Of Mice & Men have premiered a new video for their song “Real.” The band worked with the Marfan Foundation, Living the Dream Foundation, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on the video, which is dedicated to a young fan named Cassy Colunga, who recently lost her battle with brain cancer. The song is from the band’s new album, “Cold War,” which will be released on September 9.
Austin Carlile told Rolling Stone the following about the video:
“We shot it in Portland, Oregon, during a day off from tour. We asked fans to submit footage holding up poster boards that explain what makes them feel real. The images that pop up mention everything from music to foster care activism to the Marfan’s Community to St. Jude’s hospital. And some people wrote stuff like, ‘Reading,’ ‘My friends,’ ‘Family.’ We even had some fans in the studio while we were recording, just to include them more in the process.”
He also added the following about the song’s meaning.
“People always try to change things and take away what makes you who you are, and we wanted to write a song saying that you can be who you no matter what other people think. It doesn’t matter if you fit in or if other people accept what you want to do. You have to stay real to yourself, and in the end that’s all that matters.”
Head to Rolling Stone to read their full interview with Carlile, in which he discusses his struggles with Marfan Syndrome, his decision to kick prescription drugs, and more.
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