Music
Our Violet Room Embraces Hardship On Powerful Folk Single “Saved Me”
“Saved Me” poetically captures a turning point from suffering to resilience with a cinematic styling reminiscent of a Coldplay anthem.
Denver based folk artist Our Violet Room – aka Matthew Birch – excitedly anticipates the release of his cinematic single “Saved Me,” out October 22. “Saved Me” is an exciting follow up to Birch’s previous single, “Winter,” which aired on Season 3 Episode 17 of the popular FreeForm show Good Trouble. Released alongside a haunting music video, this track tells the story of embracing hardship and using grief as the motivation to persevere in spite of our suffering. For Birch, “‘Saved Me’ is about going through the fire and coming out stronger – as who you were always meant to be.” This instrumentally decadent track pulls influences from a variety of artists like Eliott Smith (through spritely fingerstyle guitar) and Hans Zimmer (with the colorful orchestral instrumentation). Yielding a final product rivaling the caliber of work produced by icons like Coldplay, “Saved Me” undoubtedly has listeners singing along after just the first chorus.
The music video for “Saved Me” mesmerizes viewers with an enticing stop motion production technique. Showcasing the melancholic scene of a gloomy midwestern landscape, the cinematography of this video captures the bleak essence of going through a great hardship. Carrying on through suffering is no easy task, and the heavy heartedness that comes across in this video perfectly captures that. This music video compliments a cinematic arrangement of a production heavy track. Decorated with all encompassing symphonies and unassuming piano, “Saved Me” is driven by steady fingerpicking on a bright acoustic guitar. This song is a non negotiable for all folk/pop lovers; fans can stream “Saved Me” on all major streaming platforms and watch the accompanying music video on October 22.

A deep love of movie scores and the composers that made them alongside an admiration and passion for folk music is the base of the music that Birch creates under the moniker Our Violet Room. An “indie singer-songwriter with a cinematic twist”, Birch got his musical start in 2018 by playing SoFar Sound shows – first in Denver but soon all over the world. A humble story of overcoming depression, working hard, and diving headfirst into his dream, Birch only has one goal…. to make thoughtful, well-made, emotional art that inspires his listeners and causes them to feel. His music has been compared to the likes of Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver, Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel, and Coldplay for its lush atmosphere, emotional lyrics, and cinematic arrangements and has quickly launched his music career with two songs featured on FreeForm’s Good Trouble series and two songs featured in a Magnolia feature film. “Making movie scores has been a dream of mine and to look at each song as a little movie score has been a great way of creating,” says Birch. Thus far in his career, Birch has released two EPs – Our Violet Room and the live EP Loss and Death in Winter – alongside a handful of singles. Mixing folk and cinematic soundscapes seem to be working for the emerging artist as his songs have a combined 70K+ streams. “ I don’t go for cool or hip, I go for what moves me.”
Artist Spotlight
“Hell has frozen over” finds Sarina choosing peace over being understood
Sarina’s new track, “Hell has frozen over,” explores the less dramatic, more complicated moment of reaching the end of the road, being gaslit, ignored, rejected, and painfully lonely. It translates the emotional burnout into a rock-pop context that’s easy to understand.
“Hell has frozen over” focuses on the decision to step away, instead of explaining, defending, or seeking understanding from people who refuse to listen. The rock foundation gives it the right weight, the pop influence makes it accessible, and the focus stays on the emotional message.
Sarina’s art is the struggle of loss and being strong in yourself. It’s about understanding that protecting your peace is more important than being understood. And that’s the emotional balance that gives the release its character so that the subject matter has relevance beyond a particular circumstance.
“Hell has frozen over“ is a relief from the burden of carrying on a debate that will never be resolved. Sarina turns an experience of isolation into a statement about boundaries, resilience, and the choice not to get caught in the same cycle. The result is a record that’s at its best when it’s being true to what it feels like to finally be free from whatever has been holding you down.
Photo Credit: Andrea Hunter
Artist Spotlight
Girlhood finds summer warmth and quiet freedom on “Lemon Aid”
“Lemon Aid“ is a warm indie-pop ballad from Girlhood that finds comfort in the ordinary and weaves in a sense of release. This song is about surrendering to the moment, finding space to breathe, and letting a little lightness back in. This reflective core is surprising, given the warm summer-night feel of the track, hinting at a moment of emotional rebalancing.
Singer-songwriter Natalie Holmes has a tender personality and fronts the slow-burning “Lemon Aid.” The production supports that softness, keeping the song’s gentle mood and intimate direction front and center. Beneath the comfort is a thoughtful examination of pressure, transition, and the need to pause.
The song’s link to the streets of Stroud offers yet another layer of art to the work. Familiar places can mean something when life feels uncertain, and the emotional scene involves storefronts, parks, cafes, and leafy, winding streets. “Lemon Aid“ searches for beauty in everyday places and rituals, finding still moments that mean something without getting carried away.
The track is the first release of Girlhood’s forthcoming album, “This Will Make Sense In The End,” a more reflective chapter with hope at its heart. “Lemon Aid” is about softness, conjuring a space where dancing, wandering, and just existing can feel like a cure. It’s an unleashing of small observations and soft emotional movement and a clear indication of the thoughtful direction that Girlhood is heading next.
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