ALLISON RUSSELL RELEASES RAINBOWS EP, OUT TODAY

GRAMMY AWARD WINNER, ALLISON RUSSELL, RETURNS WITH THREE SONG EP, RAINBOWS, OUT TODAY VIA FANTASY RECORDS

WATCH / SHARE “RAINBOWS” HERE
LISTEN / SHARE RAINBOWS EP HERE

PERFORMS AT THE 2026 JUNO AWARDS ON MARCH 29 WITH SARAH MCLACHLAN, HONOURING JONI MITCHELL

ON TOUR WITH SARAH MCLACHLAN THIS SUMMER - DATES BEGIN JULY 1

EP Artwork Photo Credit : Mason Poole // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES

GRAMMY Award winning singer-songwriter, poet, activist and multi-instrumentalist Allison Russell has released a new EP today titled Rainbows. The three-set includes her first new, original music in two years and is the title track, which arrives with a video from director Mason Poole. In addition to the original song, she has covered two Sarah McLachlan tracks including “Mary” and “Angel.” Russell will join the legendary artist on tour throughout the summer and the pair will perform together at the JUNO Awards later this month to honor Joni Mitchell. See all tour dates below and get your tickets HERE.

Of Rainbows EP, Russell says, “There is improbable magic all around us, and limitless magic in our own hearts and minds and imaginations. ‘Rainbows’ is a song about reconnecting with our own essential magic —a magic maybe we thought we’d  lost —so that we can pour it back into the World. It felt right to pair ‘Rainbows’ with these two covers of Sarah McLachlan’s magical work. Sarah is a trailblazer for all women in music — her Lilith Fair taught an entire generation of girls and women that we were never in competition, always stronger in community.” 

WATCH / SHARE “RAINBOWS” HERE
LISTEN / SHARE RAINBOWS EP HERE

Russell has also just completed her second run on Broadway as Persephone in the 8 time Tony Award winning musical Hadestown. She took over the role in November 2024 initially, after spending much of that year opening for Hozier on his Unreal Unearth Tour supporting his arena run on all US dates and throughout Europe. She made her Billboard Hot 100 debut thanks to their duet “Wildflower & Barley.”

The accolades for Russell have been immense. Last year she was nominated for the Polaris Music Prize and named Billboard Women In Music Canada’s “Breakthrough Artist of the Year.” She has had eight GRAMMY Award nominations and one win, earned three 2022 Americana Award nominations and a win for Album of the Year with subsequent nominations in 2023 and 2024, two International Folk Music Award wins, a 2022 JUNO Award nomination for ‘Songwriter of the Year,’ and her first-ever JUNO Award win for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year. Russell won three Canadian Folk Music Awards, two UK Americana Music Awards, and more. 

In addition, Russell has consistently used her platform to elevate, educate and inspire; curating the history making Once And Future Sounds: Roots and Revolution set for the Newport Folk Festival in 2021 and mobilizing the triumphant Love Rising All-Star benefit concert in support of LGBTQIA+ causes in Nashville - raising over $550,000 and calling national attention to Tennessee’s dangerous anti-trans and anti-drag laws. Russell has also announced a book deal for her debut novel, a memoir based on her life and the material that inspired Outside Child and The Returner.

TOUR DATES
*All dates supporting Sarah McLachlan

Jul 1 – FirstBank Amphitheater – Franklin, TN
Jul 3 – Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park – Atlanta, GA
Jul 7 – TD Pavilion at The Mann – Philadelphia, PA
Jul 8 – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater – Bridgeport, CT
Jul 10 – Leader Bank Pavilion – Boston, MA
Jul 11 – Forest Hills Stadium – Forest Hills, NY
Jul 12 – BankNH Pavilion – Gilford, NH
Jul 14 – Artpark Mainstage Theater – Lewiston, NY
Jul 15 – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill – Sterling Heights, MI
Jul 17 – Acrisure Amphitheater – Grand Rapids, MI
Jul 18 – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island – Chicago, IL
Jul 19 – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park – Indianapolis, IN
Jul 21 – PNC Pavilion – Cincinnati, OH
Jul 23 – Saint Louis Music Park – Maryland Heights, MO
Jul 24 – Starlight Theatre – Kansas City, MO
Jul 26 – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory – Irving, TX
Jul 30 – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre – West Valley City, UT
Aug 1 – Toyota Pavilion at Concord – Concord, CA
Aug 2 – The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park – San Diego, CA
Aug 4 – Greek Theatre – Los Angeles, CA
Aug 5 – Greek Theatre – Los Angeles, CA
Aug 7 – Hayden Homes Amphitheater – Bend, OR
Aug 8 – Chateau Ste Michelle Winery – Woodinville, WA
Aug 9 – Chateau Ste Michelle Winery – Woodinville, WA

 

DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES

RAINBOWS EP TRACKLIST
01 Rainbows
02 Mary
03 Angel 

ALLISON RUSSELL ONLINE:
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ALLISON RUSSELL RELEASES “SUPERLOVER (FEATURING ANNIE LENNOX)”

Photo Credit: Mason Poole // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES 

GRAMMY Award-winning singer-songwriter, poet, activist and multi-instrumentalist Allison Russell has released the phenomenal, emotional new single “Superlover” which features the legendary Annie Lennox. The song comes with a music video directed by Mason Poole (Beyonce, Lady Gaga). “Superlover” was produced by DimStar and features Wendy & Lisa and Russell’s Rainbow Coalition band.

Allison Russell and Annie Lennox on “Superlover”:

“I don’t know how to pray, so I offered up this song…

This song is a prayer.  This song is a protection spell.  This song is a plea. This song is a belief. This song is a question. 

Are you a Superlover?

