VIDEO PREMIERE: Secret Emchy Society Take the "Night Off"

"Night Off,” from Secret Emchy Society’s Queen of Assholes, is a slow, tender ballad about giving yourself permission to take a break from the world. Written by Cindy Emch and Mya Byrne, with music by Emch, it finds beauty in the small stuff: getting stoned, watching Merle Haggard on Hee Haw, and letting your brain finally shut the hell up.

Beneath the dry humor, there’s a deeply human ache: the exhaustion of always being available, the late-night spirals, the fear of stepping away even when you desperately need to. Emch offers no grand solution, just a gentle reminder that you can take the night off—and the people who love you will still be there when you come home.

The track showcases the remarkable musical family surrounding Emch. Byrne, an acclaimed Americana songwriter and formidable guitarist, brings warmth and restraint to the lead guitar. Andrew Waegel’s pedal steel adds a beautiful, lingering ache, while the backing vocals of Terri Upton, Carolyn Mark, and Jacob Aranda wrap around the song with the ease of people who have spent years making music together. It’s a masterclass in leaving room for a song to breathe, with every player serving the feeling rather than showing off.

From the album Queen of Assholes, “Night Off” is a quiet standout that feels like a late-night conversation with a friend who understands. For anyone who has ever worried themselves awake, stared too long at a glowing screen, or felt guilty for needing some space, consider this your permission slip.

The video captures that feeling with a mellow cascade of black and white animations: watching the stars and birds glide by as the clock ticks down and the blunt burns down. The punk-ish bent to the illustrations encapsulates Secret Emchy's Society secret sauce of warmth and anarchy.

So put the phone down. Put some tunes on. Let your people love you.

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