PREMIERE: John Blek shares super 8mm video for 'Cormorant'

Hot Press is delighted to premiere the video for John Blek's new single, 'Cormorant'. The second single to be taken from Blek’s upcoming album, On Ether & Air, ‘Cormorant’ is an up-tempo track that effortlessly balances the melancholy and  the sweet.

Mythologically, the cormorant means different things in different fishing cultures. But for many, the bird is a sign of good luck. The Cork-native weaves this metaphor into the song, which is about how Kris Dever (of Scottish band Lau) and his wife were expecting their second child while Dever had to travel away from home for work.

"The longing to be home to support one's partner contrasting with the necessity to work away in order to provide is something that has always occupied my mind," Blek explains. "The comparison between a touring musician and a long-haul fisherman is one I have drawn on before, having had many confessional conversations with fishermen over the years."

The video is striking, filmed in vintage-style Super 8mm, and directed by Blek himself. He filmed around the Port of Cork and his garden, and then edited and projected it onto the faces of John and his wife Ciara.

‘Cormorant’ features Kris Dever on guitar and backing vocals, winner of an incredible seven BBC 2 Folk Awards.

"Chance encounters and some fortunate timing lead to me being able to work with some of my favourite musicians," Blek says. "Getting people with such unique playing styles involved went a long way in defining the sound of On Ether & Air and creating an album of which I am immensely proud."

Due to Covid lockdowns, last year John had to reschedule an entire tour of sixty gigs. Thankfully, he will be taking to the road again from September to December of this year for gigs in Ireland, as well as a comprehensive European tour taking in many dates in the UK, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. For all tour dates, check out his website.

Watch the video below.