What do you get when you have a shared love for ska music and 8 Bit video game soundtracks? Well, if you’re Chris Graue, you get Lo(u)ser. Blending ska, punk, power pop, and chiptune, Graue has now released two new tracks as Lo(u)ser since last Fall: “Growing Up” and “Set It All On Fire.” Both songs are super happy sounding and catchy, but when you listen to them with a more critical ear, you’ll hear some pretty meaningful lyrics about the struggle and challenges that come with growing up, and finally letting go and living life.
There are definitely many layers to Lo(u)ser’s music, making it enjoyable to several types of people. Like ska? Check it out. Like chiptune? There’s something there for you too! What about catchy power pop? These songs will scratch that itch too.
Aside from working on Lo(u)ser, Graue is behind the camera for some of the best music videos in independent music today. If you’ve seen any of the latest videos from The Bombpops, We Are The Union, NOFX, Reel Big Fish, Bite Me Bambi, or Scott Klopfenstein, chances are Chris directed them.
Below, Chris talks about his music, other 8 bit ska bands, and the importance of community within the ska scene. Read along to find out what he has to say about those topics, and much more.
Before I knew you as Lo(u)ser, I’ve seen music videos, live concert videos, and interviews you’ve been doing for the last decade. What inspired you to cross the aisle and start putting music out?
It was actually the other way around! I’ve been in bands for a long time, and that was how I figured out that bands needed help in the video department. I started bringing a camera to shows and making little highlight reels and stuff that nobody really liked at the time, but went on to become what everybody posts as show recaps on Instagram. And music videos became my way of doing short films that anybody might actually watch.
For the uninitiated, what can people expect from Lo(u)ser?
Sad boi 8 bit ska punk.
Aside from you, there are folks like Tape Girl and Eichlers emerging to the forefront of this chiptune/laptop ska hybrid. What is it about those elements with ska that you like the most?
Chiptone gang! For me, it was just about combining my two loves in music. 8 bit ska was something I wanted to hear, but wasn’t finding much of. I’m glad that a few of us picked up on that around the same time (also don’t miss Wabisavita).
Your first single is “Growing Up,” which hits on so many different levels because the kids who played all the systems in the videos are now in their 40s. Did that play into the decisions that were made for the music video?
There’s a tonal match for sure. Honestly, the idea stemmed from trying to think of the most shocking thing I could do to open a music video. The idea was to just raw dog an NES, which obviously would have gotten taken down, but then I started thinking about what would be the logical next steps of that. Would the NES have a baby? I guess it would come out of the flap? What would the kid be? Oh, obviously a GameBoy. After that, it was a lot of bending the grotesque and strange back into something that fit the vibe and meaning of the song in a way that could be relatable even though it’s weird af.
Speaking of all the consoles of yesteryear, what was the best game ever from your childhood and why?
I played Bubsy for Sega Genesis so much the store we rented it from eventually let me buy it off them. ToeJam and Earl 2 was also a hit around here.
You work with We Are The Union on your new single. They’re also one of the bands you’ve done several music videos for. How different was it for you to collaborate with them on your music since you’ve mainly worked with them on music videos in the past?
WATU is one of my favorite bands AND groups of people to be around. Reed has been involved in all my songs on the mixing/post side, so conning -er- forcing -er- requesting their involvement was an easy thing. Much like our videos, I come up with something that will be fun for me, while Reed and Brent suffer through actually having to do what I tell them.
Is the level in the video for “Set It All On Fire” real, and if so, how do I play it?
Yes, it is! If you’ve got Super Mario Maker 2 for Switch, you can look for the course ID BXS-NV4-WKF and start the song on Spotify or something as soon as Mario starts moving. Just be quick to hit down when you land on a pipe or it’ll drift!
As the world begins to open back up again in the near future, what are your plans for Lo(u)ser? More music? Playing shows?
Definitely more music, and definitely shows whenever that’s a good idea. Stay tuned and follow whatever social medias of mine you’re into because I’m making a lot of stuff I think you’ll like.
As someone who is so intertwined with the ska scene because of the videos you shoot, where do you see ska headed in the next year or so?
Straight to the moon! Ska is the real rocket, fuck Tesla, fuck bitcoin. SKA!
Do you have any advice for young ska bands who are trying to make a name for themselves in 2021?
Yeah, stop doing that. It’s a real bad time. But really, find a community, make cool stuff, and try to think outside the box. The community part comes first. No one is gonna care about you unless you care about them.
What bands are you the most excited about these days?
Besides the ones named earlier, oh man. So many. We Are The Union, Bite Me Bambi, Kill Lincoln, Catbite, Half Past Two, Devon Kay & the Solutions…so many friends are doing really cool stuff. I didn’t even name them all and I’m sorry.
What’s the best way for people to support your music during pandemic times?
If you feel the need to throw money at me, bandcamp is great. I’ve got some merch on my site as well, but honestly, more than that, I just really appreciate when people tell their friends about it. Be a super fan. Pretend I’m in BTS and become the person all your friends hate because you’re posting about me way too much until they all at least check it out. This is true for every band you like.
Any last words?
No. I’ll be surprised if anyone reads this much of anything I have to say to begin with.