Posted: by The Alt Editing Staff
Leilani Patao’s daisy EP dropped earlier this month, and one of the best songs on it is the fourth, a clattering indie pop track called “Red Hair Dye.” It wasn’t a prerelease single, although maybe it should’ve been, but that’s okay, because it’s getting its flowers now. Patao put together a video for the song, which we’re excited to premiere exclusively below. “Red Hair Dye” is, for the 21-year-old New Yorker, one of the most personal songs on daisy, because it is addressed directly “to my mom. First as a grown up asking for advice, and then as a child, just wanting a hug from my mom. I really hope she understands this one.”
As heavy as that sounds, the song goes down easy. Patao has a knack for melodies, and “Red Hair Dye” displays that from the jump. Plus, as Patao explains, the video might lighten things up:
When it came time to make this video, it was hard to tap into the emotions that came with this song. I wanted to show the layers I’d built up, how I peel them off, how at the end of it all, there’s a little kid in there. I wanted to show the feeling of performing a deeply personal song, how hard it is to get through it sometimes. I’m always torn between giving the audience all the emotions that are in there, and staying safe behind all the walls I’ve put up, and in this video, it’s the layers of clothing I’m wearing. I wanted to show what goes on in my head when I’m on stage.
But of course, it isn’t all serious. I end the song with a wink. And I’m wearing my New York hat, with “LA” slapped on top. I’m still joking around. Just like being from Los Angeles, now living in New York, and always missing home, this song is all about being in between. I just wanted to find the silliest way of showing that.
Check out “Red Hair Dye” below.
And, just because we love our readers so much, here’s an exclusive listen of the “Red Hair Dye” remixes by ilyliaes and Benjamin Shaw.
daisy is out now.
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Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
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