New Single & Animated Video Release: “Headline”
OPUS 8’S LATEST RELEASE IS OUT NOW
Opus 8 is thrilled to announce the release of Headline, a new a cappella single accompanied by a beautifully animated music video.
Written by Opus 8’s Robert Busiakiewicz, Headline is a soulful love song sung from the perspective of a woman longing for connection, wondering “what’s going on?” with a partner from whom she has become emotionally or physically separated. Nostalgic, intimate, and harmonically rich, the song blends contemporary a cappella writing with deep emotional resonance.
The recording features acclaimed singer-songwriter Kaili Kinnon, originally from Toronto, whose “smoky soul-pop” voice brings a striking individuality to the piece. Robert cites hearing Kaili sing a Christmas song about grief as a key inspiration for Headline, alongside the soulful harmonic language of Australian artist Nai Palm. The goal was to unite these influences in an a cappella setting, creating space for vulnerability and reflection.
The collaboration itself has a long history. Eight years ago, Kaili Kinnon was a Youth Minister at a church in Toronto, which coincidentally was the same church attended by an Opus 8 soprano, Clara Fraser. One Christmas, Clara shared with Robert a home-made video video of Kaili singing in her living room, and he was transfixed by her soulful voice. Not only was it a beautiful sound, but so individual, so unique, and he immediately thought: we have to find a way to collaborate!
They couldn't find a way to get together, juggling so many commitments, but eventually the Covid-19 pandemic put all their hectic musical lives to bed. It was then that Robert reached out again to Kaili, to see if they could record a new song Robert had written together with Opus 8. They could only gather 3 people together in a space, with social distancing, and no churches would allow them to record. They were lucky that two of their key supporters, Suresh and Nutan Bhalla, were willing to let them convert their kitchen into a recording studio. One at a time, each member of Opus 8 came to record their part of the song 'Headline' with the indefatigable technician, Patric McGroarty. The sessions were not all smooth, however. There was a gardener operating a loud leaf-blower next door, which was disrupting the takes. In the end, Robert had to go out and pick up a rake to help him finish the job quicker!
Kaili recorded her magnificent solo last, followed by the almighty job of putting all the pieces of the puzzle together after the fact. It became clear that they had a very special final recording, and they wanted to add some beautiful visuals to the music. Opus 8 engaged an illustrator to create a music video, but his work was delayed and eventually cancelled by the war in Ukraine, where he and his family were living at the time. They changed tack and engaged another Canadian artist, Andrew Cormier, who completed the video at the end of 2025.
Opus 8 is delighted to share the result - 'Headline' - with you now, after 8 years of dreaming.