Kerri Watt has unveiled the brilliant new video for her debut Cooking Vinyl single ‘Cut Me Loose’. Inspired by ‘I, Tonya’, one of Kerri’s favourite recent movies, the promo was directed by Jake Ringsell and filmed at London’s Alexandra Palace ice rink. A keen collector of contemporary and vintage fashion – which she sells under her own label ‘Killa Watt’ – Kerri styled the video herself.
Says Kerri: “I always knew I wanted the tone of the video to be a bit moody with lots of attitude, but it wasn’t until I saw ‘I Tonya’ last year that I really got the inspiration I needed. Bringing directors, Nifty 50 onto the project helped me open up a whole world of ideas; we referenced film makers like Wes Anderson, introduced the idea of a colour palette that related to the single artwork, and set the tone for what’s to come from my creative project over the next 12 months. We shot the video through the night at Alexandra Palace. It was freezing! But loads of fun and yes… it is really me skating.”
Currently on Spotify’s ‘The Rock List’ Playlist, ‘Cut Me Loose’ is Kerri’s first release since her recent signing to Cooking Vinyl. Recorded in Austin, Texas, with Grammy-nominated producer Machine (Fall Out Boy, Lamb Of God), ‘Cut Me Loose’ heralds a rockier new direction for the Glaswegian singer-songwriter, whose previous country-pop singles have been playlisted on Radio 2. You’ll still hear the influence of her long term loves – Sheryl Crow and Van Morrison among them – but Kerri’s new sound has been inspired by the Americana & blues-rock bands she studied to teach herself guitar.
“Cut me Loose is about breaking free from someone who’s had a hold on you, leaving all the drama behind and never looking back,” says Kerri. “The mood is bold, empowering, a little dark and sexy with a dramatic energy. I was inspired by artists like Barnes Courtney, Kaleo, The Black Keys and Ballroom Thieves when writing the track.”
Earlier this year, Kerri supported Keith Urban in London, joining him on stage to sing Carrie Underwood’s vocal parts from 2016’s hit single ‘The Fighter’. She also performed at Country2Country Festival at the O2 in March, and this summer she has already appeared at Glastonbury, British Summer Time & Kew The Music Festivals. She will be performing at Cambridge Folk Festival tomorrow, August 2.
The eldest of three children, Kerri was brought up in the suburbs of Glasgow by a dad who played for Celtic before becoming a football manager and a mum who ferried her to endless music, dance and drama classes. At 15, having made friends in California on summer holidays there, Kerri won a scholarship a music college in Orange County and persuaded her parents to let her relocate for a year. She has lived on and off in California ever since, and you can hear the influence of the Golden State in the widescreen sound and lyrically empowered ‘Cut Me Loose’.
Stand by for news of the debut album from Kerri Watt, scheduled for 2020.
Video credits:
Directed by Jake Ringsell
Director of Photography: Michael O’Connor
Producer: Kaine Horey
Make Up: Naomi Lake
1st AC: Robert Chamberlain
Kerri Watt live:
August 2 Cambridge Folk Festival