Rising artist Semiah has returned with her latest single, “Withdrawals.”
A love-gone-wrong anthem, the track layers electro pop punk vibes with the haunting beauty of traditional Haudenosaunee vocal techniques. Co-produced with Montreal collaborator Teleh0rn, the song’s innovative metallic textures perfectly complement its accompanying music video, which Semiah produced, directed, choreographed, and styled.
The video, a visual spectacle, features a Katana sword fight set against the stark beauty of snow-covered mountains. Semiah stars as the leader of a femme fatale spy trio, clad in glittering costumes that radiate a punk anime-meets-Indigenous warrior aesthetic. With Montana Summers as the Villain and Katie Couchie and Kali Kennedy as the Purple and Blue Spies, the video is a dazzling mix of Hollywood drama and deeply personal storytelling.
A small piece of a grander cinematic narrative Semiah hopes to turn into a feature film, “Withdrawals” sees her star as the lead spy in her trio and faces a moral and emotional dilemma: the Villain is a stand-in for a real-life heartbreak, and their on-screen chemistry reflects the lingering feelings of love and betrayal.
“I wanted to write a story with the same moral lesson as the song but in a more entertaining, Hollywood way,” Semiah explains. “It’s easier for me to express these themes through fiction rather than something too personal. The video ends on a cliffhanger—will we make up, both die, or will someone win?”
Semiah’s ability to weave her personal experiences into bold, cinematic art is just one of the many reasons she’s an artist to watch. “Withdrawals” not only showcases her musical versatility but also highlights her skills as a storyteller, choreographer, and director. Whether wielding a guitar or a sword, Semiah is here to leave an indelible mark.