Track of the Day: Roisin El Cherif: 'Glass House'

Roisin is a half-Irish, half-Palestinian artist, who first came on to Hot Press' radar for her stunning cover of Bon Iver's '8 (circle)' last year.

With her work as a Music Video Director (she's currently in the VFX department for TV's Vikings), Roisin has built up a distinctive visual style, to go along with her ethereal singing.

This is readily apparent in new single 'Glass House'. Taken from her EP of the same name, 'Glass House' showcases Roisin's powerful, haunting vocals, against a backdrop of minimal instrumentation.

The music video features Helen Shaver, a former actress, who is widely known for directing episodes of Orphan Black,13 Reasons Why, and Vikings.

Speaking about the song and video, Roisin says:

"Glass House, the song, is about the risk of falling and how real hurt can scar you. Everything is fine as long as the elephant in the room isn't mentioned. You need to be made of steal to keep up the facade. At any moment it can break. We takes risks knowing the cut might be deep.I went through a few things this year, my fear of hurt becoming reality. My therapy and recovery have been being in womens company; my friends, my mom, the girls at work. Its an ode to them.

"The story of the music video is quite quirky and spontaneous. I had the image of a tribal mother wanting to reconnect with her origin: the Sea. She calls up her otherselves if you will, and a leaving ceremony takes place where she bids the youth goodbye. I had help with the development of the story from actress Olwen Fouéré. Olwen pointed me in the direction of Shamanic Journeys when I explained my idea.

"I work on Vikings with Helen Shaver, a former actress and one of the directors of Vikings as well as Orphan Black and 13 Reasons Why. I don't know how but I managed to rope in Helen as the leading lady. She hasn't been on screen in 5 years. So all together this pretty surreal! I have found a lot of solace and love in the tribe of women. I am investing."

Roisin El Cherif will be supporting Heroes in Hiding in the Button Factory 2 November. Tickets are still available at €10.

Listen to the 'Glass House' below: