Cheshire (song)

The song originated from a demo Vane recorded in 2017, inspired by a recurring dream of a grinning cat. Ashford expanded the riff, and the band recorded it at Sound City Studios in Los Angeles with producer Greg Kurstin. The track is in the key of E minor with a tempo of 120 BPM, featuring a prominent fuzz bassline and layered vocal harmonies. Lyrically, it explores themes of identity and illusion, drawing parallels between the Cheshire Cat’s disappearing act and the fleeting nature of fame.

“Cheshire” was released digitally on March 15, 2019, and on vinyl as a limited 7-inch single. Critics praised its hook and Vane’s vocal delivery, with NME calling it “a snarling, psychedelic triumph.” The song received airplay on college radio and was featured in the soundtrack of the video game Neon Drift. It was nominated for Best Rock Song at the 2020 Independent Music Awards.

The music video, directed by Juno Reyes, features the band performing in a surreal, monochrome landscape with animated Cheshire Cat imagery. It premiered on Pitchfork and has amassed over 10 million views on YouTube. The band performed the song on Late Night with Seth Meyers and at the 2019 Lollapalooza festival. A live acoustic version was released as a B-side on the single.

An early demo titled “Grin” circulated among fans, featuring different lyrics and a slower tempo. The song’s bridge contains a hidden backward message that spells “all that glitters is not gold.” The cover art, painted by Eliza Thorn, depicts a cat with a clock for an eye, a nod to the band’s earlier single “Timekeeper.” The song was also used in a 2020 episode of the TV series Riverdale.

Cheshire Cat

A fictional cat from Lewis Carroll's novel, known for its mischievous grin and ability to disappear.

Alternative rock

A genre of rock music that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s.