I\u2019m from Montreal, Quebec, Canada- but I\u2019ve been based in Nashville for 4 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I work wherever I am. Because of COVID I now work from home. I\u2019m a writer, a musician, a mother. I primarily write (and record) songs and poetry. Essays and op-Ed\u2019s occasionally. I\u2019m working on my first book. I have primarily been a collaborative musician – I\u2019m a founding member of Po\u2019Girl, Birds of Chicago, Our Native Daughters<\/a>, Capitol Sun Rays – but this year I\u2019ll be releasing my debut solo album with Fantasy Records. I\u2019ve been getting more involved in the music industry in Nashville – I\u2019m currently sitting on the Board of Directors for the Americana Music Association, and helping to launch a Diversity, Inclusion & Equity initiative there. I\u2019ve been amateur gardening since the pandemic – my 7 year old daughter eats greens now because she grew them herself! We feed all the birds in the neighbourhood too. Red Wing Blackbirds don\u2019t play – they\u2019ve even got the cardinals cowering…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just now – Mulatu Astatke – \u00c9thiopiques, Vol. 4<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lido Pimienta – Miss Colombia <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Amythyst Kiah\u2019s latest single Black Myself<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I hear about it from friends and colleagues, often. I go down rabbit holes on YouTube occasionally – Tiny Desk in particular\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Spotify – the various artist\u2019s radio stations that pop up after I\u2019ve listened to an album. Before the pandemic – I would discover new artists and bands at festivals I was playing with one of my groups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I have discovered new music from binge-watching shows with fabulous soundtracks – like Lovecraft Country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vinyl and digital. I love everything about records – I like listening to an album in its entirety – committing to the journey. Playlists and the digital realm are convenient and a good jumping off point to discover treasures that I then purchase on vinyl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I love everything about records – I like listening to an album in its entirety – committing to the journey.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Serious album listening at home in my living room on a second hand stereo – I don\u2019t even know the make\u2026Digitally – often while outside gardening via a Bose portable speaker. During non-pandemic times – a lot of listening in the van or on the bus whilst on tour – usually via iphone and earbuds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I follow NPR, CBC, I love Tom Power\u2019s q show on CBC – I follow music journalists whose writing I enjoy- I keep abreast of Afropunk, Rolling Stone, Exclaim, Pitchfork, No Depression, Paste, Paper Magazine, Billboard etc to varying and intermittent degrees\u2026 I hear about friends and colleagues pre-releases – usually on Instagram or a notification from DSPs like Apple Music and Spotify.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I don\u2019t really spend any time on SoundCloud<\/a> – I just use it to share pre-release music privately. My main frustration with Spotify and the like is that they don\u2019t pay us (the artists) a fair share yet. That is a battle we are fighting currently. I know Bandcamp is leading by example in remunerating artists more fairly\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ha! I don\u2019t. I\u2019m haphazard and inconsistent. I\u2019ve been getting better about making playlists ad saving albums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Certainly – I talk about music that resonates for me to those in my sphere of influence both directly and via my social media platforms. And in interviews of course!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each of my Our Native Daughters sisters ( Rhiannon Giddens, Leyla McCalla and Amythyst Kiah) has a solo album coming out this year – I highly recommend checking them out. Smithsonian Channel is releasing a documentary about the Our Native Daughters\u2019 journey on Feb 22nd. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve been wearing out Brittany Howard\u2019s new album Jaime, Lido Pimienta\u2019s latest record Miss Colombia – I think Dua Saleh is incredible. And I\u2019ve been watching Moses Sumney\u2019s Cut Me video on repeat – which he also directed – brilliant. Yola is a superstar\u2026 The Barr Brothers are an enduring favourite – long time Montreal residents, too. Tanya Tagak\u2019s music and her new book – essential\u2026 I adore Valerie June- she has a new record coming too\u2026 Montreal\u2019s own Kaia Kater is fantastic. I\u2019ve been falling in love with Ivy Sole. I\u2019ve been hoping for a new K\u2019Naan record for years – The Dusty Foot Philosopher is still one of my all time favourite records. Steve Dawson\u2019s Music Makers and Soul Shakers podcast is excellent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I made a Spotify playlist – Good Trouble<\/a><\/em> – recently on my Allison Russell Spotify artist page that features artists that I love – with a strong representation from fellow BIPOC\/ LGBTQIA+ and Allies communities – decolonizing my mind one song at a time!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat are you listening to?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How do you discover new music?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What formats do you usually listen to? LP, CD, Cassette, Digital, Streaming Services? Why?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Where do you do most of your music listening?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How do you find and listen to pre-release music?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What are your frustrations with listening to music digitally? Any benefits?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How do you keep track of everything you are listening to?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Do you tip other people off to new music? How?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Anything you want to \u201cpromote\u201d?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n