Tall Folk - Dani: Music Video PREMIERE
Lara is from a long line of long legs. Jack is an extension of generations of long necks. Together, with their long limbs and swirling harmonies, they are Tall Folk. The Ōtepoti-based folk duo complement each other well, with Jack bringing mid-western twang from his home turf of the USA, while Lara’s time embedded in the Dunedin folk scene softens this sound with warm, raspy vocals and a local point of view.
Their sound, in their own words, is “lyrically driven and harmonically givin’” - a sentiment we can absolutely echo. Their beautifully crafted stories within each song and the melodic execution, especially with those alluring harmonies we’ve mentioned so many times, are what make Tall Folk so lovely to listen to. Their debut album “Wiser”, produced by Tom Bell and mastered by David Glasser, was released in January this year. A number of talented instrumentalists including Craig Monk and John Egenes jumped aboard the project, adding key sounds such as the pedal steel, violin/fiddle, double bass, and drums. The album was met with high praise and Bandcamp included it in its "Best Country Music on Bandcamp: January 2022" list - what a well deserved honour!
Dani is the second song on the album and is a “stay away from my man” kind of track, as Lara puts it. The narrator expresses her anxiety over Dani, a woman who won’t leave her man (her previous partner) to her. It’s a push and pull over how to navigate the situation, with sadness and frustration, and moments of empathy toward Dani, heard in the lines “Oh I know you must be lonely, I know it's hard to let go of all that you've known.” The pedal steel and violin parts surge in and out, seemingly conversing as if to discuss the tension presented by the lyrics.
The video for Dani is the first to be released in a series of visuals for the album. Under the direction of their friends Stephen Hillman and Adam Binns of Treehouse Productions, they embarked on a filming odyssey making the most of the natural beauty of Ōtepoti and the surrounding areas. For Dani, they filmed on Kamau Taurua/Quarantine Island, a Department of Conversation reserve located in the middle of the Otago Peninsula with significant Māori and Pakeha history. The lush scenery and antiquated charm go hand-in-hand with the vibe and sound of the song, creating a beautiful atmosphere and listening/watching experience.
Watch the video for Dani by Tall Folk below:
Spotify: Tall Folk
Instagram: @tall_folk_music