Alela Diane releases her new single ‘Ether & Wood’ on 12 January, the second song taken from her forthcoming album ‘Cusp’ (out 9 February, AllPoints). Watch the accompanying video below:
‘Cusp’ is an album unapologetically about motherhood, and in turn womanhood. As Alela expands: “I hope that by exploring motherhood in song, I can help demand respect for the life givers we are. Talking and singing about the experience of motherhood is not something I can shy away from. It is the essence of who we are as human beings. This album is my version of women’s work.”
With ‘Cusp’ Alela wants to break the unspoken taboo by writing songs about motherhood and challenge the status quo which places the worth of female artists on their sex appeal, and not on their often vast and life-changing experiences. A point heightened by Alela’s near-death experience when giving birth to her daughter shortly after the album was written, with her daughter literally being born on the ‘cusp’ of life and death.
Whist first single ‘Emigré (December 2017) was a direct response to the international refugee crisis, penned after seeing images of the Syrian toddler washed up on the beach, follow-up single ‘Ether & Wood’ is a more existential look at the journey of life, as Alela explains:
“‘Ether & Wood’ is a reflection on the different lives that are lived within a lifetime. The doors along the way that often open and close without notice. I live in a very old house, and love thinking about all the people who lived and died within these walls. We’re all in there: the former selves, the lost loves, and the mysterious ones who came before.” – Alela Diane
‘Ether & Woods’ was recorded at Flora Playback by John Morgan Askew and produced by Peter M. Murray and mixed by Noah Georgeson. It is released as a digital single on 12 January, with the long-player ‘Cusp’ following on 9 February, both via AllPoints.
Pre-Order Cusp here: https://aleladiane.lnk.to/CuspALL
Alela Diane UK & European Tour
27 Jan: Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow (Celtic Connections) – UK
28 Jan: The Mackintosh Church, Glasgow (Celtic Connections) – UK
29 Jan: Vondelkerk, Amsterdam – Netherlands (SOLD OUT)
31 Jan: St. Pancras Old Church, London – UK (SOLD OUT)
12 April: Union Chapel, London – UK
13 April: Vooruit, Gent – Belgium
14 April: Doornroosje, Nijmegen – Netherlands
16 April: Hauskonzerte, Munich – Germany
17 April: Brotfabrik, Frankfurt – Germany
18 April: Heimathafen, Berlin – Germany
19 April: Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg – Germany
21 April: Motel Mozaique, Rotterdam – Netherlands
22 April: Het Zonnehuis, Amsterdam – Netherlands
24 April: Theatre de L’ideal, Tourcoing – France
25 April: Stereolux, Nantes – France
26 April: La Cigale, Paris – France
Tickets here: https://aleladiane.com/tour/
Photo Credit: Jaclyn Campanaro