Vera Ellen releases new single ‘Thaw’
Aotearoa Music Award and Taite Prize-winning artist Vera Ellen releases her new single Thaw, taken from her upcoming album Heaven Knows What Time, out May 1st via Flying Nun Records.
The single follows the recently released joyous anthem Gayfever and the sophisti-pop Hemi Hemingway duet When It’s Over, also taken from Heaven Knows What Time.
Says Vera Ellen of the new track:
“The inspiration for Thaw came when I hit writer’s block during a songwriting residency and decided a change was needed. I went to a local barber and, although he was about to close, he cut my hair and blasted Alice Cooper. We talked a lot about guitars and rock and on the walk home I got myself some whiskey. All I wanted was to write a “sick riff” – I sat down and out came Thaw.”
The track marked a shift in the writing process, shedding expectation in favour of instinct and feeling. Thaw explores infatuation from a place of self-assurance, and features vocals from bandmate Ben Lemi.
The video for Thaw is another special collaboration with Daniel Fletcher – sitting somewhere between a music video and a short film. It was shaped through many conversations about identity, love, dating, and generational patterns. Surreal and considered, it’s the kind of piece you can watch multiple times and discover something new with each viewing. Shot in Auckland with the help of many hands, the video was made with support from NZ On Air Music.
Photo Credit: Nicola Sandford
