To Perform At The UK Americana Awards Show On 1 Feb,
at Hackney Empire Alongside Rock Legend Robert Plant
Performs New Single ‘Call Me’ Feat. Jack Savoretti
On Chris Evans Show, Out Now On Decca Records
Irish superstar Imelda May kicks off
2018 with a performance at the UK Americana Awards Show 2018, where she will
perform live, alongside acts including Robert Plant, Marcus
Mumford and Courtney Marie Andrews.
Imelda was nominated for International Artist of the
Year with the winner announced during the ceremony, held at
Hackney Empire on Thursday 1 February, tickets available here. The third UK Americana Awards
show, celebrates the achievements of British and International members of the
Americana music community, hosted by the legendary broadcaster Bob Harris OBE.
The ceremony will see Robert Plant honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award
alongside The Wandering Hearts who Bob Harris selected to win the emerging
artist award this year and will spotlight incredible emerging British and
International talent including breakthrough UK acts Yola Carter and William The
Conqueror both nominated for awards this year – for more information and full
nominations please visit: https://theamauk.org/awards
Imelda May stated, “I am honoured to be nominated for International Artist
Of The Year and to be asked to perform at the UK Americana Awards show – the
influence of American roots music is as strong as ever and its great to see
incredible new British talent such as country soul star Yola Carter who is
nominated this year alongside legends such as the amazing Robert Plant. It’s
going to be a great night.
The brilliant new single is out now on Decca Records. Imelda also
released an accompanying music video:
Produced by Cam Blackwood at ICP Studios in Brussels, ‘Call Me’ is
a brand new recording of a track taken from Imelda’s breakthrough album ‘Life.
Love. Flesh. Blood’, which is one of the Top 5 best-selling British Female
Albums of 2017.
“I wrote ‘Call Me’ about the horrible time when you are willing the phone
to ring, begging for the name to pop up, and it doesn’t,”says
Imelda of the song. “I’ve always though it could work as a
duet, and I think Jack totally nails his vocal. There’s so much longing in his
voice, and there’s a truth to it too.”
Jack Savoretti says, “Recording this duet with Imelda
and Cam was one of the best experiences I have ever had in a recording studio.
The song is amazing and I am proud to be part of this.”
Imelda May: Live at MAIDA VALE | Photo
Credit: Max Dodson
“May has made the album of her life” Daily Telegraph
Irish superstar singer and songwriterImelda Mayhas announced details of her new
single‘Girl I Used To
Be’, released 30thJune
on Decca Records. The track is taken from her Top 5 new album ‘Life. Love.
Flesh. Blood’ and follows the BBC Radio 2 playlisted previous singles ‘Call
Me’, ‘Black Tears’ and ‘Should’ve Been You’.
A hauntingly beautiful acoustic ballad, ‘Girl I Used To Be’ (listen onSpotify) is a
memoir of Imelda’s life growing up in the Liberties area of Dublin, and the
lessons learned she will pass on to her daughter.
“I love those old story songs where you’re taken on a journey from
beginning to end,”says Imelda
of the track.“Songs you’re
riveted with. Like when you’re in the car and you sit in the driveway, because
you can’t turn the radio off, you have to listen to the end of the story. I
thought, ‘I’d like to write one of them’. The lyrics are about my family, and
my daughter, and myself and my life growing up in Dublin. We didn’t have much
money but my parents are fabulous, creative and open-minded people. They gave
me art and literature and encouraged me to do whatever was in my heart and I
want to do that with my daughter.”
Last night Imelda played her third and final sold-out show at Dublin’s Bord
Gais Energy Theatre as part of her headline UK tour, which also included a
triumphant show at London Palladium (“May’s wild side was worth the wait,
though her mature reinvention was the evening’s real triumph” said Evening
Standard in their 4 star review). Imelda has promoted the new album with
performances on BBC1’sThe
One ShowandThe Graham Norton Show,
and an appearance on Chris Evans BBC Radio 2 show, where she performed a
brilliant cover of U2’s ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I Was Looking For’. She
also recently joined TheGuardian
for a webchat
Produced by the legendaryT
Bone Burnett, ‘Life. Love. Flesh. Blood’ was recorded over seven days
in Los Angeles and features musical contributions fromJeff Beck(on ‘Black Tears’),Jools Holland(on ‘When It’s My Time’) and an
accomplished group of backing musicians including the core trio of guitarist
Marc Ribot (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello), drummer Jay Bellerose (Robert Plant and
Alison Krauss) and bassist Zach Dawes (The Last Shadow Puppets, Mini Mansions).
