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Video premiere: Watch Chastity Brown “Wake Up”

Alissa Paris (left) and Chastity Brown (right) in "Wake Up"
Alissa Paris (left) and Chastity Brown (right) in "Wake Up"

by Cecilia Johnson

August 16, 2017

Chastity Brown released her most recent album, Silhouette of Sirens, in May after a long recording, writing, and re-recording process. Now that it's out, she's shared a wealth of thoughts and art about the project, including beautiful interviews, a touching show at the Fitzgerald, and new music videos: "Carried Away" and "Wake Up."

Out today, the "Wake Up" video features Brown herself in the main role, spending a morning by herself (or so it might seem). There's no clear narrative; Brown calls this a "stream of consciousness" song, and the video follows that lead. Andrea Swensson taps into that elongation of the present in her Silhouette of Sirens review: "Like many masterful songwriters, Chastity has the ability to make her stories feel intensely personal yet open-ended [...] When Chastity Brown sings, the wind takes a breath. Clouds hover. Waves flatten out and the lakes go still."

Shot by Wale Agbola in a downtown Minneapolis flat, the video illuminates peace and conflict inside Brown. Dancer Alissa Paris is an alternate Chastity, one who lingers behind the real artist. Intercut are smoky, warm-colored clips of Brown playing guitar.

Today (Aug. 16), Chastity Brown performs a free show at Sociable Cider Werks as part of Oake and Riley in the Afternoon. The event runs from 4-7 p.m.; admission is free.

Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment
This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.