Keeley Forsyth is back with a new video for the third single ‘Wash’ from her forthcoming album Limbs, to be released via The Leaf Label on February 25th. The album is the follow up to her debut Debris which was released to critical acclaim in 2020. As well as a success with her music, Forsyth is a TV actor of some repute, having had roles in Happy Valley, Criminal Justice and Luther amongst many others.
Having already shared videos for singles ‘Bring Me Water’ and ‘I Stand Alone’, the video for ‘Wash’ again sees Forsyth team up with producers Ross Downes and Neil Cain. Speaking about the meaning behind the video’s visuals, she said:
“The video takes place in an absurdist purgatory, which exists with its own logic and where a confrontational high stakes game is playing out. This is directly in homage to the work of Irish playwright Samuel Beckett, where the protagonist is caught in a situation not fully understood or explainable.”
Check it out below.
On ‘Wash’, Forsyth collaborates with Grammy Award-winning percussionist Evelyn Glennie; an extraordinary performer who is almost completely deaf having lost over half of her hearing by the age of 12. Where ‘I Stand Alone’ – the closing track on Limbs – shows a quiet act of defiance at the end of the album’s journey, on ‘Wash’ there is a hesistancy that creeps in. Accompanied by an almost surreal and intense backing, her vocals engulf the track; her voice drawing strong stylistic comparisons to Scott Walker, Edith Piaff and Anthony. Forsyth shared further insights:
“Evelyn’s work with the serpent cymbal, produced a unique, mournful, metallic sigh that colours the whole track. With the vocal, I wanted to open my throat and swallow that emotion. The lyrics came with this process, instinctive and impulsive.”
Keeley Forsyth embarks on a short U.K tour in March, as well as playing this summer’s Green Man and Sea Change festivals. Dates are:
4 March – Glasgow Glad Café
5 March – Manchester Hallé St Michaels
6 March – Leeds Brudenell Social Club
10 March – Bristol Strange Brew
11 March – London The Barbican, Milton Court
Photo: Sophie J Stafford
