London-based multi-disciplinary artist Clara Mann shares new double side A single ‘500 Miles’ alongside ‘My Life’. Both tracks are from the extended edition of Mann’s debut album, Rift – out digitally 22 October and available for pre-order on a limited edition vinyl. The extended edition includes two new covers and two French-language renditions of standout tracks from the original album.
‘500 Miles’ is a reimagining of the traditional song based on Hedy West’s version, featuring fiddle player Owen Spafford.
“It is rare, in my line of songwriting, that you get to have fun on stage. I often feel excited, or energised, or lifted by the music- as often as I feel heavy or moved- but when I first played this folk tune through with my friend Owen Spafford, we did, in fact, have fun.
Clara Mann
I love the part that Owen wrote, the fiddle like a train, on this version of the American tune (which I first came across as sung by Hedy West), and the way we shaped the song together around my vocal and guitar part. I feel, always, lucky to play with Owen: the friendship and music that we share are forces of light in my life.
I have always felt careful around folk music – I do not have roots in any particular community around trad, did not grow up around session culture. There are spaces in which I do not want to take up space that should be occupied by other, more experienced, more authentic musicians.
It’s light and wistful and I like it because it’s a moment in the live set in which I don’t have to excavate my own big heavy feelings, or go digging – it’s just singing for singing’s sake, singing to be together, singing for joy.”
‘My Life’ is a cover of the Iris DeMent ballad, also featuring Spafford.
“My mum and I had an Iris Dement CD in the car when I was little, and this was the final track on it. I have always loved it.
Clara Mann
The first time I performed it live, a friend came up to me and said “It breaks my heart, hearing you sing those words”- I know what she meant, I guess this song is really about looking back on life rather than being, as I am, still quite near the beginning of it. Up until that moment, though, I hadn’t thought of it as sad. I think I associate it with the “mother and daughter” moments of my life, like being in the car together, or her sitting on the end of my bed when I’m back home and we’re chatting, catching up – in a sense, the song sits between me and my ma’s chapters in life, between our ages. She could sing it, and so can I, and we both understand it from different angles.”
Tour dates:
07.10 – Leeds, England, The Attic
08.10 – Glasgow, Scotland – Hug and Pint
12.10 – Dublin, Eire – Bellobar
17.10 – Cardiff, Cymru – Sŵn Festival
21.10 – Paris, France – Chair De Poule
22.10 – Brussels, Belgique – Botanique
24.10 – Rotterdam, Nederland – Left of the Dial Festival
25.10 – Rotterdam, Nederland – Left of the Dial Festival
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