Allison Russell

From Justapedia, unleashing the power of collective wisdom
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Allison Russell
Russell in 2021
Russell in 2021
Background information
BornMontreal, Quebec, Canada
Genres
Years active1999–present
LabelsFantasy Records
Websiteallisonrussellmusic.com

Allison Russell is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician and activist.

Prior to her solo music career, Russell performed as a member of various music groups including Po' Girl,[1] Birds of Chicago,[2] Our Native Daughters[3] and Sisters of the Strawberry Moon.[4] She released her first solo album, Outside Child, in 2021.[5] The album was nominated for a 2022 Grammy Award in the Best Americana Album category, and the single "Nightflyer" was nominated for both the Best American Roots Performance (Russell) and Best American Roots Song (Russell and Jeremy Lindsay, co-writers).[6]

In addition to her three Grammy nominations, Russell has been nominated for four Canadian Folk Music Awards, two Juno Awards and has been named to the long list for the Polaris Music Prize.[7][8]

Early life and education

Russell was born in Montreal to a Grenadian student and a Scottish-Canadian teenage single mother.[9][10] Her mother struggled with postpartum depression and schizophrenia, and Russell was initially placed in foster care.[11] Her mother regained custody of her after marrying a white-supremacist American expatriate.[9][10][11] From the ages of 5 to 15, she was physically and sexually abused by her adoptive father.[9][10][11] At the age of 15, Russell ran away from home, eventually moving to Vancouver in 1998.[10][12][13] She attended Dawson College.[14]

Career

Russell was initially a member of the Vancouver-based Celtic folk band Fear of Drinking.[13][15]

In 2003, Russell formed the band Po' Girl with The Be Good Tanyas member Trish Klein.[16][15] She recorded seven albums with the band: Po' Girl (2003), Vagabond Lullabies (2004), B-side Recordings (2006), Home to You (2007), Deer in the Night (2008), Live(2009), and Follow Your Bliss (2010).[17][18] Russell formed the music group Birds of Chicago with JT Nero in 2012.[19] As part of Birds of Chicago, Russell released three studio albums, Birds of Chicago (2012),[20] Real Midnight (2016)[2] and Love in Wartime (2018).[21] With the group, she also released a live album, Live from Space,[22] and an EP titled American Flowers in 2018.[19] In 2018, Russell joined the musical collective Our Native Daughters alongside fellow musicians Rhiannon Giddens, Leyla McCalla, and Amythyst Kiah.[3][23][24] In 2019, the group released the album Songs of Our Native Daughters under the Smithsonian Folkways label.[10][25] Russell was also featured alongside the rest of the group in a Smithsonian Channel documentary titled Reclaiming History: Our Native Daughters.[26][27] As a single, Russell released covers of the songs "By Your Side" by Sade and "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac in January 2021.[28] She also released a cover of "Everything I Wanted" by Billie Eilish as a single in February 2021.[29]

Russell performing with Po' Girl in 2009.

In March 2021, Russell released "Nightflyer" as the first single from her album Outside Child.[30] She followed this up with the single "Persephone," released in April of the same year.[31] She also released the singles "Montreal"[32] and "The Runner"[33] ahead of the album's full release.

On May 21, 2021, Russell released her first solo album Outside Child under Fantasy Records. The album explores her experiences during her youth, including her recovery from the trauma of her childhood abuse.[5][10][34][33] For her work on the album, Russell was nominated for multiple awards, including four Canadian Folk Music Awards,[8] the long list for the Polaris Music Prize,[7] and a nomination for Emerging Act of the Year at the 2021 Americana Honors & Awards. She was nominated for this award both as a solo artist and in the duo/group category as a member of Our Native Daughters.[35]

Russell performed her song "Nightflyer" with guests Brandi Carlile and Brittney Spencer on an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! aired on May 25, 2021.[36][37][38][39] On May 28, 2021, Russell made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry.[40] In the same year, she also performed at the Country Music Hall of Fame.[41] She performed several songs from Outside Child live on CBS This Morning Saturday on July 24, 2021.[42][43]

On September 25, 2021, Russell performed at the annual Farm Aid event in Hartford, Connecticut.[44]

In November 2021, Russell received three Grammy nominations (Best American Roots Performance; Best American Roots Song; Best Americana Album).[45] A month later, she was one of several artists to perform with the Black Opry, a revue focused on black artists in country music.[46] On August 18, 2022, she and Brandi Carlile released a re-imagining of "You're Not Alone" which previously appeared on the Songs of Our Native Daughters album.[47]

Personal life

In 2013, Russell married her Birds of Chicago bandmate Jeremy Lindsay (stage name JT Nero).[48][10][49] They were close friends and housemates.[10][50] Russell gave birth to their daughter, Ida, in 2014.[51]

