Morning Star is the latest album from Asheville singer-songwriter and folk artist Julia Sanders. Much of it autobiographical, Sanders explores the complexities of transitions: from woman to mother, partners to parents, and freewheelin’ musician to an adult with roots and responsibilities. The wistful ballad ‘Three Leaf Clover’ is among its many striking songs, the video for which is premiered below.
“Three Leaf Clover” tackles the ever-growing internal conflict and confidence we face in a social media age where curated lives distance us from the truth – that we are all unique individuals.
Sanders’ shared the following on the video and song:
“The concept of this video really came from a lot of other failed ideas. Originally, we were going to shoot at a waterfall, but heavy rains made the water look more like a mud puddle than a magical swimming hole. Then we tried shooting in a field of sunflowers, only to get there after they’d all started to die. It’s really kind of perfect that we had such bad luck trying to shoot a video for a song called ‘Three Leaf Clover.’ In the end, I’m glad none of those ideas worked out because the more mundane setting of the laundromat fits the song so much better than anything we might have shot just because it looked pretty.
“‘Three Leaf Clover’ is about that combination of self criticism and self doubt that keeps us from listening to our own creative voice—and also the way we can’t help constantly comparing ourselves to others. I think imposter syndrome has always been a thing, but now with social media we have a constant feed of these very curated versions of peoples’ lives, and even though we know it’s not real it’s hard not to hold your life up to that. So I’m glad the video ended up being a very simple shoot in a laundromat because those are the type of moments where you’re scrolling your phone and think, “Wow, this person is looking glamorous on an international tour while I’m looking for my missing sock.” Then of course all you have to do is call one of your friends and realize they’re spiraling about the same things you are.”
Produced by John James Tourville of The Deslondes, “Three Leaf Clover” is a song that keeps drawing you back. There’s that beautiful balance between burden and hope, reminiscent of The Band’s ‘The Weight’; the beautiful harmonies, courtesy of Sanders’ friend and fellow Americana artist Erika Lewis is a great touch.
Joe Gill and Zack Rothwell did a brilliant job on the video, the playfulness of which taps into that overriding good feel projected by Sanders.
Find out more via – juliasandersmusic.com
Order Morning Star via Bandcamp