Henlow musician releases new song ‘Ghost’ to raise money for NHS in memory of a friend

Skye Balaam, 29, has recorded a new track and video called Ghost as a tribute to her former housemate Dani Thorne, who died last year aged just 26.

Dani had been unwell, but her death was sudden, and paramedics battled for over an hour to save her life at her home in Bedford on May 31, 2019. Skye is now determined to honour her friend whilst also raising awareness and money for the people who fought to help her - the NHS.

Skye said: “After Dani died I immediately felt like there were lots of things unsaid, lots of unanswered questions.

“I had nowhere to put these feelings but one way of doing this was to be creative, to get something through in the atmosphere so that at some point she feels it.

“Dani had a lot of friends, a lot of people loved her. We hope that she knows that.

“She was a very caring person and she spent part of her career caring for the elderly with a company in Biggleswade. I know that donations to the NHS would make her happy.”

Dani and Skye first met through mutual friends at a gig when they were teenagers.

The pair became closer when they lived together in Lincoln Crescent, Biggleswade, for a couple of years, and Skye fondly remembers their nights out and her housemate’s quirky habits.

Skye said: “Dani loved music and she would put up with me playing guitar until really late at night. She was also super, super quirky. For example, she used to eat pea soup with chips dipped in it; she would pop to ASDA after work for something quick for tea.

“She was bubbly, funny and loved pretty things like scented candles – anything comforting.

“And you always knew when Dani had been out somewhere - there would be a pile of make-up and hair extensions in the house!”

Skye has poured her heart into the tribute, and released Ghost on Monday, June 1 (one year and one day after the death of Dani), the title representing her friend “passing into the afterlife”.

The indoor scenes of the music video were shot in a stable in Langford before lockdown, with videographer Josh Darko shooting the footage of Skye singing.

Meanwhile, Dani’s best friend, Farrah Escobar, and Farrah’s daughter, Elsie, star in the piece.

Elsie runs happily down country paths in Biggleswade to show how Dani’s friends envision Dani in the afterlife: “being happy and meeting again with lost loved ones”.

There is also a nod to her love of Disney films, particularly Beauty and the Beast, with pink roses featured.

Farrah said: “Dani and I have been best friends since we were three years old, going through school we were absolutely inseparable. We spent most of our lives back and forth from each others houses and I consider every member of her family a part of my own. I can’t remember my life before Daniella, she was everything you could ever want in a friend and we have a million and one amazing memories I will cherish for the rest of my life.

“We would always sit and envision growing old together, I could never have imagined my life without Dani.

“I feel so happy to have involvement in the music video I think it’s absolutely beautiful and has definitely touched everyone who knew Dani. I just hope that she is as proud of me as I am of her.”

Skye added: “What is important to us now, is that the NHS as a whole are recognised for their past, present and future efforts to keep us healthy and save lives. Dani would have taken comfort in knowing that her passing drew some positives and helped others.

“It’s a shame that they haven’t had this much appreciation until now - something like this [the pandemic] had to happen.

“I just think that it’s really important that we continue to support these services - without them we would really be in trouble.”

Dani leaves behind her two younger sisters, aunties, uncles, cousins and her granddad. To donate money to the NHS, simply stream Ghost online. (Please note, the YouTube video itself will not generate donations).

For links to the streaming platforms, visit: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/skyebalaam/ghost-2

YouTube: search ‘Ghost - Skye Balaam’.