Russell identifies as queer and stated in an interview that "I fall in the middle of the spectrum of orientation. I’ve been in love with women and I’ve been in love with men and I’ve been in love with trans people and I’ve been in love with non-binary people. I wound up falling in love and committing to share a life with a man, my husband. One could assume that I’m straight, but I am not and especially in this time of increased polarization and bigotry, it is really important that people understand that nothing is black and white. Nothing is simple and you can’t assume that because I am married to a man and I have a child that I am a straight person. You can’t say homophobic things to me and have it pass. Part of me wanted to really acknowledge that publicly". She stated that "Persephone", a song from her debut album, was written about her first love, a woman she met during her teenage years.[52]

Discography

Albums

Title Released Label Peak Chart Position (US)
Outside Child May 21, 2021 Fantasy Records 65[53]

Singles

Year Single Album
2021 "By Your Side/Landslide" Non-album single[28]
"Everything I Wanted" Non-album single[29]
"Nightflyer" Outside Child[30]
"Persephone" Outside Child[31]
"Montreal" Outside Child[32]
"The Runner" Outside Child[33]
2022 "You're Not Alone" with Brandi Carlile TBA

Band

  • Allison Russell - vocals, guitar, banjo, clarinet
  • Larissa Maestro - cello, backing vocals
  • Sista Strings (Monique and Chauntee Ross) - cello and violin, backing vocals
  • Joy Clark - acoustic guitar, backing vocals
  • Mandy Fer - electric guitar, backing vocals
  • Megan Coleman/Elizabeth Goodfellow - drums

Awards and nominations

Year Association Award Nominated work Result Ref.
2021 Polaris Music Prize Outside Child Nominated [54]
Americana Music Honors & Awards Emerging Artist of the Year Herself Nominated [55]
Duo/Group of the Year Our Native Daughters Nominated
2022 Grammy Awards Best Americana Album Outside Child Nominated [56]
Best American Roots Song "Nightflyer" Nominated
Best American Roots Performance Nominated
UK Americana Music Awards International Artist of the Year Herself Won [57]
International Album of the Year Outside Child Won
Canadian Folk Music Awards Contemporary Album of the Year Won [58]
English Songwriter of the Year Herself Won
New/Emerging Artist of the Year Won
Pushing the Boundaries Award Nominated
Juno Awards Songwriter of the Year Nominated [59]
Contemporary Roots Album of the Year Outside Child Won
Folk Alliance Awards Album of the Year Won [60]
Artist of the Year Herself Won
Americana Music Honors & Awards Nominated [61][62]
Song of the Year "Persephone" Nominated
Album of the Year Outside Child Won

