Allison Russell’s transformative community of music makers | Amplify with Lara Downes
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- Опубліковано 10 вер 2023
- Lara Downes | September 11, 2023
I first encountered Allison Russell in 2019, when she joined my friends Rhiannon Giddens and Leyla McCalla, along with Amythyst Kiah, to form a quartet of female banjo players whose original songs explored the experiences of Black women throughout American history. The group dug deep into experiences both personal and ancestral, legacies of struggle, resistance and hope, producing a critically acclaimed album for Smithsonian Folkways.
Allison contributed the powerful "Quasheba, Quasheba", inspired by the life of her paternal ancestor who was sold into slavery off the coast of Ghana and taken to a sugar cane plantation in Grenada. For Allison, the project was a transformative breakthrough. Encircled by the sisterhood of her fellow musicians as she connected with Quasheba's story of assault and trauma, she found the strength to open up about her own experience as a survivor of horrifying childhood abuse, unleashing a flood of writing that resulted in her debut solo album, Outside Child.
After two decades on the Americana circuit with her previous bands Po' Girl and Birds of Chicago - the kind of musical existence that offers a devoted community but not mainstream recognition - Outside Child changed Allison's life. And once again, the power of sisterhood was essential. Brandi Carlile heard the record and facilitated a deal with a major label; then came three Grammy nominations and accolades like "Musical memoirs don't come braver, or better."
When doors and hearts and minds are opened by the sheer force of your own truth and history, you understand how powerfully you're connected to the traumas and triumphs of your ancestors behind you and your descendants ahead. There's a joy and a freedom in that lineage of strength and survival, and that joy and freedom is all over Allison's new record The Returner, where she sings:
"I've come ten million miles, ooh, I'm burning I'm a summer dream, I'm a real light beam I'm worthy of all the goodness and the love that the world's gonna give to me I'ma give it back 10 times, people, are you ready? If you think you're alone, hold on, I'm coming"
Hold on. She's here.
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My dear friend introduced me to Allison Russell earlier this year, and I’m so grateful because her songwriting is beautiful. She uses symbolism and metaphor to tell stories that are both devastating and hopeful. She doesn’t turn away or hide from her truth. I hope to see her perform live sometime.
She is so gifted!! Love this interview!
Such a peace offering treat this exchange lays itself out B4 me to B...
I am giving thanx right now.
The coming togethers... the stepping further into the selves... and the story of coming to love (the tale of the sound of the clarinet that led to a calling of heart)... my mother has a similar tale about her finding love with the sound of the trumpet, which led to her being the hype'WOman (as she's been coined) with Sly And The Family Stone, but one of the stories I recall her telling often as a monumental stepping stone to building her into parts of herself (and the not so coincidental fact that she too was also in the film Summer Of Soul -my heartbis so tickled here)... and revisting the more urgent draw to survive, and become more alive, and music being such an avenue, such a vehicle to touching, tasting and toying with freedom desired.
This exchange snatched my heart... and reminded me of my own calling to remember me and my voice, but also even mom, as well as the plethora of art and artist about us...
I love how it was so graciously and simply stated; 'there is room for more than one...'
...this morning has barely begun for me... yet has already lain so much rich recall B4 my breathings...
Thank you both for this glorious gift. So simple, so stirring for me on so many levels... my heart today, right now in this moment is full. JOY.
First - Allison Russell is an absolute heroine of mine. But to speak of this interview - it’s so important - particularly as women - to recognize that false narrative they discuss about ‘scarcity’ which, when people believe in its truth, act in ways opposite to their own personal truths … and interests. This is true in every area of life. When we believe there are only so many pieces of the knowledge pie … we hoard what we have and refuse to share. We do the opposite of amplifying the voices around us … which is the exact thing that needs to happen in order to expand the resources, the knowledge, the options, the offers and opportunities.
The artists who go out of their way to help others bring their voices forth (literally and metaphorically) end up being the ones with bounty overflowing.
This is a beautiful conversation between two women. Lovely people.
wow the mics are so good, so well done as always
Excited to listen for the first time! Thanks for the introduction😊
👍👍👍👍👍👍
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Bioshock Infinite memories flood my brain~
This conversation celebrates the joy and power of the musical matriarchy. It acknowledges the profound influence of women like Mavis Staples and Joni Mitchell as icons to the more recent brilliance of Brandi Carlile and Rhiannon Giddens. In doing so, Lara and Allison are able to speak with a kind of awe of the role they have had in contributing to the greater whole of women in music, but they also spend some time on more personal projects and stories that give insight into their individual journeys.
Why is this recorded and mixed to sound like the those weird asmr audios? Sound technican got little bit too excited?
Cooperation > Competition
💎💎🦍🇮🇹
when I listen to Allison I feel the way I feel when listening to Nina Simone- not genre wise but emotion and movement wise
Keep scrolling down you will see the comment you are looking for..
I am actually also looking for the same comment so let's scroll together
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Marry by 26 if you want a family ladies. Mothernature hasn't changed.
Ignorance of men who think they need to tell others what to do hasn't changed either.
If a person wants to marry it should happen when they're ready to marry.
Why her face. Why.
Why your face? Why?
Yeah her beauty is a bit intense.
The power to melt .
Wow! Love your page! Let’s connect?