All-femme, power-house folk quartet Octopus in Heels are proud to present their debut single "Keeping My Body" into the world. Keeping My Body explores themes of body sovereignty and identity in a world of expectations and systems that profit from them. This song brings together the best of the musicians of Pōneke in music to celebrate community and bodily autonomy. The single came to life at Surgery Studios with the help of Tiny Triumph Recordings, who chose "Keeping My Body" as the winner of their annual competition they run as a part of New Zealand Music Month providing an artist or group with free recording and production, paired with mastering by K0G studios, and a free music video shot and edited by Studio Halfgray.
Each member has an eclectic musical background. Drawn together they create original tunes inspired by the 70's NY folk scene, with modern influences. Songs are built on four-part vocal harmonies, supported by an array of sounds including guitar, ukelele, woodwinds, cello, percussion, and double bass.
Octopus in Heels brings together longtime friends and collaborators Eliza Pickard, Victoria Ferry, Phoebe Johnson, and Elizabeth Hocking to share their love of song and storytelling.
"Keeping My Body" features the voices of local Te Whanganui-a-Tara wāhine and non-binary musicians on the hook and final choruses of the track - all chanting together.
"The light is coming through / it's coming all the way to you they won't take my body /they won't take my body".