Martha Wainwright heads out on her Autumn UK tour next month following the release of Love Will Be Reborn, her first new album in five years, released via Pheromone Records/Cooking Vinyl. She will play Cardiff’s Tramshed on September 26.
Love Will Be Reborn is her first album since 2016’s Goodnight City, and the first since 2012’s acclaimed Come Home To Mama to feature so much original material. All eleven songs on ‘Love Will Be Reborn’ are written by Martha. She wrote the first song, and what would become the title track, a few years ago in what was a very dark time for her personally.
The title track Love Will Be Reborn hints at the ache of recent years while capturing a sense of optimism for the future. She wraps her wondrous, trademark vocals around the heartbreak to dizzying effect.
“I wrote the song in its entirety within ten or fifteen minutes,” she admits.” I was bawling,”
Recorded in Martha’s Montreal hometown, the album was made in the basement of café Ursa which also served as a studio and at PM Studios. Martha plays guitar and piano and enlisted the help of Toronto musicians Thom Gill (guitars, keys, back-ups) Phil Melanson (drums, percussion) and Josh Cole (bass). Pierre Marchand plays keyboards on Love Will Be Reborn plus two other tracks while Morgan Moore plays bass on several songs.
Martha Wainright Discusses Love Will Be Reborn
Can you tell us a bit about your new album, Love Will Be Reborn?
It’s been a good while since my last album and I’m excited , and a little nervous, to be releasing something. I’m not nervous about the record, more about how it will be to tour and promote. It’s a difficult time for many but the pandemic has made touring and working very complicated. It’s a record that really delves deep into my experiences over the last few years – good and bad.
What was it like to work with producer Pierre Marchand who produced your brother Rufus’ ‘Poses’ album?
He produced Rufus’s as well as my mother and aunt’s ‘Heartbeats Accelerating’. I’ve wanted to make a record with Pierre for many years and it was finally the right time.
Lockdown and Covid has left a huge hole in people’s lives with the lack of live music. How excited are you to get back on the road again and play?
Very. I’ve done some shows in the last couple months and it feels good to be back in front of an audience. It’s hard to know how things will play out though and I’m not sure if this industry will ever be like it was after this.
What’s one of your favourite tour memories from the UK?
There are so many! I did really enjoy talking walks and there are some great ones in the UK. Hadrian’s Wall and some beautiful long walks near Marsden come to mind.
What songs are you looking forward to performing most?
This new record of course. I’ve done a couple shows with the band and we’re just getting warmed up. It feels like a very special set of songs.
Where To See Martha Wainwright on her UK Tour
September
- Mon 20th LONDON, Union Chapel
- Thurs 23rd FROME, Cheese and Grain
- Fri 24th SHEFFIELD, Leadmill
- Sat 25th BRIDPORT, Electric Palace
- Sun 26th CARDIFF, Tramshed
- Tues 28th CAMBRIDGE, Junction
- Weds 29th BIRMINGHAM, Town Hall
- Thurs 30th BEXHILL, De La Warr Pavillion
October
- Fri 1st LIVERPOOL, Philharmonic Hall