Music / Premieres
Video Premiere:
Demi Mitchell - Dancing In The Sand
Demi Mitchell - Dancing In The Sand
Off the back of the release of her debut album The Overflow, Newcastle alt-country songstress Demi Mitchell has offered up one more treat for us, in the form of a new clip for album highlight ‘Dancing In The Sand.'
It’s been a pretty big year so far for Demi Mitchell. Following a few years rolling around the Newcastle music scene, she only dropped her debut single in April and since then it’s been nothing but up. With a few more tracks behind her, she released her debut album The Overflow in late July, a stunning collection of brooding indie-folk mixed with classic rock ’n’ roll and tasty Americana, and quickly amassed a bunch of radio play around the place and a stack of acclaim. However, not one to rest on her laurels, she’s back today with a brand new clip for ‘Dancing In The Sand’.
Built around a lazy guitar jangle that dances over a steady groove, ‘Dancing In The Sand’ opens like a classic rock song but quickly morphs into something else entirely. A masterclass in contradiction, it’s a track that feels lighthearted and playful yet constantly teeters on the edge of darkness, with its bright sound constantly interrupted by melancholy strings and sharp pulses of vulnerability. Simultaneously, as Demi spins lines about “dancing in the sand” or listening to “Dire Straits in your little shack”, her intoxicatingly soulful voice seems to betray her joyful lyrics, dripping with emotion and nostalgia. In the same way, the new clip manages to perfectly recreate this effect. Shot in black and white, we watch Demi walk casually through a natural landscape, but it’s almost impossible to read her expression. And by the time the song reaches its final strums and Demi walks out of view, it’s hard to tell whether we’re relaxed or heartbroken, but it’s an intrigue that keeps up coming back.
It’s a really exciting time to be following what Demi is up to, so we got in touch to have a chat about the new clip and what’s on next.
Built around a lazy guitar jangle that dances over a steady groove, ‘Dancing In The Sand’ opens like a classic rock song but quickly morphs into something else entirely. A masterclass in contradiction, it’s a track that feels lighthearted and playful yet constantly teeters on the edge of darkness, with its bright sound constantly interrupted by melancholy strings and sharp pulses of vulnerability. Simultaneously, as Demi spins lines about “dancing in the sand” or listening to “Dire Straits in your little shack”, her intoxicatingly soulful voice seems to betray her joyful lyrics, dripping with emotion and nostalgia. In the same way, the new clip manages to perfectly recreate this effect. Shot in black and white, we watch Demi walk casually through a natural landscape, but it’s almost impossible to read her expression. And by the time the song reaches its final strums and Demi walks out of view, it’s hard to tell whether we’re relaxed or heartbroken, but it’s an intrigue that keeps up coming back.
It’s a really exciting time to be following what Demi is up to, so we got in touch to have a chat about the new clip and what’s on next.
TJ: Hey Demi, last time we caught up you’d just released ‘Man Of My Mind’. What have you been up to?
DM: Hey Trouble Juice! So good to be chatting again. Following ‘Man Of My Mind’ I released the third single ‘Fiction From Fact’ and then the album The Overflow which has been an exciting time full of nerves, relief and elation. I launched the record live in Sydney and then in my hometown of Newcastle, and have been playing shows along the east coast. It’s been really nice hearing feedback from people all over the world - I’m just really happy it’s finally out there. 2018 has been a ripping year for new music, especially in Newcastle, I’ve been loving hearing new music from local pals since we last spoke!
You’re back today with a brand new clip for ‘Dancing In The Sand’. Can you tell us a bit about the track?
‘Dancing In The Sand’ is one of the more light-hearted tracks on the record. I wrote it a few years ago during a time where I felt I was getting too caught up in negativity, it was a message to myself to not take everything too seriously. To savour pleasurable moments and take moments to do what feels good because life is short. A friend told me it reminds them of summer nights in Newcastle - balmy evenings going for nightswims and getting up to no good with the people you love.
The new video keeps things pretty simple but seems to accompany the music pretty perfect - how did the clip come about?
The clip came about after a spontaneous meet-up with a friend that was passing through town. We shot some scenes around my house and then decided to take a long drive until we found a spot to shoot as the sun set. It wasn’t my first instinct for the clip to go with this song, but then I grew to really like the contrast between a cold dark wintery scene and the warm summer vibes of the track. It’s like those moments when you’re reminiscing on memories of the summer before but you’re still stuck in the depths of winter, freezing your arse off. I also enjoy that the simplicity of the clip gives the viewer room to make their own interpretations and be taken into a space that’s personal to them, rather than being told exactly what the song is about.
Your debut album The Overflow came out at the end of July - how’s it been received? It’s been really humbling and reassuring for The Overflow to be received so warmly. It’s had national airplay in Australia and has received attention overseas with a review in this month’s German edition of Rolling Stone and others outlets such as French-Canadian Le Devoir and more. I love getting messages from strangers around the world that say they found the record and are liking it, it’s really beautiful to make those connections. Support from friends and family has been really special to me too, having people that encourage and inspire you is more important than anything else.
Where is Demi Mitchell looking to go next?
Early 2019 will see a string of national shows and the release of more music! Then back to writing writing writing new songs and do it all again.
<3
DM: Hey Trouble Juice! So good to be chatting again. Following ‘Man Of My Mind’ I released the third single ‘Fiction From Fact’ and then the album The Overflow which has been an exciting time full of nerves, relief and elation. I launched the record live in Sydney and then in my hometown of Newcastle, and have been playing shows along the east coast. It’s been really nice hearing feedback from people all over the world - I’m just really happy it’s finally out there. 2018 has been a ripping year for new music, especially in Newcastle, I’ve been loving hearing new music from local pals since we last spoke!
You’re back today with a brand new clip for ‘Dancing In The Sand’. Can you tell us a bit about the track?
‘Dancing In The Sand’ is one of the more light-hearted tracks on the record. I wrote it a few years ago during a time where I felt I was getting too caught up in negativity, it was a message to myself to not take everything too seriously. To savour pleasurable moments and take moments to do what feels good because life is short. A friend told me it reminds them of summer nights in Newcastle - balmy evenings going for nightswims and getting up to no good with the people you love.
The new video keeps things pretty simple but seems to accompany the music pretty perfect - how did the clip come about?
The clip came about after a spontaneous meet-up with a friend that was passing through town. We shot some scenes around my house and then decided to take a long drive until we found a spot to shoot as the sun set. It wasn’t my first instinct for the clip to go with this song, but then I grew to really like the contrast between a cold dark wintery scene and the warm summer vibes of the track. It’s like those moments when you’re reminiscing on memories of the summer before but you’re still stuck in the depths of winter, freezing your arse off. I also enjoy that the simplicity of the clip gives the viewer room to make their own interpretations and be taken into a space that’s personal to them, rather than being told exactly what the song is about.
Your debut album The Overflow came out at the end of July - how’s it been received? It’s been really humbling and reassuring for The Overflow to be received so warmly. It’s had national airplay in Australia and has received attention overseas with a review in this month’s German edition of Rolling Stone and others outlets such as French-Canadian Le Devoir and more. I love getting messages from strangers around the world that say they found the record and are liking it, it’s really beautiful to make those connections. Support from friends and family has been really special to me too, having people that encourage and inspire you is more important than anything else.
Where is Demi Mitchell looking to go next?
Early 2019 will see a string of national shows and the release of more music! Then back to writing writing writing new songs and do it all again.
<3
Check out the new clip for 'Dancing In The Sand’ above, and head to Demi's website to listen to her debut album The Overflow.
