One of Australia's emerging folk voices, Naomi Keyte is a songwriter-musician who captures the soul with her poignant, earnest compositions that evoke a fragile beauty.
In the process of releasing her sophomore album 'Milk Paper Gold', which drops 31 October (and is the follow-up to her 2017 debut record 'Melaleuca'), Keyte's songwriting continues to explore themes centred around connections: to self, to others, to personal narratives.Naomi's latest single that will feature on the new album, 'Emmylou' is a delightfully drawn-out folk sojourn that meanders with an intimacy that caresses and soothes with a country twang which resonates deeply.
With a brushy drum snare joined by nonchalant guitar strumming and rooted to a catchy piano riff, 'Emmylou' is a stunning, graceful ode to the legendary folk songwriter Emmylou Harris, which marinates the senses with lyrics detailing the allure of contrasts that often attract opposites.
"I wrote this song sitting on my bed (as I often do)," shares Naomi. "The chord progression and fun chromatic turnaround came first. The lyrics just tumbled out of me, as songs tend to do when they are expressing honest emotions."
Released last month, today scenestr is thrilled to premiere the 'Emmylou' music video. Enjoy.
"This song was inspired by dating an introvert and relaxing into just how different people are," adds Naomi. "There's something in the adage opposites attract.
"We have a way of seeking to establish balance in our relationships, romantic and otherwise. The song references Emmylou Harris as she is the ultimate femme folk singer inspiration."
The music video, which was filmed in two parts – the Barossa region and at Little Hill in Basket Range – leans into the song's lyrics. "These lyrics have a bit of cheek to them, and we wanted to mirror that in the clip," Keyte says.
"Making the strawberry milk bath was super fun. We used 12 litres of milk and some red food colouring. My dress smelled a bit sour afterwards but my skin felt great! Making the cake on set was also really fun to do! I love cream cheese icing and am super happy with how it looks in the video."
Filmed and produced by George Graetz with help from Rosina, Tom, Dre and Vivia, Naomi was intent on honouring the song with an equally beautiful creative video treatment.
"We wanted to make something really beautiful and interesting. Just as the song explores polarities, the two locations are in contrast to one another. The expansiveness of the trailer shot is balanced by the intimacy of the cottage shots.
"I love collaborating with visual artists and making and filming the cyanotypes was particularly fun. The process is quite magical and blue is so beautiful."
Naomi Keyte 2024-2025 Tour Dates
Thu 24 Oct - Wheatsheaf Hotel (Adelaide)Sun 9 Feb - Goodwood Theatre (Adelaide)* 'Milk Paper Gold' album launch
