The much-loved Yorkshire folk duo Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow release their new album Cloudheads on 21st April (via NoMasters – Pre-Order here) which delves into the mindscapes, passions and inner worlds of two highly individual autistic women. We have the pleasure of sharing the accompanying video for their new single and title track which is released this week on 31st March.
The video and the song are so powerful and moving, and I’m sure that the lyrics will touch the hearts of many. I’ve watched an audience moved to tears by the lyrical depths this duo are capable of plunging and for me, Cloudheads may well be an all-time favourite. The video captures the essence of the song so well, the awkwardness, the hopes, the togetherness and the love. I’ve not seen a video that conveys social anxieties such as these so well, this can be so overwhelming for so many and the tension that builds in the music really captures the weight of those situations when a storm can be raging within. Featuring a number of their friends, it’s totally amazing, but do keep the tissues nearby.
Cloudheads is a particularly personal song relating to Heidi and Belinda’s recent diagnoses of autism and their individual struggles with ‘life outside the door’. The video, which was filmed at Culture Café in Slawit, close to where the duo live, features friends of theirs re-enacting social situations that both Belinda and Heidi can find stressful; such as deciphering non-verbal communication, speaking in groups and the feeling of being overstimulated and overwhelmed.
The song was recorded at Peel House Barn, Luddenden near Halifax with the grand piano that used to belong to Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart when they were writing and recording songs as Eurythmics. Belinda told us ’The piano has such a strikingly individual tone, so bright and beautiful and it really works with our music. When I played it, it felt like the spirit of an early Annie Lennox enveloped us both and contributed to the creative process. We also found the barn floor made a deeply resonant sound when you stomped on it in a pair of walking boots, so that’s how the rhythm of the song was created.’ Other musicians contributing to the song include Magic Numbers member and friend Michele Stodart on bass, and Anna Esslemont from the Gentleman Jack theme wrote and played the string parts with Miriam Skinner from the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra on cello.
A new discovery to the duo is the formidable talent of Cumbrian clarinettist Jack McNeill (first introduced to readers here as part of a duo with Charlie Heys – interviewed here). Heidi adds ‘We played a gig with Jack many years ago and always wanted to collaborate on something with him. After listening to his work on Rowan Rheingans’ ‘Dispatches on the Red Dress,’ we were reminded of him and asked him to play on our album. We were completely entranced by the otherworldly clarinet sounds and atmospheres he creates using pedals and effects adding so much to our songs.’
The duo would like to extend their gratitude to the stars of the video: Amy Lee, Rebecca Winwood and Leanne Rowley; all members of the infamous ’Slawit Mum Gang.’ of which Heidi and Belinda are a part of too.
O’Hooley & Tidow are on tour this Spring (see dates below).
Cloudheads is released on 21st April on No Masters. Pre-Order here: https://nomasters.lnk.to/Cloudheads
O’Hooley & Tidow Spring Tour
APRIL
01 HALIFAXMinster SOLD OUT
21 LIVERPOOL Philharmonic
22 MANCHESTER Hallé St Peter’s
MAY
06 BRISTOL St George’s
11 LONDON Cecil Sharp House
12 SOUTHAMPTON Turner Sims
26 SHEFFIELD Upper Chapel
28 SUNDERLAND 17Nineteen
JUNE
11 MATLOCK Femme Festival
JULY
15 LEEDS Get Off Yer Arse Festival
All tickets available at ohooleyandtidow.com