Sive explores claustrophobia in self-directed video for 'Think Before I Speak'

Kildare native Sive has shared the ambient new visuals for 'Think Before I Speak', a track full of the singer-songwriter's swirling, dreamy alt-folk soundings.

Sive's vocals are now complimented by an equally dreamy new music video, self-directed and shot at home by the artist herself. It aims to capture the claustrophobia of getting stuck inside your own head. Its atmosphere was inspired by the feeling of being surrounded from all angles by voices of judgement - both internal and external - that keep you stuck and silent.

After a series of email conversations with videographer Laura Sheeran, Sive shot the footage at home using her phone and a projector.

Opening with gentle ukulele sounds, ‘Think Before I Speak’ expands into the most developed full band alt-folk sound heard from Sive to date, acting as a strong and mature first example of the wider album release. Her polished and confident vocal as always shines through, that easily glides and soars above a bed of driving rhythm section featuring drums, bass and guitar.

Taking twists and turns, the song reflects on the topic of chronic overthinking, and the pressure we put on ourselves to speak out before fully understanding what is being asked of you.

"It calls into question a culture that is obsessed with speed and doesn’t always allow time for reflection," Sive notes.

Influenced by the likes of Joni Mitchell and Tori Amos early on, Sive has carved a a truly compelling style of alt-folk that is not afraid to differentiate from the norm. At the core of her sound is a unique and dynamic vocal that has been compared to Lisa Hannigan, Feist and Bjork amongst others.

Following a successful crowd funding campaign, Sive released the album The Roaring Girl to critical acclaim in 2017. She followed the project up with live shows across Europe and New Zealand, sharing stages with the likes of Lisa Hannigan, Kila, Mick Flannery, Cathy Davey and Gemma Hayes.

She later joined forces with artist-led collective Veta in 2018 (with the likes of Maria Kelly), and exploring thrilling new directions in her sound with co-producer Matt Harris. Sive recorded a series of songs in their studio space in Berlin that summer and released her self-titled EP in May 2019

After an Irish tour, including a sell-out EP launch in Dublin at Anseo, Sive headed into the studio to work on her follow up record. In late 2020 she was awarded a MISP recording grant, and she is currently putting the finishing touches on a new album which will be released in early 2022.

Watch the compelling video for 'Think Before I Speak' below: