Jill Barber released her third single
"Bigger Than You," off of her upcoming album Metaphora. It premiered
on Grok Nation and was paired with an in-depth interview discussing the power
behind the track.
"Bigger Than You," is Barber's own #MeToo movement
coming to surface after recovering from a toxic relationship. She states in her
interview with Grok Nation, "Although I wrote this tune before the #MeToo
movement began, there was already an undercurrent of empowerment and solidarity
rising in my community of women. I feel like we had all been whispering some
form of “me too” for years before that whisper became a roar."
Last month, Barber released "Mercy," the second
single from her upcoming album. It premiered at Billboard, and was shot by Juno
Award-winning director Christopher Mills, whose work includes videos for Modest
Mouse, Leonard Cohen, and Broken Social Scene. "Mercy" follows the
female empowerment anthem "Girl's Gotta Do," which bowed at #1 on CBC
national radio and Apple Music Canada’s Singer-Songwriter Chart. PopMatters
said, "If the women's movement of the 21st century — whether it's #MeToo
or #TimesUp — needed a hashtag theme song to carry its message, this versatile
vocalist who can handle jazz, pop, blues, folk and rock 'n' roll on any given
night, delivers it with genre-fender-bender style."
A bold entrée into the world of contemporary pop music,
Metaphora reveals a Jill Barber we’ve never heard before. Metaphora showcases
her power and vulnerability as both an artist and a woman. Evolving over the
course of many albums from folk to jazz, R&B and pop, Jill’s success is
defined not by genre, but by her undeniable songwriting chops and distinctive
voice. Metaphora is a continuation of Barber's musical story that confidently
tackles everything from issues of empowerment, sexual politics, the
complications of love, and depression.
Mutual friendships and living on the same street led Jill to
sit down with Ryan Guldemond, the enigmatic lead singer of Mother Mother, for
inspiration and creativity. Ryan's commitment to Jill and unwavering enthusiasm
garnered co-writing credits on four of the nine songs on Metaphora, including
the instantly catchy lead single, “Girl's Gotta Do," a hook-filled and
very timely call to arms that aims to "challenge the patriarchal status
quo, as we usher in a new era of equality," says Barber. "Writing
with Ryan was a big departure for me, and very exciting. He's extremely
creative and not afraid to push my creative boundaries," recalls Barber.
"The sessions became part songwriting and part therapy because I was
writing about things that felt pretty raw; politics, sexism, being a mother. I
started to realize that this was going to be a very different kind of album for
me. I had more that I needed to say and Ryan helped bring that out with his
uncanny knack for melody and song structure."
Metaphora's opening track "The Woman" generates a
sense of anticipation with its pounding bass drum, an urgent heartbeat for what
is next to come from the fearless multi-Juno nominated performer. "It's a
song about how a woman is required to be everything to everyone, but may still
be a mystery to her own self," shares Barber. "She is part of nature,
but also has a nature of her own, ever-changing and elusive." On
"Bigger Than You," Barber explores a personal experience that she
hopes may inspire others to take a stand against tactics like power plays, bullying
and manipulation. "Hooked Your Heart,” “Clumsy Heart,” “Cage Without A
Key," “Love Is,” and “Hold On” round out Metaphora.
On the advice of trusted friends, Jill reached out to
producer Gus Van Go (Whitehorse, Arkells, Terra Lightfoot), who immediately
took on the project and began to craft a complete vision for Metaphora. They
recorded at Van Go's studio in Brooklyn, NY, with creative partner Werner F and
multi-platinum Grammy nominated producers Chris Soper and Jesse Singer,
collectively known as Likeminds, who perform all the drums, piano and analogue
synths on the album. Additional tracks were recorded and produced by Gavin
Brown and Maia Davies at Toronto's Noble Street Studios.
On Metaphora, Jill Barber bursts back onto the stage with a
bold and daring offering of music, confidently executed with the style and
grace of a woman who knows exactly what she's doing.
Jill Barber North American Tour Dates:
6/18 - Winnipeg, MB - Winnipeg Jazz Festival
6/28 - Montreal, QC - Le Gesu
8/4 - Kaslo Bay Park, BC - Kaslo International Jazz
Festival
9/22 - Chicago, IL - Schubas Tavern
9/24 - New York, NY -
Rockwood Music Hall
9/25 - New York, NY - Rockwood Music Hall
9/26 - Boston, MA - Regatta Bar
9/28 - Ottawa, ON - Ottawa National Arts Centre Theatre
9/29 - Knowlton, QC - Theatre Lac-Brome
10/9 - Fredericton, NB - Playhouse Theatre
10/11 - Charlottetown, PEI - Confederation Centre
10/12 - Truro, NS - Marigold Cultural Centre
10/13 - Halifax, NS - Rebecca Cohn Auditorium
10/16 -Toronto, ON - Roy Thompson Hall
10/18 - Gravenhust, ON - Peter's Players
10/19 - London, ON -
Aeolian Hall
10/20 - London, ON -
Aeolian Hall
10/24 - Saskatoon, SK - Broadway Theatre
10/25 - Regina, SK - The Exchange
10/26 - Calgary, AB - Bella Concert Hall
10/27 - Edmonton, AB - Triffo Theatre
11/1 - Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre
11/2 - Campbell River, BC - Tidemark Theatre
11/3 - Victoria, BC -
Capital Ballroom
Metaphora Tracklisting:
The Woman
Girl's Gotta Do
Hooked Your Heart
Bigger Than You
Mercy
Clumsy Heart
Cage Without A Key
Love Is
Hold On
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