Imelda Mayhas
become one of Ireland’s most celebrated female artists. Discovered by Jools
Holland, who asked Imelda to support him on tour, Imelda has gone on to perform
alongside legendary artists including Lou Reed, Bono and Smokey Robinson and
can count high profile artists includingBob
Dylan(who recently
revealed he is a fan of Imelda in a rare interview with Bill Flanagan) and Bono
amongst her fans.
Imelda heads to the US and Canada this month, including three dates as support
forElvis Costello– full dates below
Tue 20 - Richmond, Va - Richmond Raceway Complex*
Wed 21 - Charlotte, Nc - Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre*
Thu 22 - Vienna, Va - Filene Center
At Wolf*
Sat 24 - Boston, Ma - Paradise Rock Club
Sun 25 - Philadelphia, Pa - Union
Transfer
Tue 27 - New York, Ny - Webster Hall
Wed 28 - Toronto, On - Danforth Music Hall
Fri 30 - Chicago, Il - Park West
IMELDA MAY TOPS UK AMERICANA CHART AND NO. 5 IN UK ALBUM CHART WITH CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED NEW ALBUM ‘LIFE. LOVE. FLESH. BLOOD’
UK TOUR IN MAY & JUNE INCLUDING NIGHT AT LONDON PALLADIUM
OUT NOW!
“May has
made the album of her life” - Daily
Telegraph
Irish
superstar singer and songwriter Imelda
May topped the UK Americana chart (Friday
April 28, 2017) with her highly praised new album - ‘Life. Love. Flesh. Blood’ and landed No.5(16,800
sales) in the Official UK
album chart (her second UK top 5), ahead of artists including Texas and
Drake with her strongest first sales week ever in the UK, and the album
has debuted at No.2 in her native Ireland.
Howard Mills of the Americana
Music Association UK stated, “Imelda May has become a firm favourite with
the Americana community in the UK, adding a touch of glamour as a presenter at
our Awards show this year. We are over the moon to see her fabulous new album
hit the top spot on the Official Americana Albums chart.”
Imelda
has had a jam-packed week of promotion around her new record, including
appearing live this morning on Chris
Evans BBC Radio 2 show where she performed a brilliant cover of U2’s ‘I
Still Haven’t Found What I Was Looking For’. Listen again here. and HERE
Earlier
this week, Imelda joined the Guardian for a webchat where she discussed a range of
topics and questions sent in by fans including what is like to learn Bob Dylan
is a fan of your music, followed by a rammed HMV in-store on Oxford Street,
where she performed an acoustic set of material from her new album ‘Life. Love.
Flesh. Blood’.
Imelda
begins her extensive 2017 UK Headline Tour next week, which will include a
night at The London Palladium on 18 May. A string of shows in the US and Canada
in June follows, including three dates as support for Elvis Costello.
‘Life.
Love. Flesh. Blood’ is one of the most critically acclaimed albums of this
year. Praised by publications including Q, Uncut and Mojo (“A powerful new
direction”), The Sun, The Mirror to the Mail On Sunday (who made it Album Of
The Week, gave it four stars and stated: “Great albums tend to be growers, but
this one grabs you at first acquaintance”). Support also comes from The
Guardian, The Daily Telegraph (comparing it to Bob Dylan’s classic album ‘Blood
On The Tracks’) alongside support from US industry publications Rolling Stone
and Billboard Magazine as well as UK tastemaker music publications from The Arts
Desk to The Four Oh Five.
