Babe Martin – Versoix: 13th Floor New Song Of The Day

Babe Martin is the project of Zoë Larsen-Cumming (she/her), musician and songwriter based in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland). Behold this new video for Versoix.

Here is the blurb with more:

Babe Martin skilfully crafts sparse arrangements, mainly piano and cello, that carry her stories leaving listeners tenderly gut wrenched.

2023 has been a big year for Babe Martin, she released her debut The Versoix EP which would go on to earn her a nomination for Te Tohu Hopunga Puoro Mariu (Favourite EP / Mixtape) at the Student Radio Network Awards. Her songs soared to the top of the the RadioScope Alternative Airplay Chart, the 95bFM Top 10 and Student Radio Network Top 10. Rolling Stone AUS/NZ chose her as one of Eight Kiwi Artists Tipped to Take Over and she sold out local venues throughout the year.

To close off the calendar year, Babe Martin has released her first music video for Versoix, made by Kelly Gilbride and Jennifer Riis Gotrik.

At the time of release Babe Martin described Versoix as a ‘memory song,’ something akin to a dream. Now she brings that thought to life with a music video shot on Super 8 film in lush woods reminiscent of the Swiss woods.

Babe Martin describes the process between Kelly Gilbride, Jennifer Riis Gotrik and herself as “very collaborative. I shared lots of photos of Jen and Kelly, ones that I’d taken in Versoix and talked to that time in my life. I wanted it to stay true to the feeling of the song. ‘Versoix’ is dedicated to landscape of Versoix in Switzerland and the friends I made there, like a snap shot in time. Making this video on the outskirts of Tāmaki Makaurau with two friends in a relaxed but intentional way was perfect.”

“Versoix is an invitation down memory lane,” notes Kelly. “We all have our own Versoix, and when I listen to the song I feel very connected to the street I grew up in, the creek I spent my summer digging for gold, and the trees I used to play under. It’s a very nostalgic piece of art.”

“With the video I wanted it to feel like the warmest of memories all rushing back to you in a moment of melancholy. My grandad, towards the end of his life, would sit in his armchair with his eyes closed, though he wasn’t sleeping, and would be daydreaming about his youth, my grandmother, and who knows what else. Sometimes, with his eyes still closed, he would share some little memory with me. That was the mood I was hoping to capture with the juxtaposition of a woman alone, pretty much a floating head, sort of swimming through the memory of what was probably quite an inconspicuous day at the time but that she now cherishes and, for whatever reason, is turning to.”

Jennifer notes that “as soon as I heard the song I knew super 8 would be a perfect medium. My partner and I have brought our super 8 camera along on holidays and road trips for years and love how it instantly feels like a time capsule, one you’ll show to the grandkids. I wanted to capture the nostalgia the song holds, the connection Zoë writes about with Versoix, the forests and this place of meaning for her, as well as the simplicity and whimsy of a spontaneous weekend adventure with friends.”

Now the video is released Babe Martin reflects “the feeling of shooting matched the feeling of recording it with Jazmine Mary, and the feelings I had back in Versoix, so I knew it was going to come out well and be a beautiful addition for the track.”

She has managed to create something utterly unique” – Flying Nun

“There’s a diffident beauty to Babe Martin” – Rolling Stone AUS/NZ

“Expertly curated songs grounded in lyrical sincerity” – Undertheradar.co.nz

“She brings listeners into her bittersweet, nostalgic memories” – Debate Magazine