An uplifting R&B soul anthem all about empowering Wahine Toa, breaking cycles, and letting go of toxic relationships and environments.
“I’m sure many people have found themselves in a situation where they are being hurt, disrespected, kept in the dark or repeating the same old mistakes. I hope this song helps encourage someone to recognise they deserve better and to put themselves first.”
Barton ran a successful boosted.nz campaign to help make the video with upcoming director Sophie Black and DOP Josè Alberto De Hoyos. It stars Tatum Warren-Ngata (Power Of The Dog, The Panthers) as a mesmerising ‘maiden’ and musician Jaqi Taimana Williams as a Matriarch.
“It doesn’t matter how old you are or your background. You can always fall into the role of the ‘Midnight Mistress’ longing for the day. With this video I wanted to show wahine in 3 different stages of life, stuck in this similar uncomfortable limbo - 'waiting for someone' to love or save them. But ultimately they can find strength, joy and fulfilment within themselves. So lessgo and dance it out."
The video has a retro aesthetic and vivid colours shot in a moody motel and bar.
“The motel acts as a metaphor for this lonely place, where you’re not quite at home, which feels like a fantasy. It’s also a stereotypical backdrop for the Mistress trope. The dirty secret, the other woman, the people pleaser or pleasure seeker. The temptress who brings misfortune on herself and others. It’s time She regains her power and autonomy.”
Ema I’u aka Ema Barton is a full-time musician, actor and creative (of Sāmoan/ Pākehā heritage); known as ‘The Queen of Open Mic’ having run multiple events over the last 8 years and performing regularly with her bands Lucky May and Coco-Rocky. She is working on multiple tracks with Producer Nathan Judd (Producer of the Year, Pacific Music Awards 2021) with a NZ on Air New Music Development Grant and a New Music Pasifika Grant for her next single. Midnight Mistress is the first single from this collaboration, with an album in the pipeline for release next year.