ALLISON RUSSELL RELEASES NEW TRACK “PERSEPHONE”
LISTEN/WATCH HERE
DEBUT SOLO ALBUM OUTSIDE CHILD OUT MAY 21ST ON FANTASY
“Singing a blend of elegant torch songs, ancestral ballads (in French and English), gentle country shuffles, and Al-Green inspired R&B, Russell embarks on a fresh musical beginning by dealing directly with her traumatic upbringing…Despite its heavy inspirations, ‘Outside Child’ is anything but despairing or academic.” – Rolling Stone
“The lyrics to ‘Nightflyer’ are mostly a list, a poetic and far-reaching one: ‘I’m the moon’s dark side, I’m the solar flare/the child of the earth, the child of the air/I am the mother of the evening star/I am the love that conquers all.’ Allison Russell sings them over a stately blend of country and church as she summons a congregation of her own vocal harmonies, gathering strength as she promises reassurance.” – The New York Times on “Nightflyer”
“Triumph glistens along poetic lyric lines as Russell uncovers unforeseen strength. Understanding this deeply rooted resilience derives from generations of strife, the artist beams with pride knowing the same strength will continue to build for her daughter and generations to come.” – American Songwriter
On May 21st, Allison Russell will release her first ever solo project, the highly anticipated Outside Child (produced by Dan Knobler) on Fantasy Records. Today, she shares the gorgeous new track “Persephone” from the forthcoming debut.
LISTEN/WATCH “PERSEPHONE” HERE
PRE-ORDER OUTSIDE CHILD HERE
Allison on “Persephone”:
“Persephone” is an homage to my first love – she helped me through my early days of being a teenage runaway and taught me that people can be kind… It’s about the healing joy of experiencing a consensual sexual awakening after a decade of abuse – and about the transformative rebirth that is possible when we begin to love and be loved with mutual care, respect and honesty.”
The poet, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, activist and co-founder of Our Native Daughters and Birds of Chicago, unpacks her youth in searing detail throughout Outside Child. “Persephone” follows “Nightflyer,” the album’s first single, which she shared last month.
Born and raised in Montreal, Russell imbues her music with the colors of her city – the light, the landscape, the language – but also the trauma that she suffered there. It is a heartbreaking reflection on a childhood no one should have to endure, and at the same time a powerful and warm statement of hope – asserted from a place of healing, of motherhood, of partnership – and from a new home made in Nashville. The record features contributions from many of the artistic family members she has found there including producer Dan Knobler, Erin Rae, Jamie Dick, Joe Pisapia, The McCrary Sisters, Ruth Moody, Yola, and her partner JT Nero.
“It was just about making these songs live and breathe in the most honest way,” Russell says. “We were laughing, we were crying. And the communion between musicians, I hope people can hear that on the record. It felt like magic.”
“Outside Child, Russell added, “is about resilience, survival, transcendence, the redemptive power of art, community, connection, and chosen family.” The album is both a radical reclamation of a traumatic childhood and lost home, and a lantern light for survivors of all stripes – a fervent reminder of the resuscitative power of art. “Allison’s new album, Outside Child, draws water from the dark well of a violent past,” says poet and songwriter Joe Henry.” “The songs themselves ––though iron-hard in their concerns–– are exultant: exercising haunted dream-like clean bedsheets snapped and hung out into broad daylight, and with the romantic poet’s lust for living and audacity of endurance.”
For special offers and exclusive merchandise, visit Allison’s official online store HERE.
“Persephone” lyrics
Blood on my shirt, two ripped buttons
Might’ve killed me that time oh if I’d let him
He’s slow when he’s drunk, and he lost his grip on me
Now I’m running down la rue St. Paul
Trying to get out from the weight of it all
Can’t flag a cop ’cause I know he won’t stop…
I’ll go see Persephone
Tap tap tappin’ on your window screen
Gotta let me in Persephone
Got nowhere to go but I had to get away from him
My petals are bruised but I’m still a flower
Come runnin’ to you in the violet hour
Put your skinny arms around me, let me taste your skin
Mouth to mouth, mouth to flower
Salty sweet you give me power
I feel you shake under my lips
Your fingers tender find my secrets
Don’t make a sound, don’t cry out love
Your parents are sleeping just above
I kiss you once, I kiss you twice
Fall asleep looking in each other’s eyes
Tap tap tappin’ on your window screen
Gotta let me in Persephone
Got nowhere to go but I had to get away from him
My petals are bruised but I’m still a flower
Come runnin to you in the violet hour
Put your skinny arms around me, let me taste your skin
Light on your shoulder, light on your cheek
Light telling me it’s time to leave
The birds are calling to the morning
Your parents’ feet above us stirring
Kiss your belly before I go
Climb back outta your basement window
Back to the cold’s bite, back to the hard life
Back to the harsh bright street
Tap tap tappin’ on your window screen
Gotta let me in Persephone
Got nowhere to go but I had to get away from him
My petals are bruised but I’m still a flower
Come runnin to you in the violet hour
Put your skinny arms around me, let me taste your skin
Photo credit: Marc Baptiste