- Culture
- 09 Dec 21
Acclaimed Kildare alt-folk artist Sive's vulnerable new single has now been given the screen treatment by Ciarán O'Brien.
Naas native Sive has shared the atmospheric visuals for her latest single 'Winter', starring Caitríona Williams and premiered below by Hot Press.
A gorgeous follow on from well-received debut single ‘Think Before I Speak’, 'Winter' takes inspiration from the cyclical quality of the natural world.
Since it's release, the track has been loved on Irish radio stations, including running for two weeks straight on RTE Recommends Playlist, as well as being supported on BBC Radio Ulster, Clare FM, KCLR FM, Journal of Music and Hot Press. The rising singer-songwriter was even invited on as a guest to Panti Bliss' latest podcast episode, which is quite the honour.
Her new track 'Winter' is about struggling to accept impermanence and learning the value in what darkness has to teach you. The video tells a story of turning to face your dark side, embrace it and welcome it into your life.
Filmed and edited by Ciarán O’Brien, the visuals see Caitríona Williams walking through a forest while Sive's haunting vocals and delicately woven musicality bring the video to life beautifully. Williams comes face to face with an identical version of herself, who is wearing different clothes to symbolise a certain edge.
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The Kildare singer-songwriter Sive has carved a truly compelling style of alt-folk with undeniably charm. 'Winter' is no exception, making fine use of multi-layered harmonies and introspective, diaristic lyricism. The cut is taken from the compelling musician's forthcoming album, due to be released on VETA Records next year.
The ethereal 'Winter' heralds seasonal change - making sure to keep Sive’s pure vocal at the forefront. Her voice carries lilting melodies over a cinematic bed of piano, guitar, drums with a strong soundscape.
"You can't give me what I want/'cause we are fading like the winter/but it's only when it fades that I can see/what's underneath," she croons, delicately. The transience of relationships is all too clear, using a dynamic vocal prowess similar to that of Lisa Hannigan and Bjork.
Ultimately, it is a declaration of the preciousness of life, a look at how it is often in the vulnerable depths of winter that we can see more clearly and learn to trust that the light will come again.
Following a successful crowd funding campaign, Sive released the album The Roaring Girl to critical acclaim back in 2017. She followed this up with live shows across Europe and New Zealand, sharing stages with the likes of Lisa Hannigan, Kila, Mick Flannery, Cathy Davey and Gemma Hayes along the way.
In mid 2018, Sive began working with Veta Records, home to fellow alternative artists Maria Kelly and HAVVK. She later recorded a series of songs in their studio space in Berlin that summer and dropped her self-titled EP in May 2019. She's truly a standout talent, stay tuned for Sive's debut album in 2022. We can't wait.
Check out the video for 'Winter' below: