Scary Pockets have a knack for creating viral clips. Two core bandmates – Jack Conte and Ryan Lerman – are joined by a rotating line-up of world-class musicians, creating some of the wildest and most authentic funk covers making the rounds on YouTube today.
When the Brooklyn-based singer and Voice semi-finalist, India Carney, joined the band for a one-off cover entitled, “If James Brown wrote Creep by Radiohead,” Scary Pockets hit the jackpot once again, their clip going viral with over 9.6 million views to date!
It’s not hard to tell why this cover is racking up views in the multi-millions. Just like their innumerable other viral covers, Scary Pockets completely reinvent Radiohead’s hit, transferring its iconic elements to an upbeat funk setting that’s wildly different from the original. It’s like a masterclass in musical authenticity, the band making the 1992 single sound fresh, modern, and completely their own.
Radiohead’s original was a rock ballad, powerfully melancholic, moving and bittersweet enough to land it at #7 on the UK singles charts. But this Scary Pockets rendition rips the song from its roots, brightening its moody chords with their fresh, funk beats while inviting a brand new, uplifting energy into Radiohead’s debut hit.
India Carney’s deep and luscious voice carries the melody pristinely. She interprets the lyrics with a novel perspective, removing the inner battle taking center stage in the original, and recrafting its lines and themes to reflect inner strength, hopes, and goals instead.
Dancing around Radiohead’s original melodies, accentuating them with soulful R&B twists and ad-libs that radiate golden joy and confidence, India’s unexpected vocals are addictive to sink into, especially once you realize how perfectly she balances her own originality with faultless homage to Radiohead’s original.
India first broke into the limelight back in 2015 when she entered The Voice USA’s eighth season, making it all the way through to the semi-finals. Music Man readers can check out her viral blind audition in the video above – an astounding cover of “New York State Of Mind” that’s evocative of a Whitney Houston performance!
Despite missing out on The Voice crown, India’s music career only blossomed. She’s since joined Katy Perry on tour and has sung for some chart-topping artists including Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber, and Mariah Carey, even performing live at the VMAs and Grammy Awards. As well as working as a vocal coach across various TV talent shows, India has also been busy releasing her own music, currently boasting over 159,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
Scary Pockets continue to push the boundaries of musical creativity with their infectious funk covers. Their collaboration with India Carney brilliantly showcases their talent for reimagining classics. To explore more of their innovative music and discover what else they have in store, check out the useful links below.