Song offers emotional shot in the arm during COVID

Freedom – it’s something we all want and over the last couple of years, has been often hard to find.

In her latest song titled Freedom, Perth singer Rochelle O’Reilly shoots us a dose of infectious encouragement to remind us to find and fight for our own freedom. She also offers a valuable tip: we’ll find some freedom by helping and serving others.

“I wanted to write something uplifting and catchy,” says Rochelle the singer, songwriter and keyboard. “Thanks to COVID I feel like we have been in major captivity and I liked the idea of this song as an antidote to breaking out of that.

As a nurse who is working on the frontlines during the pandemic, Rochelle has seen up close how hard it has been for many people to find their person freedom, mentally and physically, amidst the chaos.

“I believe freedom is best found when you serve others,” she says. “When you let go of yourself to give to others, I believe that brings you so many rewards. In return it also helps free you and give you a sense of freedom. That must be uplifting.”

The catchy song is a blast of dance-pop sunshine sprinkled with a dash of groove and a splash of calypso to remind you to move. “Get up, get outta your bed, we’re movin’,” sings Rochelle, encouraging us to get out of our heads, move and act for our own happiness – and freedom.

As a singer and a nurse, Rochelle feels blessed to be able to use her talents to help people ease their pain and heal. Whether it’s through her lyrics or her medical aid, she believes every bit of positively injected into the community helps spread much-needed positivity.

Produced in Western Australia, the Freedom clip was filmed in the bush in Gosnells and at the Real Life Church. The clip features dancers from the Midn Marr Dreaming cultural group paying homage to the land and Indigenous culture. During their weekly community morning tea, Real Life Church holds an impromptu car park dance party with local church members, jazz dancers, the Orange Sky van and Rochelle’s four children.

Freedom is all about finding the freedom within. Isn’t it time to find yours? Start by sharing Freedom with everyone you know at www.rochelleoreilly.com.

Rochelle O’Reilly performs at the First Nations Welcomes All Nations, a Harmony Day family festival at Hyde Park on April 30.