Award-winning country artist Katie Thompson today releases the new music video for her popular track, West Coast, featuring stunning scenery and live performances filmed at community events.
The video is now available on all streaming platforms and via links at www.katiethompson.co.nz Appearing on Thompson’s third studio album Bittersweet last year, the track, which won her an MLT Songwriters’ Award for in 2016, has been an instant fan favourite and one of her most-requested live tunes.
The music video incorporates footage from the 2020 Wildfoods Festival and the opening of the Paparoa Track in Blackball, something Hokitika-raised Thompson was determined to capture.
“Both were really cool community events and it shows that music brings people together,” she says. “As a fifth-generation coaster, the West Coast is so important to me, and, as the song says, ‘it’s in my blood and in my bones’.”
To keep the project central to the West Coast, she worked with three local videographers, Dave Kwant, Daimon Schwalger and Jase Blair, to capture the energy of the live events, and the beautiful, sweeping mountain shots that show the region at its very best.
Thompson has been a well-respected figure in the New Zealand music scene, since the release of her 2009 debut album, Tall Poppy. This led to an opening performance act for Sir Elton John. Her talent was quickly recognised by Global Rockstar and the young musician was soon flown to Vienna to write and record with other artists around the world.
For her third album, Bittersweet, she collaborated with award-winning producer Ben Edwards. It was recorded at The Sitting Room in Lyttelton with the added input of local musicians.