Alice has also won over a whole brace of producers – lending her strong, emotional tones to releases by Mr Scruff, Quantic and Nostalgia 77, the latter pairing producing the “Seven Nation Army” cover that demolished clubs for years. But following her first release “Under The Munka Moon” it’s her records with longtime producer and bandleader TM Juke that she’s best known for. From their debut album “My Favourite Letters” through to 2008′s live-tinged “Pot Of Gold”, they have made some of the most arresting blues soul since the glory days of Aretha.
“We’ve both got a very open approach to writing songs,” she explains of the prolific relationship. “And we both like so many different types of music whereas some people are more purist. Our influences run from Sarah Vaughan to Bach, Kate Bush to Arvo Part, and J Dilla to Alice Coltrane. We love everything from dirty, squelchy dubstep to old school soul. We nudge each other in the right directions.”
As much as she loves being in the studio there’s something special about Alice let loose on an audience. From performing with a full band and horn section, to pared down and more intimate sets, Alice Rusell takes no prisoners!
"Being on stage is more instant,” she admits. “I like things when they’re quite free. In the studio it can be like when you know someone’s taking your photo. Writing in the studio is amazing but when you’re doing takes it can be a bit daunting, but also really exciting. Live you can’t take it back – you’ve got to go all out there.”
It has led to some great experiences, like when she stayed on in Japan to visit the village where the promoter was from: almost like a 50s teen movie, a deal was struck where Alice would have free reign of the hotel for her stay if she did a gig.
“Of course we said yes,” Alice says with delight. “Babies and grandmas all turned up and there we were with a makeshift sound system thrown together out of amps and speakers. It was one of the most heart warming gigs I’ve ever done.”
Other live highlights include singing with The Roots in Philadelphia, while recording has seen her sing on Talking Heads leader David Byrne’s recent LP. Surely belting out the intensely emotional songs must get a bit tiring. Apparently not.
“It’s a great emotional release,” Alice smiles. “And sometimes makes you feel really high, especially when you’re singing the high notes. If you’re feeling rubbish and everything else feels like it’s going wrong you feel better if you have a good singsong. I’ve sung my way through panic attacks before – singing through the whole of Stevie Wonder’s “Songs In The Key Of Life”. They should put singing on the NHS.”
2012′s joint release with Quantic, “Look Around The Corner” was greeted with much enthusiasm around the world. The sound of this intoxicating record mixes sweet soul and blues with overtones of folk and gospel, and the inimitable swing of Quantic’s world-renowned outfit the Combo Bárbaro, who form the core band. Recorded at Quantic’s Sonido del Valle studio in his adopted home city of Cali, Colombia, the album shows Alice’s versatility and adventurousness as well as her amazing vocals and songwriting. The resulting tour was met with a rapturous reception from sell-out crowds.
So to the next stage of Alice Russell’s remarkable career. Back again with long time production partner TM Juke, there is a brand new album entitled “To Dust” in the can and ready for early 2013 release. First single from the forthcoming album is entitled “Heartbreaker” and sees Alice Russell back to her soulful best. “It is a broken hearted love song about the end of a relationship” explains Alice. “its about that time when your just emotionally exhausted by it all and you are at the stage where you know you just have to let it go and you are resigned to it all being over.” The video to “Heartbreaker” features Hollywood actor Harry Shearer, known for his many acting roles but also as one of the main voices in The Simpsons and for his long running radio show on cult LA station KCRW.
Tracklisting: 01. A to Z // 02. Heartbreaker Pt 2 // 03. For a while // 04. Heartbreaker // 05. I loved You Interlude // 06. Hard and Strong // 07. To Dust // 08. I loved You // 09. Twin Peaks // 10. Heartbreaker
Interlude // 11. Let Go (Breakdown) // 12. Drinking Song Interlude // 13. Citizens // 14. Different (Bonus Track)
The album Alice Russell “To Dust” (Differ-Ant) is going to be released February 22, 2013.
www.alicerussell.com
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