On 24th March, Scottish alt-folk artist, Jodie Elizabeth King, releases her first EP, Flesh and Bone, on Scottish indie label Stitch Records.
Hailing from Leven in Fife, Jodie’s debut EP showcases the raw honesty of her songwriting and her love of a folk aesthetic laced with experimental textures. Lyrically, the lead single and title track present the complexity of meaningful relationships and the often fragile nature of mental health. She sings:
God knows I want to
But I cannot steal you away
I cannot ask you to stay beside me
For they had my mind
And I was nothing
But flesh and bone
Jodie suggests that although she draws influence from a wide range of music, her primary influences are a lot closer to home. She comments that:
“I find the whole history of Scottish songwriting and the indie scene incredibly inspiring, most of my favourite records are from bands like Frightened Rabbit/Owl John, Mersault, and Randolph’s Leap… and a whole host of others! We’re so lucky to have such a wealth of culture we can call our own here.”
Of the video, artist and film-maker Liam J McLaughlin comments:
“The idea behind the Flesh and Bone video for Jodie Elizabeth King was to make an art film in response to her music. I wasn’t interested in trying to interpret the original intention of the lyrics and make a visual representation of that. I used the song, in its entirety, as a jumping off point for creating a new artwork. The end result was, in my view, a collaborative piece about loss, place and notions of otherness…. this being said, I feel the work remains open enough to allow new interpretations.”
The sparse arrangements of this lead track accentuate her plaintive singing, which takes this song to another level entirely, something that is captured perfectly in McLaughlin’s accompanying black and white video. This is a richly rewarding debut that deserves to be heard.
Stream the single here: https://jodieelizabethking.ffm.to/fleshandbone
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodieelizabethking/