Australian singer-songwriter Fanny Lumsden is set to release her fifth studio album Traditions on October 30th. The long-player features her previous single Difficult Woman and the new one Mother’s Eyes, a pensive gaze at the matriarchal bloodline, whilst remembering that itself is ultimately enough when you compare it to the pressure of ageing and aesthetics. “This song is a love letter to myself ultimately, that you’re going to question everything and your age, but in the end, when you look in the mirror, it’s your mother’s eyes looking back, and that can be enough,” says Lumsden
On the personal theme of the album, Lumsden explains, “As I’ve got older, I’ve begun to realise the value and meaning that can come from traditions; however, what I’m still learning is how to balance the ideas of who I am with those traditions, and that they are all allowed to change as we go. I loved that Traditions brings up so much discussion for people. Traditions and families are messy. I can value the traditions of my family whilst also understanding that they were born of a flawed system. There is more to traditions than being steadfast; I think I’m discovering the movement and change they need to survive. I am here now, trying to marry my autonomy and ambitions with my farming family’s traditions. Perhaps belonging is found when traditions are alive, in traditions that grow – and maybe some need to be just left behind to move forward.”
The album also includes the song By The River, featuring hero of this parish Paul Kelly, with whom Fanny has toured extensively in recent times, both in the UK/Europe and across his last Australian arena tour. Kelly apparently largely served as the song’s inspiration. After singing harmonies on a deep-cut track named The Pretty Place whilst on tour with him in Europe last year, Lumsden says the song just kind of fell out whilst she was staying next to a river in the Peak District. “In the song “The Pretty Place”, Paul somehow described the place that I always go in my mind when I imagine a safe place. Going to the river is also a big tradition in my family. We are river rats through and through, and we always seek a river out, so a river song was always going to come at some point. I am unbelievably grateful and awed by the fact that Paul said yes and is singing my lyrics”.
Produced by Steven Schram (Crowded House, The Cat Empire, Paul Kelly), Traditions was recorded live in the studio over 9 days by Lumsden and her band, The Daddies (AKA the Prawn Stars). It was a method that Lumsden had never before attempted, and each track was captured in a single take. “Tracking everything live was initially a daunting concept for me; however, Stephen was really great and helped me to trust the process and stop underestimating what we were doing.”
Fanny will be touring in Australia around her new album release, with UK/EU dates planned for 2027. We will keep you informed and maybe have more details when she appears on the AUK Podcast! Meanwhile, the album can be preordered here.
“Traditions” tracklisting:
Prelude
Traditions
Mothers Eyes
Chest First
Salt of the Earth
God or the Stars
By the River Ft Paul Kelly
Car Crash
Summer Mountain Moon
Sweet Hurt
Monsters and Magpies
Difficult Woman
