Alice DiMicele’s real gift is her voice, which is genuinely characterful and distinctive with a hint of grit. It’s the highlight of her new song ‘Free’ on which she also displays excellent range as her vocal rises, falls and flows with the engaging melody. The song is underpinned by a tuneful strum and gently driving rhythm, thanks to percussion from Artie Watson and Rob Kohler’s bass. Added texture comes from Skip Edwards on the B3 and piano and Mikey Stevens’ electric guitar. It’s a song of positivity and hope, things that are in short supply in today’s world, making ‘Free’ even more refreshing and welcome. The mood is enhanced by a video shot in such beautiful, natural locations.
DiMicele says of the song and video: “Free is a love song that expresses being secure and happy in a relationship. Sharing life but also remaining independent. I’m grateful to be in a relationship that I feel free to fully be myself. The video was filmed by my husband Jeff Burlingham in our favourite stomping grounds, Del Norte County in far Northern California. Home of the Tolowa people for thousands of years, this region is full of redwoods, wild rivers (like the Smith River pictured here,) and a beautiful pristine coastline. The Klamath-Siskiyou Bioregion has been my home for 35 years and I’m grateful to explore these beautiful places and am committed to their continued protection.” Also committed to the protection of the region’s wild rivers and forests is KS Wild, a local organisation that encourages you to, “…love where you live.” You can find out more here.
DiMicele describes her approach to making music: “I love solid, moving rhythm, and I do a lot of improvising vocally. I feel completely at home on stage. My job as a musician is to communicate emotion and stir that place inside that feels connected to other souls.” It’s a great mission that has seen her through a three-decade career. The Oregon-based singer-songwriter has been incredibly prolific and ‘Free’ is taken from her sixteenth studio album ‘Every Seed We Plant’. While ‘Free’ is uplifting, it is balanced by other songs on the album that explore more challenging themes, such as grief and loss. The title track was inspired by Agnes Pilgrim Baker, DiMicele’s friend and an elder of Takelma Tribe. She explains: “It was written on the way to Grandma Aggie’s memorial. The song overtook me, flowed out of me like Grandma was there guiding me. I wrote it, played it once, then sang it that day for her family and friends.” Absorb the joy of ‘Free’ and then look out for the new album, due for release on 22nd April 2022. Enjoy.
