China Forbes sings of late Pink Martini drummer Derek Rieth

Published 12:00 am Thursday, September 8, 2022

The most prominent lead singer of Pink Martini has released her first solo music in 13 years.

It’s China Forbes, and the second single from her forthcoming album, “Rise,” serves as a personal and uplifting tribute to her friend and former bandmate, the late Pink Martini percussionist Derek Rieth.

Rieth lost a long battle with bipolar disorder and died by suicide in 2014.

“Rise” has been released as a video available on YouTube and Vimeo. It premiered Wednesday, Sept. 7, during National Suicide Prevention Month and during National Suicide Prevention Week. It was shot in the Columbia River Gorge and Portland filmmaker Jacob Pander edited it and Joanie Fox produced it. Along with Forbes, it features members of Portland’s Lions of Batucada, a Brazilian-styled marching samba ensemble co-founded by Rieth in 1996.

The song “Rise” will also be featured in the upcoming feature documentary film “Beatlore,” about the life of Rieth, by Fox.

Forbes has been the voice of Pink Martini since 1995. This is her first solo music since her autobiographical album “78” in 2008.

The first single of new music was “Full Circle,” and Forbes also co-wrote with Thomas Lauderdale two hits from Pink Martini, including “The Lemonade Song.”

About “Rise,” Forbes said, “When my bandmate and great friend, Derek Rieth, was suffering with depression, I sent him a text with some imagery that I thought might help him: ‘Rise to the surface of the water, so you can feel the sun on your face again …’ I thought that if he stopped resisting the phase he was in, he would rise up out of its grasp. But depression is a desperate, enervated place, and too many of us cannot see a way out. After Derek died by suicide, the words in my text became a song — a song that I hope will help anyone who is suffering from hopelessness. There is hope, and I hope you can feel it.”

About the video, she added: “Making this video on the top of a cliff touching the heavens brought me closer to Derek. Dancing with members of Derek’s samba community brought me closer to him. When we lose our loved ones, any way to stay connected is like finding treasure. I wanted this video to pay tribute to Derek’s memory and capture the joy and hope in life that is available to all of us if we can find it. I want this video to help anyone struggling to stay alive.”

“Beatlore” is a look at the life and legacy of Rieth. From publicity: Derek was always running towards life but during a manic phase followed by a deep depression Derek died by suicide. Derek was world renowned for his mastery of Brazilian and Afro Cuban drumming. Everyone who met Derek fell in love with his charismatic nature and undying passion for music and community.

For more about “Beatlore,” see its page on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.