References

  1. ^ "Po' Girl". Salt Lake City Weekly. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  2. ^ a b Hight, Jewly (2016-02-10). "Review: Birds Of Chicago, 'Real Midnight'". NPR. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  3. ^ a b Weber, Charlie. "Why These Four Banjo-Playing Women Resurrected the Songs of the Enslaved". smithsonianmag.com. Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  4. ^ "Allison Russell - Full Performance (Live on KEXP)". KEXP.
  5. ^ a b Willman, Chris (2021-06-04). "Allison Russell's Beautiful, Harrowing Outside Child Is a Musical Memoir Nonpareil: Album Review". Variety. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  6. ^ Hudak, Joseph (23 November 2021). "Chris Stapleton, Mickey Guyton Lead 2022 Country Grammy Nominees". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Polaris Music has released its "Long List"—the 40 musical artists who are considered for the 2021 Polaris Music Prize". The Georgia Straight. 2021-06-15. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  8. ^ a b "Canadian Folk Music Awards Announce 2022 Nominees | Exclaim!". exclaim.ca. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  9. ^ a b c Hight, Jewly (2021-05-26). "Singer Allison Russell Shares Personal Saga Of Trauma And Triumph On Outside Child". NPR.org. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h Pareles, Jon (2021-05-13). "Allison Russell Faces Her Past in Song". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  11. ^ a b c Kelly, Brendan (2021-06-10). "Montreal-born singer Allison Russell's music is all about resilience". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  12. ^ Bernstein, Jonathan (2021-03-19). "How Allison Russell Broke Free of Her Painful Past". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  13. ^ a b Readman, Tim (2021-05-17). "'This is my path': Allison Russell on trauma, self-love and healing through music". Roots Music Canada. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  14. ^ "Babe #320: Allison Russell". Babes Who Hustle. n.d. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  15. ^ a b Thornton, Stuart. "Po' Girl brings the road tunes". Monterey County Weekly. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  16. ^ "Po' Girl". Times-Standard. 2009-11-12. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  17. ^ "Po' Girl Albums and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  18. ^ "Po' Girl – Follow Your Bliss". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  19. ^ a b "Birds Of Chicago On Mountain Stage". NPR.org. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  20. ^ "Birds of Chicago". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  21. ^ "StackPath". www.folkradio.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  22. ^ "Birds of Chicago 'Live From Space' - Self-Release". Lonesome Highway. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  23. ^ Bernstein, Jonathan (2021-02-08). "Our Native Daughters Documentary to Get TV Premiere". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  24. ^ "5 things to know about Outside Child by Allison Russell". vancouversun. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  25. ^ "Our Native Daughters: Songs of Our Native Daughters review – devastating beauty from banjo supergroup". The Guardian. 2019-02-21. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  26. ^ "Our Native Daughters bring Black women's voices, music to forefront in documentary". Chicago Sun-Times. Associated Press. 2021-02-20. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  27. ^ Hall, Kristin M. "Giddens, 'Our Native Daughters,' highlight the struggle of Black women in music". Greensboro News and Record. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  28. ^ a b Bernstein, Jonathan (2021-01-29). "Allison Russell Drops Mesmerizing Covers of Fleetwood Mac and Sade". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  29. ^ a b "Allison Russell Makes Billie Eilish's 'Everything I Wanted' Even Spookier: Listen". Billboard. 2021-02-26.
  30. ^ a b "Birds of Chicago's Allison Russell Announces Debut Solo Album Outside Child | Exclaim!". exclaim.ca. 2021-03-19. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  31. ^ a b "StackPath". www.folkradio.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  32. ^ a b Liptak, Carena. "Listen: Allison Russell's 'Montreal' is a Mesmerizing, Bilingual Love Letter to Her Hometown". The Boot. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  33. ^ a b c Sexton, Paul (2021-05-14). "Allison Russell Shares 'The Runner' From Solo Debut Outside Child". uDiscover Music. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  34. ^ "Album Review: Allison Russell, Outside Child". Folk Alley. 2021-05-25. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  35. ^ Willman, Chris (2021-05-26). "Jason Isbell, Allison Russell, Brandi Carlile Among Nominees for Americana Honors & Awards". Variety. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  36. ^ Bernstein, Jonathan (2021-05-26). "Allison Russell Sings 'Nightflyer' With Brittney Spencer, Brandi Carlile on 'Kimmel'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  37. ^ Collins, Robyn. "Watch: Allison Russell Enlists Brandi Carlile, Brittney Spencer for Stunning 'Nightflyer' Performance on 'Jimmy Kimmel'". The Boot. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  38. ^ Dowling, Marcus K. (2021-05-26). "Brittney Spencer Joins Brandi Carlile for Allison Russell's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' Performance". CMT News. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  39. ^ "Allison Russell Excavates the Pains of Her Past on Debut Outside Child". American Songwriter. 2021-05-21. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  40. ^ Dowling, Marcus K. (2021-06-21). "Allison Russell's a Proud, Black, and Queer Outside Child '[Saving] The World'". CMT News. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  41. ^ "Allison Russell • Live at the Hall, 2021 - Allison Russell". The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  42. ^ Belmore, Ryan (2021-07-24). "Allison Russell performs on CBS This Morning this Saturday, curates headlining set on Sunday at Newport Folk". What's Up Newp. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  43. ^ "Saturday Sessions: Allison Russell performs "The Runner"". CBS News. 2021-07-24.
  44. ^ "14 Things That Changed (or Didn't) at Farm Aid 2021". Billboard. 26 September 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  45. ^ "2022 Grammys Awards Show: Complete Nominations List". Grammy. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
  46. ^ Emily Yahr (February 15, 2022). "The Black Opry wants to bring diversity to country music". Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  47. ^ "Allison Russell Recruits Brandi Carlile to Reimagine "You're Not Alone"". 17 August 2022.
  48. ^ "Jeremy Lindsay". discogs. discogs. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  49. ^ Dickinson, By Chrissie. "Birds of Chicago a family thing, on and off stage". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  50. ^ Hight, Jewly (2021-01-20). "Roots Music Roomies Allison Russell And Yola Worked To Get Somewhere In A Year of Staying Put". WNXP. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  51. ^ "Birds of Chicago a family thing, on and off stage". Chicago Tribune.
  52. ^ "Allison Russell Gives a Voice to Queer Folks and Survivors on Solo Debut (Part 1 of 2)". 19 May 2021.
  53. ^ "Allison Russell". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  54. ^ "2021 Long List".
  55. ^ "Americana Awards 2021: A list of winners".
  56. ^ "2022 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Nominations List". Grammys.com. November 23, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  57. ^ "UK Americana Awards 2022 nominations announced". 17 November 2021.
  58. ^ "Canadian Folk Music Awards Announce 2022 Nominees | Exclaim!".
  59. ^ https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/2022-juno-award-nominees-1.6367948[bare URL]
  60. ^ "Allison Russell, Rhiannon Giddens, Arooj Aftab Among Folk Alliance Nominees". 7 April 2022.
  61. ^ "Americana Awards: Brandi Carlile, Allison Russell, Yola lead 2022 nominees". The Tennessean.
  62. ^ Freeman, Jon (September 14, 2022). "Billy Strings, Allison Russell Win Top Prizes at 2022 Americana Honors & Awards". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 15, 2022.


External links

Retrieved from "https://justapedia.org/index.php?title=Allison_Russell&oldid=1118910806"