86TVs on John McEnroe starring in “rage video” for new single ‘Komorebi’: “He was screaming in my face!”

nme.com:

86TVs have spoken to NME about working with US tennis legend John McEnroe – who stars as the band’s rage-filled therapist in the video for their latest single, ‘Komorebi’.

Watch the visuals below, and read our interview with guitarist/singer Felix White.The song marks a stylistic shift for the group – which is completed by White’s brothers and former Maccabees bandmates, Hugo White and Will White, alongside drummer Jamie Morrison (Noisettes and Stereophonics).Following on from ‘Tambourine’ and ‘Someone Else’s Dream’, 86TV’s latest offering finds them in a calmer, more reflective mood. ‘Komorebi’, however, reaches grander heights akin to The National and Arcade Fire.Speaking to NME, White explained that the single showcased an “introspective and melancholic” side of the band’s self-titled debut album (out August 2).“When we started getting closer to actually playing and singing together, it felt like the most natural, instinctive thing was to make outreaching, positive, and high-dynamic guitar music,” he said, adding that their new song sees the group move somewhat out of their “comfort zone”.“It’s coming out slightly under the cover of a John McEnroe rage video, but it kind of felt like a nice way to introduce that side of the band,” White told NME, recalling how his “left-field friendship” with the sports star and pundit began when he wrote the score for the McEnroe documentary (2022).“I was actually really nervous to meet John before I did the film with him because he’s got this history of being mates with Keith Richards or going on stage with Pearl Jam,” White remembered. “If The Eagles were in town, they’d asked him to go and play [with them].