Minneapolis-based artist and producer student 1 puts a fun, groovy spin on vulnerability with experimental fourth album, truant, out now. Alongside its release is “idcicantbeherefortoolong” and its video. The latest work is an introspective, raw exploration of the difficult, messy parts–feeling absent, distracted and avoidant–while continuing the search for joy, freedom and hope.

 

 

Student 1 will embark on a U.S. tour this summer with Philadelphia-based rapper Ghais Guevara including Los Angeles, New York City, Nashville, three Texas dates and more. The official album release show is tonight at Chicago’s Bookclub with punk band Champions and support from hip-hop artist CRASHprez. See a full list of dates, with new dates added, below and find tickets here.

Entirely written, mixed and mastered by student 1, the twelve tracks on truant focus on personal, specific moments of aimlessness, feeling mentally absent, avoidance, and addiction, and how these moments inform who he’s become in both good and bad ways, while additionally feeling like the dysfunction these moments create is part of something bigger. Co-production credits include YUSF, LEEszn, and dog owner man.

It was during the making of the project that the artist dug himself out of a creative funk. Student 1 shares, “It’s inspired by the problems these moments create and have created (as well as the desire to solve them), the headspace I was in, drugs, and not being able to articulate important feelings and thoughts. There isn’t a substantial focus on this aspect outside of some subtle mentions, but I do mention the loss of a parent, as my father passed away during the making of the album.”

Out today with the album, “idcicantbeherefortoolong” is one of the artist’s favorite tracks on the project. Made with friends, it came together quickly, built around lines that were cheeky and unserious. Aiming to make one song a day without applying pressure to the challenge, student 1 adds, “It’s called ‘idcicantbeherefortoolong’ because this exercise was difficult for me, and I had to learn how to not care so much in order to complete the exercise.”

On the chaotic, color-changing video, student 1 says, “This is probably the video with the strongest narrative element, came up with it the day we started shooting. It’s basically a ‘day in the life’ style series of events, following me from morning until evening, with some shenanigans that happen by the end as a result of how I went about the day.” It includes a cameo from collaborator dog owner man, who plays his boss.

Director and editor Erik Astle adds, “Stu is so willing to do the craziest stuff for shots, and I try not to exploit that too much. Hanging him upside down (with the help of his manager) for the dangerous opening shot starts this chaotic video with a fall.”