“This is
the unmistakeable sound of an artist finally, thrillingly, finding her own
voice” **** Evening Standard
“11
strong songs which ache, break, and twang as craftily as they do sincerely” ****
Q
“This is
a triumphant rebirth” **** Daily Mirror
“It’s a
hugely effective, beautifully crafted reboot that should open up new audiences
and point to future triumphs” **** The
Sun
“An album
that wears its heart on its sleeve” **** Daily
Mail
Related
BLOG POSTS / Album Details/ UK Tour Dates:
Imelda joins everyday superwomen on political March
through Brixton
Inspired by Women’s March and in reaction to Trump administration
“I wanted to ask the question 'who takes care of us? We are 50% of the
world and it’s the people in power’s responsibility to take care of women
as well” Imelda May
Imelda May (C): Event Women's March | Photo Credit Eddie Otchere
Tuesday 4 April,
London– Irish superstarImelda
Mayhas today released a
powerful music video for her new single, ‘Should've Been You’. Inspired by the
recent Women’s March, Imelda herself created the concept for the video, which
was filmed in Brixton, London, by directorLaura
Scrivano. Shot in one continuous take, the video sees Imelda and a
group of everyday 'superwomen' – real Imelda May fans who responded to a
Facebook post – march through Brixton Market holding placards with messages of
solidarity and empowerment. It follows Imelda’s appearance at the Brit Awards
wearing her#dresslikeawomanoutfit.
Imelda reveals,“I wroteShould've Been Youas a personal story of
heartbreak, regret and eventual empowerment but when making this video I wanted
it to reflect current feelings of solidarity amongst lots of women worldwide in
response to events unfolding around us such as the Trump administration’s
approach to affordable health and maternity issues. I wanted to ask the
question 'who takes care of us? We are 50% of the world andit’s the people in power’s
responsibility to take care of women as well. It still seems like it’s a man’s
world and in 2017 that’s shocking.And I have a young daughter, which changes
your perception of how you want things to be. You want to leave her a better
world, you think ahead that way.”
Imelda continues,“The women
in the video, who were predominately made up of my fans, represent a cross
section of wonderful everyday women – superwomen from all walks of life. They
are not victims or aggressive towards men but are powerful and positive
representations of the female spirit and solidarity. I am very proud of it. We
worked hard, had fun, had many laughs and all before most ran off to do the
school run! They all made me feel proud to be a woman!”
The track is taken from her hotly anticipated forthcoming fifth studio
record, ‘Life.
Love. Flesh. Blood’-
produced by the legendaryT
Bone Burnettand
featuring musical contributions from guitar heroJeff Beck(on ‘Black Tears’) and piano legendJools Holland –it is fast becoming one of the
most anticipated albums of this year. Praised by publications including Mojo (“A
powerful new direction”)Uncut,The Mirror(who described her new music as“Raw and real”) to theMail On Sunday(who made it Album Of The Week, gave
it four stars and stated:"Great
albums tend to be growers, but this one grabs you at first acquaintance"),The Daily Telegraph(comparing it to Bob Dylan’s classic
album ‘Blood On The Tracks’) alongside support from US industry publicationBillboard Magazineas well as UK tastemaker music
publications fromFoxes
MagazinetoThe Four Oh Five.
Bob Dylanalso
recently revealed he is a fan of Imelda, including her alongsideIggy PopandValerie
Juneas his favourite
recent artists, in a rare interview withBill
Flanagan, published on hiswebsite.
Imelda May, born and raised in The Liberties area of Dublin, has become one of
Ireland’s most celebrated female artists in history. Discovered by Jools
Holland, who asked Imelda to support him on tour, Imelda has gone on to perform
alongside legendary artists includingLou
Reed, Bono and Smokey Robinsonand
can count high profile artists including Bob Dylan and Bono amongst her fans.
Her previous album ‘Tribal’ debuted at #1 in Ireland and #3 in the UK.
Imelda has also announced her extensive2017
UK Headline Tourin
May, including a night at The London Palladium. A string of shows in the U.S.
and Canada in June follows, including three dates as support for Elvis Costello.
