Blue Vow Releases Fourth Single and striking music video, “Oistrophaneia”

Blue Vow, the experimental music project fronted by Cape Town-based artist Chelsea Ann Peter, has released her fourth single, Oistrophaneia. This haunting track is a powerful exploration of the dark and the light, echoing both personal and mythological themes, and serves as a precursor to the forthcoming album, Death of a Big Black Dog, set to release in 2024.

"One does not attain enlightenment by merely conjuring images of light, but by confronting the darkness within. Yet, this latter process is often uncomfortable and therefore unpopular." - Carl Jung

Influenced by Carl Jung’s concept of embracing the shadow within, Oistrophaneia draws inspiration from the mythology of Hekate, the Dark Mother, who stands at the crossroads of transformation and wisdom. The song acts as an ode to the healer and medicine woman archetype, illuminating the journey through the dark nights of the soul and the confrontation of the shadow. In a statement on the single, Chelsea Ann Peter reflects on Jung’s words: “One does not attain enlightenment by merely conjuring images of light, but by confronting the darkness within.”

The accompanying music video, and Sabina van Rooyen’s directorial debut, is an exploration of the relationship between light and dark, a visit to the crossroads, and a deep dive from one realm to another. 

Peter’s intricate production and layered soundscapes are complemented by her recently expanded band, which now includes Joy Markus, Damon Miles, Cam Lofstrand, and Stephan Erasmus. 

Blue Vow’s musical journey began with the critically acclaimed debut album Sunfall in 2022, which explored themes of inner and outer worlds, self-reflection, and existential questioning. With the upcoming release of Death of a Big Black Dog, Peter continues her sonic exploration, digging even deeper into the interplay of darkness and light, confronting universal human experiences of fear, transformation, and self-realisation.