The Artist Explains: Sasha Siem - Holey, Wholly, Holy
Anglo-Norwegian singer-songwriter and composer Sasha Siem talks us through the creative process behind her intimate visuals for her transformative alternative single ‘Holey Wholly Holy’ - a song that celebrates life and restoration no matter how broken and haunted our pasts may be.
’Holey Wholly Holy’ is taken from Sasha Siem’s third album ‘Holy’ due 26th April 2019 via via Tiferet Records.
Sasha Siem Explains:
Where was the video for 'Holey Wholly Holy' filmed?
Bulgaria. I arrived in Sofia with the snow a day after filming a live-version of the same song song in sun-filled Jerusalem. I didn’t have time to do much sight-seeing but the airport duty free is fascinating: you can bulk buy cigarettes and rose water.
How does the video connect with the song?
The video is a raw glimpse into a relationship between a couple whose connection is longed for but damaged. Their love is Holey-Wholly-Holy. There is a rupture to the union that must have been there between them at some point. Perhaps they’ll make their way back to that union as they become whole inside. I wanted to show that no matter how messed up and broken things become, we can always find our way back to wholeness. There is always a part of us - and everyone we meet - that is holy, sacred, unbreakable.
Do you have any behind the scenes stories you could share with us?
There nearly weren't any behind the scenes because I barely made it into Bulgaria. Massive delays meant that I installed into my hotel room at 4am for an 8am start. Meetings with the director and stylist scheduled for the day before obviously didn't happen.... And yet the team managed to magic it all into this video which I am so grateful for :-)! (?!)
Could you tell us about the ideas/ themes/ imagery used?
Dark, Naked, Bold, Dirty. God is in it all.
Is there a message the video is trying to convey?
No matter how dark we may feel - no matter what we’ve been through - there is a part of us that always has been and always will be whole. There is a sacredness - a holiness even - to that life force within us. And that sacredness transcends everything.
Interview feature by Karla Harris