We spoke with indie pop rocker Near Tears about her new music video for the single “Love Under Surveillance.” We also talk about some of her music influences, as well as her creative process.

What can you tell us about your new single and music video?

This new single, “Love Under Surveillance,” is about falling in love on the internet. I was playing with the POV of these three lovers online. Two are you and me. And the third is Big Brother, or whatever omniscient eye is tracking our data. Data is the currency of our love now, babe! How romantic! 

In the video I really wanted to play with these different perspectives and play with the ways in which we all distort our own image online. So I shot it all alone in my apartment, on my iPhone and Photo Booth. And I paid homage to cam girls, sort of camming in the video myself. It’s dominating – this is how you will see me! And submitting – I can’t control what you do with my image. We’re all navigating those dynamics in our online lives. This video was really fun to make.

Who would you say are some of your musical influences?

All my blondes – Blondie, Gwen Stefani, Courtney Love.

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?

Don’t save your songs to put out at a “better time,” don’t wait, don’t get backed up. Keep your channels open and flowing.

What is your favorite song to perform live?

This song I’ll never put out called Teenage Appetite. I’ve sort of outgrown the title. But I go nuts onstage with that one, I feel so alive and divine when we play it.

Can you describe your creative process when you’re writing new music?

I have a months-long mental breakdown that I’ll never write again and then a phrase pops into my head and a song writes itself from there.

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Stream “Love Under Surveillance”

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