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On September 7, acclaimed singer-songwriter Dawn Landes will bring her widely praised album The Liberated Woman’s Songbook to the Barbican in London for a live performance of songs from the women’s liberation movement. This special show will feature 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), actress Bridgette Amofah, violinist and composer MaGuire and jazz-influenced singer songwriter (Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio) Sylvie Lewis. With an appeal to bring women’s voices back to the forefront, Landes released her new album, The Liberated Woman’s Songbook in March, 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. WATCH THE VIDEO FOR “HARD IS THE FORTUNE OF ALL WOMANKIND” HERE, LISTEN HERE 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 Liberated Woman’s Songbook 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).
In July 2023, Landes and Kaufman dazzled audiences with a live show of The Liberated Woman’s Songbook at the Newport Folk Festival. Landes has built her reputation as one of music’s best independent singer-songwriters, exploring a wide variety of styles from approachable indie pop and folk to the French-language album Mal Habillée. She has collaborated with Justin Townes Earle, Will Oldham, Norah Jones and more, and has shared the stage with Ray Lamontaigne, Feist, Andrew Bird, Sufjan Stevens, Suzanne Vega and other notable artists. She has numerous film and TV credits to her name as well. Landes is currently based in Chapel Hill, NC. Dawn Landes – The Liberated Woman’s Songbook Track Listing Dawn Landes – Tour Dates For full UK tour dates, see: Tour Dates « Singer-Songwriter Dawn Landes |
