“I grew up on the peninsula so the bay has influenced me heavily as a song-writer. I started writing after my brother was killed in a car accident when I was 14. Every time I come back to the bay I feel my brother and my family. It’s sad because no one is there anymore. My mom died and my dad and sister both moved away. And my childhood home has been sold. A bit depressing but I still think of the bay as my home. So many beautiful memories growing up there.”
Zelma Stone
Today we’re honored to share the video premiere of Zelma Stone’s “Be Free,” the closing track for her latest EP A Dance. Dreadful as death yet light as reconciliation, the song embodies a conversation between the artist and two deceased loved ones—her brother Brett (who died in a car accident at age 19) and her friend Jenny (who died in the Ghost Ship warehouse fire at age 21)—questioning whether they are free or not in death.
The video gives color and motion to this question, in its first half portraying shadowy, darkly-draped dancers moving through crimson glowing sets and grasping at the claustrophobic artist. But in the white light sunlit second half, Zelma Stone talks to herself and accepts that her loved ones are indeed free, in turn freeing her from her grief.
Musically, the song (as well as the rest of the EP) follows this same pattern, applying a somber, sobering sound palette while remaining above total abandonment or depression. It is glistening indie rock that has touched deep pain and can speak about it with open eyes, but at the same time has grown, and chooses not to wallow in that pain. Dark music for open hearts blooming.
Check out the video, directed and choreographed by Hayden J Frederick with choreography assistance by Krystal Castillo.
