PHOTO CREDIT: Ezra Simons
Erny Belle has shared another insight into her cinematic universe, this time with a video for fan favourite, 'Island Time' - from her debut album, Venus Is Home. The video, directed and produced by the artist herself — and made with the support of NZ on Air — was shot by prolific film-maker Ezra Simons, and showcases some of his signature photography eccentricities on a warm bed of analogue film stock.
Of the song, Erny Belle has said, "'Island Time' is an ode to the Pacific. I picture myself and the times I spent looking out at the view from Te Arai beach, from the waters edge and my sister's porch. I spent a lot of time contemplating my creative visions and the loss and prospects of love on the horizon. The chorus is a mantra on perseverance and self belief".
"Though there's a lot behind the love story, I think really it's a love song to pacific culture and beautiful brown people, maybe I needed to give myself that back".
"My good friend Navakatoa plays The Man From The Islands. He is also the bassist for the Erny Belle band, It's special that we've been able to capture ourselves at this time, I think it's really sweet we'll be able to look back at it in years to come and be reminded of everything we were doing musically at this time. It was shot at Te Arai, which is a special place to me." - Erny Belle
Produced & Directed by • Erny Belle
Director Of Photography • Ezra Simons
Additional Direction • Matt Hunter & Ezra Simons
1ST AD • Matt Hunter
1ST AC & Lighting • David Argue
Edit & Grade • Ezra Simons
Costume & Make up • Erny Belle
Starring • Navakatoa Tekela-Pule as 'Man from the Island'
'Island Time' From the Album 'Venus Is Home' By Erny Belle
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PHOTO CREDIT: Ezra Simons
“We’re calling it here and now — this is an artist to
keep your eye on”. — Matthew Crawley, Viva
“These are songs that are traditional in the best sense, but the quirks are
what tip them over from ‘very good’ to ‘great’. — Tony Stamp, RNZ
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Venus Is Home captures a sound shaped by the landscape, with references that are distinct to Aotearoa. The album ends with the title track ‘Venus Is Home’, where Belle is re-centered and grounded by words of wisdom, a “glass of lukewarm cask wine”, and “a feed of watercress”, with her grandmother Venus. The arc of the album gravitates towards her connection to home.
Her first sold out album release show with a full band, proved Erny Belle’s assertion as a performer. Waltzing through the audience to sing her finale, singing bowl in hand, face veiled in black lace; channeling a performance that feels like an earnest surrender to her audience. Rarely performing since, Belle has opened for Andy Shauf and Orville Peck for their international tours, and has been hand-picked for the 2023 incarnation of St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, taking place at the end of this month.
