The gloves are on, and the head is down; Rachael Dadd is bobbing and weaving, and she looks like she’s ready to do some serious business as she unleashes ‘Heads Down’ from her forthcoming new studio album, ‘Kaleidoscope’ (out on 14 October). Fear not; she’s still the peace lover we all know and love, but she always has some wisdom that’s worth sharing…
Heads Down came out of a playful music session with Rachael’s youngest son, as she explains, “Having just bought my new Gretsch guitar and Wem amp, and cranking it up in my front room with Oto on the harmonica, the chords and rhythm felt fun and energising. The words followed, inspired by someone on the radio recounting being chased by a gang with baseball bats after naively offending the gang leader. Cockiness and misjudgment are qualities of brazen teenagers and arrogant politicians alike. But rather than just waggle my finger at the others, I looked inward to find that I too have a part driven by impulsive feelings and misguided strong will. After crashing we might hopefully be able to learn and grow by practising self-discipline and self-compassion alike”.
It’s a slick and catchy number, just like the video, Co-produced with Narna Hue (also Director) and DOP Tom Jacob…they’ve pulled this one off beautifully and how great to be filmed on her home turf and at Bristol Boxing Gym. What a star! Heads Down is also our Song of the Day.
There’s also a great shoutout to the charity Empire Fighting Chance who do amazing inspiring work: “Empire Fighting Chance was born on Bristol’s streets to fight the impact of deprivation on the lives of young people. We use a powerful combination of non-contact boxing and intensive personal support to challenge and inspire young people to realise their unique potential.”
‘Kaleidoscope’, including a limited-edition hand-numbered DINKED splatter vinyl with a bonus EP (called “The Bridge”) of non-album tracks featuring This is the Kit is available for pre-order everywhere HERE.
‘Kaleidoscope’ is Rachael’s second album for Memphis Industries and follows 2019’s ‘Flux‘, which was released to much acclaim and which Rachael was touring when the pandemic struck. “This album is a lot more honest and personal than ‘Flux’” she shares, “but I feel the songs are universal as they are largely rooted in truth and love. If I had to pick a favourite album it would be this one because of the magical rekindling of human connection when me and my band got back in a room together again. All that magic went into these songs.”
Co-produced by Rachael and Rob Pemberton (The Staves, Emily Barker, Maja Lena), ‘Kaleidoscope’ includes musical collaborators such as Maja Lena (Low Chimes), long-time collaborator Emma Gatrill (Willy Mason) and ‘Flux’ producer Marcus Hamblett (Villagers, James Holden, The Staves).
InStore and Tour Dates
Rachael will be performing some intimate instore shows to celebrate Kaleidoscope’s release in October as follows:
14 October – Sound Knowledge, Marlborough – instore (6pm)
15 October – David’s Music, Letchworth – instore (1pm)
15 October– Rough Trade West, London – instore (6pm)
16 October – Resident, Brighton – instore (6pm)
17 October – Friendly Records, Bristol – instore (7pm)
and touring the UK in November and December, playing the following shows:
November 2022
2nd – Falmouth – Cornish bank – https://racheldaddfalmouth.eventbrite.co.uk
3rd – Bodmin – The Old Library – https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/intobodmin/t-pqqqmgx
4th – Totnes – St Mary’s Church – https://www.wegottickets.com/event/552721/
15th – Leeds – Mill Hill Chapel – https://brudenellpresents.seetickets.com/event/rachael-dadd/mill-hill-unitarian-chapel/2378870
16th – Manchester – Gullivers – https://www.seetickets.com/event/rachael-dadd/gullivers/2378965
17th – Birkenhead – Futureyard – https://futureyard.org/listings/rachael-dadd/
18th – Newcastle – Cobalt Studios – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rachael-dadd-tickets-388539410837
20th – Edinburgh – Voodoo Rooms – https://www.432presents.com/events/43a58071-a9d0-4bc0-bb8e-a883d54131d1
23rd – Southampton – Heartbreakers – https://www.seetickets.com/event/rachael-dadd/heartbreakers/2379594
24th – Brighton – Komedia – seetickets.com/event/rachael-dadd/komedia-studio/2378848
26th – Faversham – Hot Tin – https://www.ticketweb.uk/event/rachael-dadd-the-hot-tin-tickets/11169095
30th – Bristol – Strangebrew – https://www.seetickets.com/event/rachael-dadd/bristol-strange-brew/2378926
December 2022
1st – London – Courtyard Theatre – https://dice.fm/event/v7opd-rachael-dadd-1st-dec-the-courtyard-theatre-london-tickets
2nd – Stroud – Goods Shed – Link TBC