Some of the most profound human dramas play out in the quietest rooms. Toronto's Casper Skulls, purveyors of finely-woven, guitar-driven narratives, have always excelled at mapping the emotional contours of these intimate spaces. Their latest video for "Petty at a Funeral," a standout track from their 2025 third album Kit-Cat, masterfully transforms a song about internal monologues into a stunning, surreal journey that speaks to universal human experiences.
The track encapsulates that unspoken tension hanging in funeral air, a complex cocktail of profound sorrow, quiet reverence, and sometimes the most mundane yet human emotion: pure, unadulterated pettiness. Casper Skulls bottle this feeling with remarkable precision.
"Petty at a Funeral" emerged from a real situation where lead vocalist Melanie St-Pierre attended a loved one's funeral that turned sour. The lyrics humorously capture these moments' absurdity: children demanding wills, guests present only for refreshments, and the painful oversight of forgetting the deceased's requested final song. It's observational wit paired with brutal emotional honesty.
Built on interlocking, jangly guitars creating a tense yet inviting soundscape, the track showcases the band's core strengths: melodic intuition, lyrical sharpness, and atmospheric depth. St-Pierre's vocal delivery, cool and observational, feels like secrets being confessed, a masterclass in turning personal discomfort into compelling art.
The official video, directed by St-Pierre with additional editing by Curtis Carriere at Goodscreen Media, elevates the song into new storytelling territory. Rather than literal funeral imagery, it presents a haunting psychological journey combining everyday joyful moments in parks, markets, and fairs before culminating in cemetery settings. We follow a couple through surreal scenes of happiness, inertia, and sadness while St-Pierre persistently questions, "But what's behind the walls?"
Despite featuring crowded public spaces, the video successfully conveys profound isolation and loss. Park scenes, fair moments, and outdoor market footage create universally recognizable experiences transcending cultural boundaries—achieving rare artistic success where specific material feels genuinely universal.
"The footage for 'Petty at a Funeral' was filmed in summer 2024 and represents adventure days that Neil and I sometimes have," St-Pierre explains. "We like planning jam-packed days starting at our favorite breakfast place, where we play 'flipping creamers,' attend local events and make spontaneous snack decisions. I wanted it to contrast what the song is about, showing a real version of what family outings can be for us."
This contrast between celebratory visuals and darker lyrical undercurrents creates compelling artistic tension. The video doesn't simply illustrate lyrics; it provides a counterpoint, suggesting how grief infiltrates even our happiest moments.
Kit-Cat has earned praise for its cohesion and emotional resonance, solidifying Casper Skulls' place as vital indie rock voices. "Petty at a Funeral" serves as a compelling invitation into both physical and emotional spaces that the band continues exploring with such nuance.
The video doesn't merely promote a song; it unlocks meaning layers while functioning as standalone art. It's smart, catchy, and deeply human—proof that powerful art often emerges from acknowledging rather than hiding our flaws. Casper Skulls have created something transforming awkward human moments into profound artistic statements, reminding us that even our pettiest thoughts deserve examination and, perhaps, forgiveness.
Casper Skulls' album Kit-Cat is out via You've Changed Records
