ROYAL AND THE SERPENT COVER LEAD BELLY’S ‘WHERE DID YOU SLEEP LAST NIGHT?’

LA-based alternative singer/songwriter ROYAL & THE SERPENT has joined the growing list of heavy hitters contributing to the official soundtrack for Sumerian Comics’ American Psycho comic book series. Today’s release sees her lend her unique spin to Lead Belly‘s ‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night?’, produced by Keith “Ten4” Sorrels of The Orphanage & Alex Nice.

Listen to ‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night?’ here.

Speaking on her contribution to the American Psycho Comic Book Series Soundtrack, ROYAL & THE SERPENT shares:
“I’ll never forget the first time I watched the iconic Nirvana MTV unplugged performance. My heart nearly stopped when I heard Kurt’s rendition of ‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night?’. I’ve been dreaming of covering this song for the entire length of my career – and this opportunity seemed like the perfect fit. I was able to get into the studio with a long time collaborator of mine – Keith Sorrells – and lose myself in the music. I recorded the entire song in one take, lying on the floor in a pitch black vocal booth, channeling all of the depth the song holds. Thank you again to Sumerian Records for having me – what a pleasure this was to create.”

Nathan Yocum, President of Sumerian Comics , adds:
“Royal & the Serpent’s haunting rendition of ‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night?’ perfectly captures the mood of our ‘American Psycho’ comic book series, blending raw emotion with a dark, modern edge. This is a dream collaboration for our team and it couldn’t have turned out better!”

The American Psycho comic book series by Sumerian Comics is a bold reimagining of Patrick Bateman’s notorious saga. The five-issue series delves into a dual storyline format; one tracing the chilling exploits of Bateman, and the other introducing a contemporary narrative featuring Charlene Carruthers—a social media-savvy millennial whose descent into violence mirrors the chilling escalation of her predecessor. This innovative take reinterprets the iconic tale with a story written byMichael Calero (Quested), vivid artwork by Piotr Kowalski (The Witcher, Bloodborne, Sex) and striking colors by Brad Simpson (Kong of Skull Island, Stray Dogs, Blade Runner Origins).

Today’s release joins previously released tracks from the likes of Ice Nine Kills (ft. Reel Big Fish), who tackled the Katrina and The Waves smash hit, ‘Walking On Sunshine‘, Puscifer, who recorded a brand new, original single, ‘The Algorithm’ for the comic book series, Unlike Pluto who covered Eurythmics ‘Sweet Dreams‘, Perturbator, who covered ‘Dangerous‘ by Depeche Mode and Ramsey, who covered Leadbelly‘s ‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night‘. Between them, the previously released tracks have racked up over 677,000 streams with current sales for the comic book series topping 80,000 units.

Fans of the American Psycho franchise can look forward to more from the accompanying soundtrack for the comic book series that perfectly complements the visual frenzy and deepens the narrative’s impact, making each issue a multifaceted experience of sight and sound. Head to the Sumerian Comics website for more information and to order your copies of American Psycho.

 

ABOUT ROYAL & THE SERPENT:
ROYAL & THE SERPENT is an artist entirely unafraid to bare the deepest and darkest parts of her psyche. After making her Atlantic Records debut with the 2020 EP, get a grip – highlighted by the RIAA Gold-certified single ‘Overwhelmed’, which spent 22 weeks on Billboard’s “Alternative Airplay” chart – the L.A.-based singer-songwriter revealed even more of her frenetic inner world In 2022 with IF I DIED WOULD ANYONE CARE and Happiness Is An Inside Job. Royal introduced fans to the “royalverse” in 2023, dropping 4 double-sided RAT TRAP singles throughout the year. Among the highlights, RAT TRAP I: the blueprint features the powerfully inspiring, fan favourite LGBTQ+ anthem, ‘One Nation Underdogs’. RAT TRAP 2: the burn ***** arrived next, followed by RAT TRAP 3: the band-aid and RAT TRAP 4: the burden.

Originally from New Jersey, Royal started in dance and theatre, and first took up guitar at age 14, then relocated to L.A. at age 18. While working as a bartender, Royal soon started self-releasing her music, beginning with her spellbinding 2017 single ‘Temperance’. Thanks to the buzz behind songs like 2019’s ‘Weddings & Funerals’ and ‘Salvador Dali’ – as well as her electrifying live show – she eventually inked a deal with Atlantic and released ‘Overwhelmed’ in the early days of Covid lockdown.

Royal’s unfiltered songwriting has proved wildly resonant to her ever-growing fanbase, building a close-knit community of fans undeniably drawn to her one-of-a-kind balance of intense sensitivity and unruly self-possession. “The main reason I make music is that it’s the best therapy I could ever ask for: the process of taking everything in my brain and putting it on paper and then singing it out loud for people is so helpful and healing for me. The idea that my own expression can affect people in positive ways is such a blessing and a gift; I don’t ever take it lightly. I just want to keep telling my truth and reach as many people as I possibly can, and see where this little journey takes us.”

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