Alicia Toner’s latest single, “Dangerous Home,” tackled some very serious subject matter; the perceived social obligation of maintaining a cool and collected demeanor when your emotional and mental state is anything but. Toner expresses herself on the fragile uncertainty of living without a net and the upset of being deprived of that safest of spaces: home.
Created as part of Music PEI’s Golden Ticket Program, Toner worked with an all-star team; collaborating first with songwriter Sean Panting, co-producers Tim Chaisson (The East Pointers) and Stuart Cameron (The Heartbroken), and John MacPhee (Paper Lions) who manages the Golden Ticket program.
The video for “Dangerous Home” was directed and choreographed by Jordan Mah (Stratford Festival), Director of Photography Blake Hutchinson, and features dancers Heather Kosik and Devon Brown. They song was also created with an accompanying photo/essay series which juxtaposed the projections of happiness and success against the truth of a less palatable reality.
“This entire ‘Dangerous Home’ project has been a way to speak up in my own voice as an artist and the video is a continuation of that journey,” says Toner. “Beginning with the photo/essay series, the project gave a glimpse into two very different realities for the same person. The expectation photo was a candy-coated way to deal with the flip-side of the image; reality.”
Providing us with a fly-on-the-wall view to a fleeting and ultimately failed romance, Kosik and Brown dance away any notions of happily-ever-afters while Toner symbolically escapes in the aftermath, presumably to return as the “woman in red.”
“The video sees the two fused together. The ‘woman in red’ no longer remains picture perfect.” explains Toner. “The further we get into the flashbacks and the more intense they become, the more she starts to break down as well. I suspect this character will continue to make appearances in the future as the rest of this album unfolds.
“Filmed in Stratford, ON, this video was a labour of love and I have so many people to thank for its creation. My biggest thanks goes to my friend, director and choreographer, Jordan Mah. Shooting a video to one of my songs was an idea he brought to me this summer while we were both a part of the Charlottetown Festival. This video would not exist without his creativity and help from the immensely talented cinematographer, Blake Hutchinson. Not to mention the entire crew that worked tirelessly for two days and friends who donated their space so we could get this done in a very limited amount of time. I still can’t quite believe we pulled it off.”
Toner also has a direct message for another anyone experiencing domestic abuse:
“To anyone who may find themselves in a similar situation as this video, please reach out and find help. Whether that be a family member, a friend or your local women’s shelter,” says Toner. “Find that safe space and look for the helpers. You are not alone.”
Toner has hinted than an album of the same name might be expected later this year.
Show Dates:
06.01.19 – Fredericton, NB @ Living Roots Music Festival
06.02.19 – Dorchester, NB @ Shepody House*
06.03.19 – Halifax, NS @ The Carleton*
06.04.19 – Mount Stewart, PEI @ The Trailside Café*
06.012-15.19 – Charlottetown, PEI @ Small Halls Festival
*with Del Barber
Ontario and West Coast to be announced later.