NADINE KHOURI is pleased to present an animated video for her new single: “Song Of A Caged Bird”.
Originally penned as a lament on surveillance capitalism, “Song of a Caged Bird” took on new meaning for Khouri during the pandemic when the world outside fell away, replaced by a miasma of ceaseless 1s and 0s. Reflecting on making the single, Nadine says:
“We were getting ready to go into the studio to record it and the whole world went into lockdown… Of course, the lyrics spooked me out then and the song took on a whole other meaning for me when I was between four walls for months. Ironically, the social media I was bemoaning had, quite literally, become my only way of connecting with anyone in the outside world.”
The new single is accompanied by a beautiful hand-drawn animation by Marseille-based illustrator Aude Nasr, which is revealed today (9 June) and premiered by Under The Radar. Speaking about the video Nadine says:
“I love Aude (Nasr)’s work and find her characters really relatable. Her illustrations are beautiful and thoughtful, often giving voice to others. By chance, I saw that we were both living in Marseille, so we met and found a lot of common ground between us. The collaboration came about in a really organic and inspiring way. It was a joy to collaborate on this with her.”
Currently based between London and Marseille, Nadine Khouri is influenced by dream-pop, film soundtracks and poetry with a sound that has been described as “music born of perennial outsider-status”. Discovered by legendary producer John Parish (PJ Harvey) thanks to her singular voice, Khouri was invited to sing on his track “Baby’s Coming” and subsequently recorded her debut album with the producer in his hometown of Bristol.
Self-released in 2017, ‘The Salted Air’ cemented Khouri’s one-to-watch status. Hailed by Mojo as “a thing of dark possessed beauty” in a four-star review, the record was also celebrated by Q Magazine’s Critics Choice and selected as one of Rough Trade’s Albums of the Year.
Her latest album ‘Another Life’ landed at the end of last year, released on French label Talitres. Extending her collaborative partnership with Parish, the pair recorded the LP together between London and Paris. Pulling from echoes of blues, soul and ‘70s Laurel Canyon folk set to sparse drum machines, the record found Khouri taking on new sonic depths. With her warm, inviting alto at the forefront of each song, ‘Another Life’ saw the artist uncertain of her place in the world but making music that has never felt more assured or precise. The album’s black and white cover art was also shot by acclaimed music photographer Steve Gullick (Nirvana, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy) in Marseille.
Attracting acclaim from the likes of Pitchfork, Clash, Under The Radar, The Line of Best Fit, Brooklyn Vegan and more, Paste Magazine praised Khouri’s “gorgeously deep and velvet-lined voice” dubbing the record as “an album for breathing”. In an 8/10 star review, UNCUT also commended ‘Another Life’ as “nine songs whose natural grace and restraint doesn’t preclude intimacy. Khouri has a terrific voice, its hushed, bluesy tones recalling Cat Power.”
Khouri’s latest single “Song Of A Caged Bird” also arrives as the artist carves out a short UK tour this Summer, with upcoming dates in Sheffield, Corsham and London in the coming days. Find full dates and details below. Jack Cheshire has also just been added as chief support for the London date.
NADINE KHOURI UK TOUR 2023
JUNE
10 CORSHAM Pound Arts
14 LONDON Paper Dress Vintage
(w/ support from Jack Cheshire)
-Official bio
Watch our latest “Short Cuts” video podcast to discover more new indie tracks.