Imelda May premieres Black Tears video, shot live
on
location at historic Maida Vale studios
On Tuesday Feb 7, 2017 Imelda May premiered her live video performance of new single ‘Black
Tears’ via UK tastemaker music publication The Four Oh Five.
The atmospheric black and white video shot on
location in the iconic Maida Vale Studios
showcases Imelda at her vocal best on the personal and heart-wrenching ballad.
Black Tears is the second single from her forthcoming fifth studio record,
entitled ‘LIFE. LOVE. FLESH. BLOOD’,
to be released on Decca Records on 7th April.
Chatting exclusive to the Four Oh Five Imelda said
of the video:
"I was asked to perform an intimate showcase
of some of my new material for record company, publishers, media and a few
friends. They knew my sound had changed but hadn't really heard anything. I
wanted it to be a relaxed evening and not 'showy' in any way. Almost like
inviting them to a rehearsal with my now larger band. I've recorded in Maida
Vale a few times and always loved the atmosphere, the history in the walls and
the almost industrial look of it. A working studio. I asked for simple
lighting, good sound and not much else. I was a little nervous with the
thoughts of it but as soon as myself and the band started I was immersed in the
music and reliving every moment that I wrote about. I was very proud to have my
friend and producer of my album TBone Burnett come to introduce me but most
importantly give his moral support and occasional whoops and hollers from the
audience. Love him! It was a very liberating and special night for me. This is
my new song and one of the moments recorded live from that night. This is
'Black Tears.' "
New album LIFE. LOVE. FLESH. BLOOD Released on DECCA
on 7th April
"She has poured her heart and soul into her
new album" - Evening Standard
“I love the girl she used to be but I think I love
even more the woman she’s become. Still mischievous and playful, still a siren,
but there’s an ache in her voice now that has me with a glass at my ear to the
wall of her world where trouble has entered the room. There’s an erotic power
here that’s not just feminine power. She makes truth telling an invitation to
intimacy.” - Bono
“I’ve never met anyone quite like Imelda May. She
is full of life…I was inspired by her honesty and her generosity, and I
continue to be intrigued.” - T Bone
Burnett
1. Call
Me 2. Black Tears 3. Should've Been You
4. Sixth Sense 5. Human 6. How Bad Can a Good Girl Be 7. Bad
Habit 8. Levitate 9. When It's My Time 10. Leave Me Lonely 11. The Girl I Used
To Be
12. The
Longing 13. Flesh And Blood 14. Game Changer 15. Love And Fear
“Imelda
May has found a new groove, exploring blues, soul, gospel, folk, rock,
acoustic, cinematic drama and explosive balladry. She is setting a new course
with a collection of the boldest, most personal and intimately autobiographical
songs she has ever written. This is the albums she’s always wanted to make.
“I’ve called it Life Love Flesh Blood because that encompasses everything,”
says Imelda. “It’s all in there: birth, sex, love, divorce and death. It’s the
story of my life.”
"She
has poured her heart and soul into her new album" Evening Standard
“I love the girl she used to be but I think I love even more the woman she’s
become. Still mischievous and playful, still a siren, but there’s an ache in
her voice now that has me with a glass at my ear to the wall of her world where
trouble has entered the room. There’s an erotic power here that’s not just
feminine power. She makes truth telling an invitation to intimacy.” Bono
“I’ve never met anyone quite like Imelda May. She is full of life…I was
inspired by her honesty and her generosity, and I continue to be
intrigued.” T Bone Burnett
Imelda May reveals her stunning new
album cover as she officially announces her fifth studio record, entitled ‘Life. Love. Flesh. Blood’, to be
released on Decca Records on 7th April,
2017.
