At just 24 and with numerous ARIA and APRA accolades under her belt, Tori Forsyth is back a year after releasing her debut album with her blistering new single and video, ‘Be Here’.
Based on her own experiences of dealing with a partner’s addiction, ‘Be Here’ is real, raw and honest in the vein of the best confessional rock, with Forsyth snarling over scorched guitars as she lays down the law. Jangly, whirring guitar lines spin through the mix like a hurricane, mimicking the all-consuming vortex of addiction, but Forsyth makes her position clear: give it up, or you’ll lose me.
“Recording this song was one of the smoothest recording sessions I’ve ever done,” says Tori. “We went in and left five hours later with the song near finished. We knew before we went, where it was going and the influences behind it, PJ Harvey, Soundgarden. It was pretty magic how it just came together so easily. I’ve never been so inspired coming away from the studio.“
The minimalist video is directed by Brad Murnane from Spilting Productions and is split between white and red rooms with moments of performance from Tori and her band. Stylish, slick and full of energy, the clip includes props of a snake and stairs, symbolizing change and new direction for the Hunter Valley artist.
Tori says of the clip, “The idea behind the film clip was to suggest a story rather than tell one. I wanted it to be manic, lots of light and shade and I wanted symbolism through two colours. Brad, as always sprinkled his brilliant mind on it. I’m really excited about it.”
‘Be Here’ speaks to a lifetime of listening to strong, provocative frontwomen and female-fronted bands — Hole, Patti Smith, PJ Harvey – and parlaying that inspiration into something authentic and visceral. Forsyth also names Nirvana, Soundgarden and Audioslave as influences when writing the track.
Hailing from Kurri Kurri in the Hunter Valley, Forsyth has always been surrounded by eclectic sounds, from Fleetwood Mac to Elvis to ‘70s rock to Madonna. This richly varied musical upbringing has resulted in an artist who’s hard to categorise — not that she’d want you to put her in a box. “As a creative, that freedom to move in and out of phases and for people to embrace them for what they are, I think that’s really important,” she says.
‘Be Here’ is the sound of a thrilling young talent spreading her wings.
TORI FORSYTH ‘BE HERE’ TOUR
Fri 18 Oct – The Milk Factory, Brisbane QLD
Sat 19 Oct – The Imperial Hotel, Eumundi QLD
Sun 20 Oct – Vinnies Dive Bar, Gold Coast QLD
Fri 25 Oct – The Stag & Hunter, Newcastle NSW
Sat 26 Oct – The Union Hotel, Newtown NSW
Sun 27 Oct – Frank’s Wild Years, Wollongong NSW
Fri 01 Nov – Workers Club, Geelong VIC
Sat 02 Nov – Wesley Anne, Melbourne VIC
Sun 03 Nov – Smith’s Alternative, Canberra ACT