RNZ Music is proud to present this stunning live recording from South Auckland three-piece Valkyrie. ‘Closer’ was recorded and shot against the beautiful backdrop of Auckland’s Huia Point.
Valkyrie are a three-piece from South Auckland that fuse pop and rock to create “moody theatrical sounds combined with powerful anthems.”
The band consists of Omer Gilroy (Nga Puhi, Ngai Tahu), Rebel Reid (Nga Puhi) and Brandon Haru (Nga Puhi, Tainui).
They’ve recently been working with a producer from Nashville with the aim of bringing an “international touch” to their music, so expect exiting things in the new year.
They also have a number of gigs coming up in 2020:
- January 26 | Bay of Islands Music Festival | Waitangi Sports Grounds, Paihia
- February 29 (yes, it’s a leap year!) | Single release and party | details to come
- May 30 | Maki Festival | Trusts Arena, Auckland
Valkyrie released their very first video last leap year (2016), so they’re celebrating with a single release and party/gig on Feb 29, 2020 – details to come.
The video for this special live recording of ‘Closer’ was shot in the dramatic surrounds of Auckland’s Huia Point, is directed by talented New Zealand music video director Shae Sterling.
Valkyrie chose to shoot at Huia Point in West Auckland, for a couple of reasons – “First of all,” Omer says, “We love doing acoustic versions of our songs in odd places like the Waitomo Caves or a converted church.”
Places you don’t expect to see a piano or to see a beautiful performance being filmed.
Secondly, the members of Valkyrie hold this part of West Auckland (Huia point, Whatipu, Karekare) close to their hearts: “We come out here almost weekly to reset our minds and our wairua. Sometimes to reconnect with nature or just to escape and take time out for ourselves.
“At Huia Point you can see the whole harbour, you can see Awhitu across the water, you can see the edge of South Auckland, and you can see right out to the horizon.
“There aren’t many places like this left in Auckland.”
Closer is a song about bringing people together through love, and the band say Huia Point always does that them.
This special live version of ‘Closer’ features Hannah Fang on violin (Fang also featured in Valkyire’s acoustic version of their song ‘Sakura’), and Simon Bramley (Valkyrie’s guitar tech), on bass.
The video was filmed by Shae Sterling, assisted by Alex Buchanan, Aunshai Glassie, Kathryn Porter, Lei Reid and Ebonie Cecil. Makeup by Ashleigh Israel. Rebel and Brandon dressed by First Scene. Production by Brandon Haru and Rebel Reid of Valkyrie. PR by Woodlane Music.
Thank you to the Cecil family for lending Valkyrie their piano.
