Vampire Slumber Party release new single 'Little Light'

Pop-punk trio Vampire Slumber Party release new single ‘Little Light’ - a heartfelt, upbeat track about experiencing everyday racism. This single follows ‘Look Alive, Judy’ released in May in anticipation of their forthcoming EP expected at the end of the year.

Starting out during lockdown as a solo project by London-based musician Yusuf Laher, the band is now a three-piece with Yusuf joined by Pippa (Werecats, Blank Heads) on bass and backing vocals and Charlie Gray (Laserchrist, Kingfisher) on drums.

“Historically, the song is influenced by me being mixed race, growing up as an outsider in a previously all-white, post-Apartheid high school in South Africa,” says Yusuf about the inspiration behind the song. “Of course, the school was heavily divided into segregated racial groups, so racism was everywhere and I didn't fit in with anyone.”

Yusuf tells us about the relentlessness of casual racism into adulthood, from encounters with police officers to tree surgeons to sales assistants, which are touched on in ‘Little Light’. As he tries to make sense of why this “always” happens to him, the chorus of “Hold my breath and count to ten / And walk away” is a reminder that in these instances of casual racism we’re often better off walking away than wasting our energy on these people because our justified reactions might just get us into more trouble than it’s worth. Putting these experiences and unspoken words into song offers catharsis and that’s what ‘Little Light’ is - a cathartic pop-punk bop.

Vampire Slumber Party also released a music video to accompany the new single - the footage is combination of them jamming along to the track with Salacious Crumb plush making an appearance and a road trip to Hastings, UK. “Pippa thought Salacious Crumb might be fun to include, because he's an alien and people probably spell his name wrong all the time too,” says Yusuf. “I've had friends spell my name wrong wishing me happy birthday on Facebook, right next to my actual name.”

On the upcoming release of their 7-track debut as a trio, Yusuf says, “I think it's really cool and fun, because it definitely documents us turning into a real band with three different humans, not a solo project like it used to be.”

‘Little Light’ is out today on all streaming platforms. Support Vampire Slumber Party on Bandcamp and follow them on Instagram.