Basking in the inspiring landscape of New South Wales, indie pop band Pirra evoke a sense of wonder and opportunity in their call to adventure “Once” ft. JFT
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Once in a lifetime leave it all behind through the fire, born anew…
We humans have so many man-made barriers between ourselves and the “natural world,” when ultimately we are as much a part of nature as the sun and moon, the trees and oceans. We build skyscrapers to house us during our days and nights: Steel barricades with cubicles inside, each another pod in which to live out our days. One doesn’t glean inspiration from four white walls – nor can one properly connect with themselves in that environment, either. We need nature for that kind of intimate release of and from the self.
Basking in Australia’s breathtaking landscape, indie pop band Pirra evoke a sense of wonder and opportunity in their new anthem “Once” ft. JFT, a call to action and adventure.
We could step outside for the view
Nothing left to hide and no reasons to
Move through beyond
a feeling never to weary
We’re letting go of the need to control
Atwood Magazine is proud to be premiering Pirra’s music video for “Once” featuring James from Taree (JFT), directed by Jeremy Urbaniak (aka Polisz Ambassador) and shot in various locations throughout New South Wales. A four-piece from Sydney, Australia blending indie rock with psychedelic and electro-pop sounds, Pirra debuted in 2015 and consists of Jess Beck on vocals, James McKendry on guitar, Curtis Argent on bass and Jeffrey Argent on drums.
Their first single following 2018’s EP Rabbit Hole, “Once” finds the band building off the allure of an infectious rhythm, turning a fleeting feeling into a world of tangible emotion.
“From the very first time I heard ‘Once,’ I immediately recognised its appealing potential,” lead vocalist Jess Beck tells Atwood Magazine. “It’s very easy on the ear, the sounds and lyrics hijacked my imagination with beautiful sunsets and grand open landscapes, where I could sing along and motivate myself before taking my next step in life.”
With its hypnotic beat and pulsing melody, “Once” invites listeners to lose themselves in Pirra’s world. The band create a lush soundscape that culminates not in peaks and trophs, but in a soaring sonic adventure. The euphoria of freedom and discovery seeps through the song’s chorus:
Once in a lifetime leave it all behind
Through the fire born anew
Under the skyline truly alive
It’s now or never or forever waiting
We could step outside for the view
Nothing left to hide and no reasons to
Move through beyond a feeling never to weary
We’re letting go of the need to control
Directed by Jeremy Urbaniak, “Once” offers a stirringly intimate and intense visualization of nature’s many beautiful elements. “Connecting with nature and allowing for reflection, the lyrics sung by the characters motivated me to make confident and bold decisions,” Urbaniak explains. “Smart black and white outfits represent the simple and neutral look for the characters, who I interpreted as guardians. Pirra give me enough energy to be creative and working with them is like being on holiday.”
“As a country girl, I particularly love the beautiful outdoor shots that have been captured,” Jess Beck says. “When showing my designer and videographer buddies at work, they said the Glenworth Valley and Buckra Benndinni shots were so spectacular that they could be green screen. The stars were filmed over several nights at Buckra Bendinni. Jeremy’s dedication to getting these shots was exceptional. I felt so bad when I was fading and drifted off to bed, and Jeremy was out there until 2 AM wiping the lense each time it fogged up.”
She continues, “After we got the sunset shots in Glenworth Valley we were driving back to camp. Curt noticed the huge tunnel in the paddock and said, we have to incorporate this somehow. We used lots of DIY tricks including the headlights of the car for lighting. We also discovered the biggest spider we’ve ever seen, but the show had to go on. Ended up being my favourite shots! The twins and I now live in Maroubra. We thought we’d finished up filming for the night, but then saw an electrical storm coming, so we rushed down to the beach. It was so lovely hearing the thunder and watching the storm. What’s really cool is that ‘Maroubra’ is a local Aboriginal word meaning place of thunder, so it’s quite fitting.”
Overall, I want people to feel the music and sing along when they are watching it, just like I have.
In addition to its nature themes, “Once” contains a cerebral element of escapism and retraction into the self and away from our normal world – the world of the everyday. There’s a seductive darkness to this concept – an underlying eerie sensation of leaving ourselves behind, in order to rediscover ourselves and be a little more whole again.
While neither “Once” the song nor its video claim to have a single meaning, Pirra’s overall message is one of hope, excitement, and possibility. We never know what’s going to be on the other side, until we go there; until we try. Why not take that chance? What do we possibly have to lose – especially when there’s everything to gain!?
However you’re living, just make sure you’re alive.
Once in a lifetime leave it all behind
Through the fire born anew
Under the skyline truly alive
It’s now or never or forever waiting…
Once in a lifetime leave it all behind
Through the fire…
Stream Pirra’s “Once” featuring JFT exclusively on Atwood Magazine!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=792mGD4wrIk&feature=youtu.be
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? © Jeremy Urbaniak aka Polisz Ambassador
