Our Song of the Day arrives via a new animated video (by What The Hump) for Ruth Theodore‘s new single ‘Kissing in Traffic.’ An uplifting song like this is perfect for the long weekend. The song features on her latest album CACTACUS which was a Featured Album of the Month on Folk Radio UK. In his review, Neil McFadyen spoke of “the toe-tapping positivity of Kissing In Traffic. Filled with Mathias Künzli’s percussion, joyful brass, and Rob Burger’s organ chords, the song bounces back from heartbreak – ‘Sadness can eat my dust.'”
Kissing In Traffic is a catchy and optimistic love song and “by far one of the most simply structured and positive songs I have written” explains Ruth. Amidst the celebratory New Orleans style rhythms and hopeful pacey energy there are flickers of darker times within the lyrics that reference a past and passionate, yet destructive relationship; with the overriding message of not letting the past dictate the future and allowing yourself to move on.
The recording process of this song also broke new ground for Ruth in terms of arrangement style. The trumpet solo, performed by Toni Glausi, was intentionally given a free and improvised feel. “I would usually write all of the musical arrangements for my songs, every single note, but this time it felt more appropriate to just let someone run with it” returning to the earlier message that “sometimes you should just enjoy looking out of the window, whilst somebody else drives.” Ruth Theodore.
The single Kissing In Traffic is set for release on April 28th via Aveline Records, and the good news is that Ruth is currently on tour in the UK through to May where she ends on a roll with a show at The Lexington, London on May 7th (see remaining dates below). In case you’re wondering, she sounds amazing live:
Known for her quirky, insightful, poetic lyrics and insidious melodies, CACTACUS features Ruth’s distinct songwriting style and honest lyricism at its core. The recording sessions saw Ruth crossing the Atlantic to collaborate with Todd Sickafoose, best known for his work with Ani Difranco and Anais Mitchell.
Ruth Theodore 2017 UK Tour
Saturday 15th April 3rdSpace – Llandudno, Wales www.3rdspace.wales
Thursday 20th April – The Stables – Stage 2, Milton Keynes www.stables.org
Tuesday 2nd May Komedia, Brighton www.komedia.co.uk/
Sunday 7th May The Lexington, London www.thelexington.co.uk