The story
Red Door is Dora’s malicious track about a haunted house, told from the perspective of the house. She wrote it on a SongSeeds residential songwriting retreat at a grand Edwardian country house in Perth, whilst sitting in its turret. The house, with its many bedrooms, dark corridors, cobwebs and long history directly inspired the song.
On Red Door, Dora’s love of the uncanny meets influences from Scotland’s hip hop scene: she created the track after a workshop by the Glasgow-based rap artist Paque. The result is a chilling, beat-based track with haunting vocals, scaring and enticing you to step into a hungry haunted house.
Press
“leaves you unsettled yet compelled to play it repeatedly. Dora’s vocals tap into a sense of darkness, the same paranoid twitch that draws people to murder-mysteries and true-crime podcasts. The track meanders like a menacing trip-hop number […] if you’re ever in the mood to tingle your spine, this’ll do it and a whole lot more.” – Andy Reilly, SNACK
“The titular door opens out to reveal a chilling, darktronic experience with hip hop informed beats underpinning Dora’s atmospheric vocals over resonant strings and piano. Haunting stuff indeed.” – Tony Hardy, Fifty3 Fridays
“This has a mystical retro pop […] Dora’s vocals are quiet and eerie but she controls the dynamics with trademark expertise, leading into a haunting but infectious hook.” – Neil March, Trust the Doc 98
“I was spooked and hooked right off the bat due to Dora’s hauntingly enchanting vocals, the catchy, creeping melody and possessive lyrics.” – Caragh Music
Airplay on BBC Radio Scotland, The Afternoon Show
Lyrics
Do you feel safe
when you turn off your light
at night and lie in the dark
without a spark of joy
Do you feel cold
The chill, my will
I’d kill to still this hunger
Shadows watch you from the wall
Close your eyes and I will fall
Into your thoughts and turn your dreams
into your own worst fantasies
and I won’t stop until you scream
And become smaller than you’ve ever been
I’ll get you where I want you
There’s nowhere you can run to
I took a part of you
When I held you between these walls
You didn’t mind at all
Now I reach out from the distance
With tentacles twisting
Around your arms and legs and neck
And I’ll have you back
and you know it’s inevitable
I’m destiny calling
I’ll get you where I want you
There’s nowhere you can run to
The red door is waiting
It’s unlocked
Yes the red door creaks open
For you to walk
inside
I’ll get you where I want you
There’s nowhere you can run to
I’ll get you where I want you
You know it’s time to come home
Credits
Words and music by Dora Lachaise
Produced by Dora Lachaise
Mixed by Jonni Slater
Mastered by Nick Cooke
Vocals, guitar, synths, beat, percussion, sound effects: Dora Lachaise
Piano and cimbalom: Jonni Slater
Music video by Jonni Slater
Camera work by Jonni Slater, Chris Brambley and Dora Lachaise
Released on 4 October 2024