Scott Clay’s “Aurora” Remixed: A Testament to His Songwriting Versatility

“Aurora” stands as one of Scott Clay’s most streamed tracks on Spotify, and it’s easy to understand why. The song invites listeners into a rich auditory landscape, weaving together the heartfelt essence of Americana and folk music. Thoughtfully crafted songwriting, complemented by pianos, guitars, and luminous harmonies, elevates the piece, making it a remarkable and enduring musical experience. The original version of “Aurora” debuted on Scott Clay’s 2022 album, Let It All Lay Bare, and was later reimagined in a remix by Josh Richins and David Murray. This reinterpretation adopts a trip-hop and downtempo style, evoking comparisons to artists like Wax Tailor and Emancipator, while offering a fresh, atmospheric perspective on the track.

“At the time of writing the song I had never had the opportunity to see the northern lights, but my close friend Britt Warner took a special trip to Iceland in October 2019 specifically to see them. When she returned from her trip she told me the story of her travels and of her very first time seeing the northern lights. The disappointments and expectations that come along with waiting for nature to reveal itself. And the excitement of that moment when the sky finally bursts into color. So I took her stories and wrote them into this song. It was very fun to write from someone else’s perspective, because it helped distill the story down even further, since you’re working from their cues and words in the songwriting process.  And its special to have a song to share with someone, rather than just writing from your own perspective.”

– Scott Clay on the inspiration behind Aurora 

The popularity of this song has propelled Scott Clay into the realms of electronic and alternative pop music, resulting in two stunning remixes: the Jarbeats X Vermillion Remix and an equally captivating version by Eliot Lipp. These reimagined tracks bring a fresh sound to the original, showcasing its versatility and appeal across genres.

The Jarbeats X Vermillion Remix infuses the track with a driving bassline, supported by a crisp snare drum, creating a sense of intrigue and mystery. Distorted electric guitars add a gritty edge, while the slightly elevated vocal mix introduces a polished pop sensibility. Despite this, Scott Clay’s voice retains its organic, raw quality, grounding the track in its folk roots. The result is a masterful blend of folk and alternative pop, striking a perfect balance that epitomizes the essence of folktronica.

“I worked with the cinematographer, Spencer Johnson, on this project. He had helped me film my music video for ‘Time Will Tell’ two years prior. He lives in Bellingham, Washington which is quite close to Mount Baker ski resort. We wanted to capture a winter vibe for this song, and that was an absolutely perfect location to do so. The week of the video shoot the weather was quite turbulent and we weren’t sure that we were going to be able to record the footage due to some winter storms. But we lucked out and had a bluebird day at the ski resort after the most heavy snowfall of the entire season. The trees were completely way down with snow. I believe they’d received several feet in the prior days. Mount Baker is one of my favorite places in Washington State and I’m so glad we want to capture an amazing snow day while filming! I really enjoyed walking through the deep snow with the old wicker snowshoes, they really helped create the sense of an expedition in the video, and ultimately the discovery of the Aurora and mystical and magic colors that it displays as it dances across the sky.” – Scott Clay