1. Call
Me 2. Black Tears 3. Should've Been You
4. Sixth Sense 5. Human 6. How Bad Can a Good Girl Be 7. Bad
Habit 8. Levitate 9. When It's My Time 10. Leave Me Lonely 11. The Girl I Used
To Be
12. The
Longing 13. Flesh And Blood 14. Game Changer 15. Love And Fear
It is
clear that one of Ireland’s biggest exports has found a new groove, here
presenting the most personal and intimately autobiographical album she has ever
written. The album is produced by the legendary T Bone Burnett, who said of
Imelda:
Imelda May: Press/ Publicity Photo
“When I
first happened onto her music, she was a punky Irish Rockabilly singer with a
great band. When I ran across her several years later, she had gone through a
change of lives and was writing about it with a wild intensity and singing
about it in the most open hearted way” – T
Bone Burnett
Recorded over seven days in Los Angeles, the album features musical
contributions from guitar hero Jeff Beck
(on ‘Black Tears’), piano legend
Jools Holland (on ‘When It’s My Time’) and an accomplished group of backing
musicians including the core trio of guitarist Marc Ribot (Tom Waits, Elvis
Costello), drummer Jay Bellerose (Elton John & Leon Russell, Ray
Lamontagne) and bassist Zach Dawes (The Last Shadow Puppets, Mini
Mansions), the same band that recorded Robert Plant and Alison Krauss’
Raising Sand.
The album marks a new direction for May who, in the time since her 2014 release
Tribal, ended her marriage of eighteen years. Imelda May’s new sound sits
firmly outside of any sharply defined genre box, widely spanning blues, rock,
soul, gospel and jazz. 'Life, Love,
Flesh, Blood' breathes new life into a classic sound, with Imelda’s
powerhouse vocal as distinctive as ever, cementing her position as one of the
strongest vocalists of her generation. The singer herself describes the record
as her most "honest" yet. Imelda’s life changed considerably in the
run up to recording, and this is documented in the only way she knew how. “It's
therapy, like keeping a diary that a lot of people read. Some of my favorite
songs don’t say much, but they reveal everything.” Imelda explains.
Single ‘Black Tears’, premiering Fri 27 January, is one such example. A
personal and heart-wrenching ballad, it features a distinctive slide guitar
part, coupled with a unique picking and guitar tone that could be the handiwork
of only one man – the legendary Jeff Beck. Jeff Beck says of Imelda,
“I knew it from the start ...you cannot ignore talent this unique” – Jeff Beck
Imelda showcases her raw yet restrained breathtaking lead vocal, complimented
by rich backing vocals and a super tight rhythm section. Written with Angelo
Petragalia (Kings of Leon), the inspiration for the song’s visual and poignant
lyrics were inspired by a very personal moment for Imelda:
“I wrote Black Tears with Angelo Petraglia after a heart wrenchingly difficult
goodbye. I closed my door and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror with
black tears rolling down my face. It's a sight and situation most women have
unfortunately seen ourselves in at some point in life. Angelo had a beautiful
guitar piece that fit the mood perfectly.”
Life
Love Flesh Blood Album Trailer:
Imelda saw 2017 in with this very track, as she impressed viewers of Jools Holland’s esteemed annual
Hootenanny on New Year’s Eve with a captivating live performance, which landed
hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube in just days of its upload and was
the most popular hootenanny video this year on BBC Music’s YouTube channel.
Imelda May, born and raised in The Liberties area of Dublin, has become one of
Ireland’s most celebrated female artists in history. Discovered by Jools
Holland, who asked Imelda to support him on tour, Imelda has gone on to perform
alongside legendary artists including Lou Reed, Bono and Smokey Robinson. Her
previous album ‘Tribal’ debuted at #1 in Ireland and #3 in the UK.
Imelda has also just announced her extensive 2017 UK Headline Tour in May, including a night at The London Palladium.
MAY 2017
Thu 4th May 2017 - Regent Theatre (Ipswich; 3 St Helen's Street, IP4 1HE)
Fri 5th
May 2017 - St David's Hall (Cardiff;
The Hayes, CF10 1AH)
Sat 6th
May 2017 - The Corn Exchange (Cambridge;
Wheeler Street, CB2 3QB,
Mon 8th
May 2017 - Cliffs Pavilion (Southend-On-Sea;
Station Road, SS0 7RA)
Tue 9th
May 2017 - G-Live (Guildford; London
Road GU1 2AA)
Thu 11th
May 2017 - The Hexagon (Reading;
Queens Walk, RG1 7UA)
