Our new playlist of the best new Americana we’ve heard over the last month is out later today exclusively for AUK supporters which includes new tracks by Nada Surf, Sturgill Simpson, Beachwood Sparks, My Girl the River and Bonny Light Horseman among others – basically we trawl through the best Americana we’ve heard recently so you don’t have to. Our giveaway this month for supporters is a pair of tickets to see acclaimed singer-songwriter Dawn Landes who will bring her widely praised album “The Liberated Woman’s Songbook” to the Barbican in September for a live performance of songs from the women’s liberation movement. This special show will feature an array of esteemed guests including folk legend Peggy Seeger, US indie-rock songwriter, guitarist and flautist from North Carolina Skylar Gudasz, folk singer and organiser of The Songs of Joni Mitchell at the Roundhouse Lail Arad, Roots/R&B singer (Rudimental, Jools Holland) and actress Bridgette Amofah, plus Maguire and Sylvie Lewis.
With an appeal to bring women’s voices back to the forefront, Landes released the album during Women’s History Month. The record reimagines music from the women’s liberation movement, with songs featured in “The Liberated Woman’s Songbook”, originally published in 1971. Landes, along with producer Josh Kaufman (Bonny Light Horseman, Bob Weir, Cassandra Jenkins), highlights 11 musical stories from the canon of women’s activism from 1830 to 1970. These tales could not be more prescient; women have been fighting for their voices to be heard for centuries, and these messages are just as timely today as they were then.
The project began while Landes was grounded at home during the pandemic and picked up the intriguing book at a thrift shop. Then in 2022, with the overturn of Roe v. Wade rolling back women’s autonomy by 50 years, Landes turned to the songbook for inspiration. “We’re suddenly back in 1971 all over again,” said Landes, “I know we’re in for a long fight and it helps to find solidarity where you can.” Josh Kaufman added, “Working with my old friend, Dawn Landes, on this collection of tunes was a real creative and collaborative gift. Many of these songs were already powerful in message but musically were never meant to travel beyond the picket line. I hope our work helps to amplify their message of freedom and equity anew.”
The album was recorded in Upstate New York at Little Pink and at The Garage in Chapel Hill, NC with Landes leading on vocals, guitar and organ and Kaufman steering guitars, keys, drums, bass, mandolin and percussion. Landes enlisted an array of powerful voices to accentuate the vital messages that run throughout the album, including Emily Frantz of Watchhouse, Kanene Pipkin of The Lone Bellow, Rissi Palmer, Charly Lowry, Annie Nero and Lizzy Ross (Violet Bell).
For more details on the Barbican show and for the full UK tour dates, head to Landes’ official website here.
You can become an AUK supporter for as little as £2 a month for which princely sum you will receive a monthly exclusive supporters playlist along with being entered into our monthly prize draw.
