While best known as the bassist and co-songwriter of the multi-platinum The Magic Numbers, Michele Stodart has been carving out quite a name for herself as a solo artist, which began in 2012 with Wide-Eyed Crossing and followed up with Pieces in 2016, that Mike Davies called a thing of perfection. If anything has come to define her solo work, it’s her engaging storytelling, with songs often shaped by personal and heartfelt experiences.
As you can see from the years mentioned above, there has been no rush to push out her solo albums. Her new album, Invitation (15th September – pre-order here), is no exception, marking the longest gestation to date of seven years. That said, they say the best comes to those who wait, and Invitation, a title that also suggests intimacy and openness, is possibly her most intimate offering to date, reflecting on themes of motherhood, relationships, mental health, transformation, endings and new beginnings.
Talking about the album, she said: “It comes from a place of inviting in the darkness, the hard times, the sadness, anger, loss, love and grief… all of the unknown feelings that get woken up inside you. To practice staying with them, no matter how uncomfortable. To understand that they are there to guide you.
“I believe that it’s in the learning and listening that we can transform, grow, stay conscious and wholeheartedly true, open, honest with ourselves and others. Words are a powerful resource and we can choose to use them to connect deeply with one another. Song-writing has always been my way of trying to do just that, and I hope this album ‘invites’ us to reach out together.”
Michele wrote, arranged and produced the album, with additional production from long-standing collaborator Dave Izumi Lynch. It was recorded at Echo Zoo Studios and features Michele on vocals, guitars, bass and percussion, as well as appearances from her brother and fellow member of The Magic Numbers, Romeo Stodart (piano), Andy Bruce (piano), Alice Phelps (harp), Will Harvey (violin and viola), CJ Jones (drums), Nick Pini (double bass), Joe Harvey-Whyte (pedal steel), Dave Izumi Lynch (synths).
We have the pleasure of sharing Michele’s video for her first album single, ‘Tell Me‘ (out on Friday), which was shot by Emma Holbrook, who is also an incredible percussionist whose love for filmmaking resurfaced over lockdown. The video was inspired by Sinead O’Connor (more on this below). Black and white photography is such a powerful medium for conveying emotion, and the dark backdrop used for this film makes it such an intimate performance, also highlighting the deep conviction behind the lyrics.
Michele shared the following on ‘Tell Me’:
‘Tell Me’ was written one morning as the sun came up after having done an all-nighter at one of Kathryn Williams’ songwriting retreats. The words and melody just all came out all at once as if the song already existed, and I was just the voice to make sure it was heard. In that moment, I was suddenly, unknowingly, given this responsibility to do right by the song.
“Are there any of the other sides to me that you couldn’t love”
There are many sides to all of us. We can hide our vulnerabilities behind this protective sense of control and composure… but this song wants to capture the heat of a moment: a brave conversation between the truth and lies of a relationship. A love affair in denial.
Visually, I wanted to create a sense of change and transformation in the video. The hands represent all the ways we can be thrown around or pulled into situations… How we can be manipulated, hurt or muted, yet also cared for and cherished. There’s a subtle dance to it, sometimes gentle and beautiful, other times messy and uncontrolled. The crow’s feathers continue the theme of the artwork and illustrations for the album (drawn by Joni Bellaruski), where the image of the crow appears repeatedly – a shapeshifter representing transformation, change and freedom.
Singing these words directly to camera was a challenge for me, but I was inspired by Sinead O’Connor’s ‘Nothing Compares to You’ video, which had always moved and haunted me growing up. I wanted to convey the raw emotion of the words, so Sinead was there with me in spirit when filming. Unexpectedly, it was barely a week after filming the video that we heard the sad and shocking news of her death. Her voice is a real loss. She was a true artist and warrior who spoke up and stood true to her heart. She does and will continue to inspire me, always. This video is dedicated to her.
Invitation is released on 15th September (Digital, CD, Vinyl and Ltd Vinyl). Pre-Order via Bandcamp.
Michele Stodart Tour Dates
To celebrate the release of Invitation, Michele will tour the UK with dates as follows:
October
5.10.23 Birmingham – Kitchen Garden Cafe
6.10.23 Chesham – The Drawing Room
13.10.23 Oxted – United Reformed Church
14.10.23 Swanage – Square & Compass
15.10.23 Winchester – The Railway Inn
18.10.23 Leamington Spa – Temperance
20.10.23 Manchester Folk Festival
27.10.23 Milton Keynes – The Stables
29.10.23 Ramsgate Music Hall
November
1.11.23 Leicester – The Musician*
2.11.23 Pocklington Arts Centre*
23.11.23 Sheffield – Cafe #9
24.11.23 Merseyside – Thornton Hough Village Club
25.11.23 Barton-upon-Humber – Ropery Hall
26.11.23 Bury – The Met
30.11.23 London – St Pancras Old Church
(Album Launch Show w/special guests)
*double bill with Hannah White
December
6.12.23 Brighton – Folklore Rooms
7.12.23 Maidenhead – Norden Farm Arts
8.12.23 Trowbridge – The Pump
Ticket links and more here: https://www.michelestodart.com/