AMAARA‘s debut album, Child of Venus, is a bold and unforgettable introduction to Kaelen Ohm‘s music. The Canadian-born singer, songwriter, and producer’s third collection of songs is reminiscent of classic-era dream-pop as well as Radiohead’s most spectral and haunting moments—and yet the resulting sound is entirely her own, teeming with detail in a way that draws listeners in and keeps them coming back.

A reflective work that zooms in on the things we hold close and what manages to escape our grasp, Child of Venus is a record that leaves a mark on anyone who hears it, in the best way possible. Stream + share the LP featuring the stunning track, “Still,” via your preferred platform: https://amaara.ffm.to/childofvenus

“Still” swoops and bends like Treasure-era Cocteau Twins as Ohm immerses herself in what living through love really means. “It’s about looking at love as a journey,” she says while discussing the song. “At the other side of it, there can be so much reflection and beauty – and questioning where the other person is at in their process.”

1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically? 

‘Still’ turned out to be one of my favorite AMAARA songs I’ve written so far. I wrote the words first, which doesn’t happen too often for me. It really came out of metaphorical visuals in my mind – around how love and heartache and self discovery feel – like a heavy spin or a cliff dive. Once I had produced and recorded it, I knew I wanted the song to be a single. AMAARA is a multi-media project, so it wasn’t a question whether I would make a video for it. 

2.What was the inspiration behind this video(visuals, storyline, etc.)? 

You know, it’s funny with this video. Usually I have a very strong concept for visuals for the songs. They are usually in my head while I’m writing the music. This one had taken on many, many ideas and to be totally honest, by the time I shot this video I had no resources left. AMAARA is just me, so after paying for the record and the videos for ‘Bright Lights’ and ‘New Love’s Mortal Coil’ and PR help to get the word out, I was forced into a very tight container for what I was able to do – which is oftentimes, how my favorite work is made.

3.What was the process of making this video?

I reached out to an old pal, Jay Lawrence in Calgary, AB and he agreed to shoot the video with me. I went up there for a couple days from my hometown in British Columbia to try and get the video done – and to visit some family. My aunt and cousin drove me around their home area outside of Calgary and showed me the field across from my uncle’s office. I was really exhausted from editing the other videos and thought it would be cool to try and do ’Still’ in a single shot. Jay is an amazing camera operator, so I knew that wouldn’t be an issue on his end. I decided to wear my favorite t-shirt, which is almost expired, and my ex-husband’s jeans – who I had just traded with the week before for a pair of my own. I had some ideas for what I might do, but ultimately Jay and I met at the field on a day that was cloudy and smoky from the wildfires. He brought his camera and I brought a piece of red fabric I bought at Value Village for a dollar the day before. We ran the song a couple times, I made up the movement on the spot and I think after about the 8th full take we had it. The whole shoot was three hours. I did the first pass of the color grade and handed it to Jay to add some of his own work and he sent it back again to me to finalize. I love how it turned out in the end. It doesn’t lean on a heavy concept or hide behind editing, wardrobe or makeup. It turned out pretty raw, which at its essence is synonymous with the heart of the song.

Child of Venus as a whole is a document of rediscovery and transition, with Ohm coming up for air as an artist and human being truly reborn. “I wanted to share this emergence of me as a person and artist,” she reflects. “I’ve been going through so much change, and this record speaks to the path that I’ve been on. I hope this music will find its place in the world and will be able to act as a companion in peoples’ lives if they connect with it.”