PREMIERE: Sea Offs embraces a positive melancholy in the “Occhiolism” video

“When did my voice get annoying?” Sea Offs‘ Oliva Price sings in a small yet smokey, very much so not-annoying, voice. Coupled with the key of a few dreamy, floaty chords, Price’s doubt-ridden question unlocks her private, solitary space where “Occhiolism” roams. Released last spring on the Central PA duo’s meditative What’s the Point? today we premiere the song’s accompanying music video.

Directed and filmed by Kirti Kalyandurgmath with assistance from Anil Sk, the video takes place on a foliage-blanketed hill in guitarist Rashmit Arora’s hometown, India’s Navi Mumbai. Featuring Arora’s friend and actress Shruti Venkatesh, the video mirrors “Occhiolism’s” reflective and subtle nature by glimpsing into an introspective, symbolic world.

If the term “occhiolism” looks a little unfamiliar, there’s a reason: it’s only partly a real word. Well in technical terms, that is, as occhiolism is recognized by the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows rather than Merriam Webster. Technicality aside though, the word is loaded with truth, as this obscure sorrow is described  as “the awareness of the smallness of your perspective.” With lyrics recalling this mind state as her “recurring tick,” Price says in a statement with The Key that the song focuses on “self-realization” and “coming to terms with your mental illness.”

Expanding on the song’s discussion of mental health, Price offers her perspective behind the meaning of “Occhiolism”:

“Speaking very generally: Depression isn’t all of you, but it is a part of you. So it’s important to recognize your tendencies – your need to compare, your need to overassess, your need to close off. I think once you recognize all of those things and accept them, you can start to feel beautiful in your own skin.”

Price’s words beautifully encapsulate what the video displays, as we watch a woman fighting an internal battle break away from the burden as she sprints away from it all — ultimately finding peace in the struggle. “I think the moment in the video that captures what the song is about is Shruti’s expression right at the end of the video,” says Arora. “It’s this positive kind of melancholy, if that makes sense.”

Watch the video below. Then, catch Sea Offs perform this dreamy tune live when they play Boot & Saddle on February 1st, alongside Kodiak Park and Lucinda. Find info on the 21+ show over at the XPN Concert Calendar.