Thank Folk For That
21 Feb 2019

The Leisure Society have shared their video for new single God Has Taken A Vacation, featuring esteemed actor (and friend of the band), John Simm.

Speaking on his involvement with the video, Simm said: “When I first heard ‘God Has Taken A Vacation’, I knew I had to be involved in the video. I have been a fan of The Leisure Society for many years, so was thrilled to be able to work with them on their new album”

The video follows a trio as they attempt a heist, disguised in 3 familiar faces…

“On first listen, I immediately thought about all the things that have gone wrong in the world of late. So a heist film where Trump, Putin and Kim Jong-un try to steal data, felt like a good starting place in a godless world”, said director Matt Campion on the video. “Add the brilliant John Simm and a few guns to the mix and we have a film that raises more questions than answers”

God Has Taken A Vacation is lifted from The Leisure Society’s upcoming 5th album Arrivals & Departures – due for release on April 12th.

Speaking on the new single, frontman and songwriter Nick Hemming commented: “I started writing the song about my break up, but world events started finding their way in too. Division, borders, a loss of hope. There were a lot of shared themes!”

Scene from The Leisure Society’s “God Has Taken A Vacation” music video starring Naz Osmanoglu, John Simm and George Lewis.

Due for release on April 12th, the album was recorded in rented and borrowed houses in the Peak District, the Cotswolds and a medieval mansion in Richelieu, France. The band also snuck into Union Chapel in Islington late at night to capture strings and choral sections for the record, which features the likes of Brian Eno and poet Liz Berry, and was mixed by Gareth Jones (known for his work with Grizzly Bear, Nick Cave, and These New Puritans) – and Paul Gregory (Lanterns On The Lake).

The band will also be touring the new record in May, dates below…

May 16 – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
17 – The Blue Arrow Club, Glasgow
18 – Manchester Academy 3, Manchester
19 – The Fleece, Bristol
21 – Norwich Arts Centre, Norwich
22 – Komedia, Studio Bar, Brighton,
23 – The Glee Club, Nottingham
25 – Union Chapel, London