90s, with vocals, rockabilly fiddle, bass and bodhran recorded in 2022. The bassline was written by Dee Dee Hoptone in the ’80s, but wasn’t recorded by Russell until 30 years later.

The tune’s video was directed by Vancouver filmmaker Atsu Kanno, and features actors Yoonie Kim and Monica Pop. Video. Russell also served as a producer on the video and music recording.

With ‘Morbid Love,’ the members of The Beatroot Road have once again encapsulated their soulful, fearless and unique musical expression, which pays tribute to their experiences and artistic traditions. Russell and Fairbairn crafted a pulsating punkabilly beat through frenzied layers of harmonics, which highlights the sensation of emotions in turmoil. Also backed by a tension-inducing fiddle that evokes the feeling of incipient hysteria, Burke’s evocative vocals capture the instinctual passion that the instrumentalists envisioned for the song.

The music video for ‘Morbid Lovem’ further showcases the heartbreak the heroine is experiencing by following her painful, isolated exploration in a major city. Images of Burke’s face as she’s singing the track are superimposed over the city streets that the protagonist is walking down. The wronged main character is shown to be in such pain that she can only focus on revenge and not being able to form new connections.

‘Morbid Love’ thrives on its engaging insight into the self-destructive aftermath of heartache. Russell and Fairbairn crafted a pulsating punkabilly-Celtic-rock-n-roll single that pays tribute to their artistic traditions and relatable heartbreak. Also backed by a tension-inducing fiddle and harmonics that evoke the feeling of panic and pain, Burke’s vocals capture the passion that people can long hold towards a relationship.

For more information on The Beatroot Road, visit its official website, as well as its
Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Spotify, Apple, Boomplay and YouTube pages.