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Scary Pockets: Redefining Covers
The cover song has a special place in the history of popular music. Before singers were expected to be songwriters, you could hear the same songs covered by Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Miles Davis in one year. In the contemporary landscape, you have to be very intentional if you’re going to cover a well-known song. Keep reading to learn about one of the best groups doing covers right now: Scary Pockets.
Where Did They Come From?
Scary Pockets is a rotating band of funk musicians led by musician and cultural innovator Jack Conte. Back in the early days of YouTube, Conte uploaded original songs and covers in a style he dubbed “video songs.” A step up from music videos and perfect for the internet age, these were essentially filmed, live-in-the-studio performances — imagine a well-produced music video that has the rawness of a live clip.
In 2008, Jack Conte and his wife Nataly Dawn formed the band Pomplamoose. They quickly blew up and inspired a movement of these types of video songs. Though Conte’s songs were generally more folk-pop, this style caught on with players of funk, soul, and jazz, since those styles of music function best in a live setting. Bands of these genres like Vulfpeck, Snarky Puppy, and Knower.
Scary Pockets was the next logical step, with Jack Conte finally joining the funk video-song wave that he inadvertently started.
The Scary Pockets Formula
Scary Pockets was formed in 2017. With Conte the CEO and founder of Patreon, it’s hard to see how he would have the time to create music at the level of Vulfpeck. But Scary Pocket has a dynamite formula: pick a pop music standard — maybe by The Fugees or Gnarls Barkley or Tame Impala — then assemble a team of funk musicians, and hire an esteemed featured guest to do the vocals.
These vocalists range from Broadway stars like Darren Criss, to Vulfpeck alumni like Charles Jones and Antwaun Stanley. Swapping out bands per song is a time-honored tradition used by the likes of Steely Dan and allows each cover to sound unique.
Occasionally, they won’t feature a big guest vocalist, using in-house talent to cover the song of one artist in the style of another, like when they did a cover of MMMBop in the style of Vulfpeck.
The Best Scary Pocket Covers
A great video to start with is the video where they enlist TikTok sensation Lizzy McAlpine to cover the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive.”
Another is a complete re-invention of a song, the funk cover of Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” featuring Maiya Sykes. As someone who thinks Coldplay has all of the soul of a Target commercial, it says a lot that this one got me moving.
But their best video might just be the most maximalist video they have. In this video, they mash up the Etta James version of “I’d Rather Go Blind” with Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop” with not one but two guest vocalists, the acclaimed Maiya Sykes and the alt-rock titan Ben Folds.
-Christian Flynn
Photo: Jack Conte, 2014 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ninja-bear/ via Wikimedia Commons)
All are great musical covers that elevate to a whole new level with the added “video song” concept. I bet although unintentional, the “video song” concept was ideal for the COVID lockdown. Excellent article!
Wow, I never envisioned myself rocking along to a Hanson song. MMMBob in Vulpeck style is pretty awesome and Maiya Sykes voice and energy really work with in “Viva La Vida”. Good job man. I really enjoyed the article.
Very dynamic formula to create, dare I say, unique covers. Impressive that Jack Conte can do his thing with Scary Pockets while running Patreon.
Hi Christian. I was trying to comment last week and kept getting an error message. Anyhow, glad that I am able to post. As a content creator I utilize Patreon and I never knew Jack Conte had a band. I like what’s he’s done with Scary Pickets. Great music and videos!
Thanks so much Teresa. I’m glad you like it!
Cool remakes Jack Conte created with the assembly of a funk musicians and featured guest. I love the “I’d Rather Go Blind” remake.