A flourish of flute and bang – Full Metal Jacket – the fearlessly tumbling new single from Ruth Theodore, is out of the starting gate. From the skittering percussion to the multi-lingual piano playing with shades of boogie-woogie, this is the most infectiously ecstatic number we’ve heard in a while. A super tonic for the soul, the single is taken from her eagerly awaited new album, due for release in 2024. Theodore has announced a November UK tour, with a special launch at The Water Rats in Kings Cross, London, on November 22nd. Full details are below.
Talking about Full Metal Jacket, Ruth tells us:
“This is a snowball of a song that, whilst actually written in a couple of hours, has subliminally been gaining momentum my whole life.
It’s a song about overcoming trauma and learning to hold your own, on this patriarchal, unjust, outright rude!…but undeniably beautiful planet.”
The accompanying video was filmed at various locations and Edited by Imogen Mason. The track was Produced by Ruth Theodore, Mathias Künzli, and Todd Sickafoose.
Theodore’s broad musical skill set and original style have led her into impressive company, performing, recording and co-writing with top musicians across the pond. The new music was recorded in upstate New York by Eli Crews (Tune-Yards) and co-produced by Theodore and long-standing collaborator and Grammy and Tony award-winning US bassist/producer Todd Sickafoose (Anais Mitchell including “Hades Town” / Ani Difranco) and Swiss-American percussion virtuoso Mathias Kunzli (notable for work with Regina Spektor and Lauryn Hill).
‘Full Metal Jacket’ is a high-energy, bittersweet song in which Theodore’s sinister and rhythmic lyrics contemplate the art of revenge. Kicking off with a menacing Piano riff to right all wrongs and armed with a full chorus of backing singers, Theodore takes us on a physical and emotional journey in a determined pursuit of her wrong-doer.
As a highly skilled self-taught instrumentalist, Theodore chose to compose her intricate music entirely by instinct. Her percussive guitar and experimental piano styles demonstrate Theodore’s abilities as a musician and offer insight into her playful and spontaneous attitude to music. However, Theodore’s captivating vocal style with her poetic, lyrical delivery claims the forefront of her work.
Theodore’s music reflects her naturally transient personality, avoiding being pinned down in all aspects of life from sexuality to physical location; Theodore’s compositions, like their creator, delve deep into various realms and genres whilst never lingering long enough to become entangled in the details. With this panoramic vista, Theodore creates and performs with a unique and instantly recognisable style that effortlessly pushes the boundaries of gender and genre and defies the confines of the conventional “singer-songwriter” archetype.
Renowned for her impressive and engaging live shows, Theodore has assembled another exciting line-up of talented musicians for her November tour. Among them are award-winning Zimbabwean bassist Edith Weutonga and Scottish/Spanish singer-songwriter Harry Bird. This new stage show brings more of Theodore’s new music into the limelight, and together with gripping stories from her life, she and her percussive line-up of drums, bass, keys, woodwind, strings and backing vocals will take you on an emotional, political and very playful journey.
Ruth Theodore November 2023 UK Tour Date
15th November – The New Adelphi Club – Hull –Tickets
17th November – The Square And Compass – Worth Matravers, Swanage – Tickets
18th – November – Hatch Court Barn – Loddiswell, Kingsbridge, Devon – Tickets
19th November – The Jam Jar – Little Ann St, Bristol – Tickets
20th November – Hyde Tavern – Winchester – Tickets
21st November – Hyde Tavern – Winchester – Tickets
22nd November – The Water Rats – London – Tickets
24th November – The Folklore Rooms – Brighton, East Sussex – Tickets
Website: https://ruththeodore.com/