Him is Auckland-based sound and performance artist Jazmine Rose Phillips and ‘Suicide Town’ is the second single from her debut EP Snakes At Night. RNZ Music is proud to be the first to share the song’s video, shot at Te Henga / Bethells, where Jazmine spent the last year living in a tipi while completing her album.
Video filmed and directed by Robyn Jordaan and Jazmine Rose Phillips.
Warning: This story discusses suicide. Find out where to get help.
Jazmine on ‘Suicide Town’:
“I was on an artist residency in the Himalayas. Sleeping in my little concrete room, I heard dogs barking across the mountains. There was unrest. I woke up and knew I needed to call my mother.”
“I called her in my home town Trafalgar [in Gippsland], and she told me her friend and our neighbour had taken her life the night before.
“It’s sad. It’s always sad when this happens, but may she rest in peace now.
“The thing that really unsettled me is that when I lived in that house with my mother over 10 years ago, our neighbour on the other side had taken her life. I remember having had the same feeling on that night too.
“So there are these three houses in a row, with three mothers. Two are gone now and my mother is in the middle. So, in the only way I knew how, I wrote these words asking her not to wash away.
“This song was originally an electronic song. I’d finished it in India – it was ready to release, but when I got back, my laptop was stolen.
“I lost the song for a while, then it came back with the help of [recording engineer] Rohan Evans, as well as Aaron Longville and his ability to somehow translate my feelings with his saxophone.
“I don’t like to tell people what things are, but I do want to say: this isn’t a sad song.”
Suicide town was filmed and Directed by Robyn Jordaan and Jazmine Rose Philips.
Jazmine and Suicide town were born in Gippsland, Australia and travelled to Aotearoa to be released.
Him will be travelling to Australia in October to do a Melbourne/country Victoria Tour and We can expect a Single release very soon.
Him – aka Jazmine, is originally from Gippsland in Australia. She’s just wrapped up a NZ tour accompanied by Aaron Longville on saxophone and Saoirse Chapman on synth.
Aaron also features on Him’s Snakes At Night album.
‘Suicide Town’ Lyrics
Woke up and I was crying, leave it alone. leave it alone. leave it alone.
I want to cut this timing, can you hold some?
I dreamt 2 mountains, we were standing, and a third eye weeping out came red.
Please don’t wash away, the desire to bite down, suicide town.
Please don’t wash away , the blood.
Please don’t wash away.
Desire to bite down.
Please don’t wash away.
Please don’t wash away.
Please don’t wash away.
The blood.
Where to get help:
Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email talk@youthline.co.nz
What's Up: online chat (3pm-10pm) or 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 helpline (12pm-10pm weekdays, 3pm-11pm weekends)
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202
Kidsline (ages 5-18): 0800 543 754 (24/7)
Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
Healthline: 0800 611 116
If it’s an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