All Children, Our Children.
All  Children are OUR Children.
All of them.
Everywhere.
No Exceptions.

This song is a Calling In.
We are One Human Family. 
Equally. 

Thank you Annie Lennox for singing with me, for inspiring me. You are an Artist of The Ages. I love you so. I bless the day we met. Our Circle is Unbroken.  

Thank you to all who choose communication, coalition, hope and harm reduction over violence, abuse, despair and destruction. 

We can be Superlovers…
Are you a Superlover?

Love is the Revolution” - Allison Russell

“I had the good fortune to meet Allison a couple of years ago onstage. We'd both been invited by Brandi Carlile to take part in an amazing concert with the legendary Joni Mitchell. Allison and I were sitting next to each other and I knew right away that she was a very special person.She has such natural warmth and generosity of spirit.. A beautiful person, both inside and out, as well as having an absolute heart of gold.We performed together several times since then and our bond of kinship was sealed. As it turns out, we have many things in common as we share a similar world-view in terms of perspectives on injustice and our passionate love for music.To meet an artist who is also a powerful human-rights advocate can be a rare thing, so even with that factor alone we feel truly connected.When she asked if I’d be interested in recording  with her I said ‘yes’ without hesitation..‘Superlover’ is one of the most soulful, compassionate songs you could ever hear, at a point when there’s too much dissonance, polarization, aggressivity and hatred being openly bandied around the globe. It’s an appeal for kindness and empathy, as opposed to violence and cruelty…It is medicine for the times and balm for the soul.I hope this song reaches as many people as possible and gives them a sense of comfort in  the trials and tribulations of these ‘most interesting’ times.” - Annie Lennox

WATCH / SHARE “SUPERLOVER (FEATURING ANNIE LENNOX)” HERE
BUY / STREAM “SUPERLOVER (FEATURING ANNIE LENNOX)” HERE

MORE ABOUT ALLISON RUSSELL
Russell has just completed her Broadway debut as Persephone in the 8 x Tony Award winning musical Hadestown. She took over the role in November 2024 after spending much of the year opening for Hozier on his Unreal Unearth Tour supporting his arena run on all US dates and throughout Europe. She made her Billboard Hot 100 debut thanks to their duet “Wildflower & Barley.”

After a brief run of dates in Australia in April of 2025, Russell will embark on her rescheduled All Returners Tour in late April. The tour will kick off April 30th in South Burlington, VT and highlights include Webster Hall in New York on May 5th, The Fillmore in San Francisco on May 19th and the Ryman Auditorium in her adopted hometown of Nashville on May 28th. A full list of tour dates is below. All shows will be with Kara Jackson. Tickets and VIP packages are on-sale now at https://allisonrussellmusic.com.

As part of her ongoing advocacy, Allison Russell is partnering with Propeller to support the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Fans who take a “Superlover" action to support HRC— which works to ensure every LGBTQ+ person is free to live their truth without fear and with equality under the law—will have the chance to win a flyaway to meet Allison at the final show of her All Returners Tour at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN on May 28, 2025. Fans can also unlock exclusive prizes at shows by supporting HRC throughout the tour. Learn more at propeller.la and check out the specific propeller page HERE

The accolades for Russell have been immense. This past fall she was nominated for the Polaris Music Prize and named Billboard Women In Music Canada’s “Breakthrough Artist of the Year.” She has had 8 GRAMMY Award nominations and one win, earned three 2022 Americana Award nominations and a win for Album of the Year with subsequent nominations in 2023 and 2024, two International Folk Music Award wins, a 2022 JUNO Award nomination for Songwriter of the Year, and her first-ever JUNO Award win for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year. Russell won three Canadian Folk Music Awards, two UK Americana Music Awards, and more. In addition, Russell has consistently used her newfound platform to elevate, educate and inspire; curating the history making Once And Future Sounds: Roots and Revolution set for the Newport Folk Festival in 2021 and mobilizing this year’s triumphant Love Rising All-Star benefit concert in support of LGBTQIA+ causes in Nashville - raising over $550,000 and calling national attention to Tennessee’s dangerous anti-trans and anti-drag laws. Russell has also announced a book deal for her debut novel, a memoir based on her life and the material that inspired Outside Child and The Returner.

TOUR DATES
APR 15 - Melbourne Recital Centre - Southbank, VIC
APR 17 - City Recital Hall - Sydney, Australia
APR 18-20 - Bluesfest Byron Bay - Byron Bay, NSW
APR 30 - Higher Ground Ballroom - South Burlington, VT
MAY 2 - Theatre of Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA
MAY 3 - Lincoln Theatre - Washington, DC
MAY 4 - Royale - Boston, MA
MAY 6 - Webster Hall - New York, NY
MAY 8 - The Vic Theatre - Chicago, IL
MAY 9 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN
MAY 12 - Gothic Theatre - Englewood, CO
MAY 13 - The Commonwealth Room - Salt Lake City, UT
MAY 15 - The Egyptian Theatre - Boise, ID
MAY 16 - The Showbox - Seattle, WA
MAY 17 - Wonder Ballroom - Portland, OR
MAY 19 - The Fillmore - San Francisco, CA
MAY 20 - Belasco Theater - Los Angeles, CA
MAY 23 - Scoot Inn - Austin, TX
MAY 24 - Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall - Fort Worth, TX
MAY 25 - The Heights Theater - Houston, TX
MAY 28 - Ryman Auditorium - Nashville, TN
AUGUST 23 - Budweiser Stage - Toronto, ON with Blue Rodeo & Aysanabee

*All US Dates With Kara Jackson

ALLISON RUSSELL ONLINE:
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ALLISON RUSSELL-INSPIRED ‘EVE WAS BLACK’ BALLET ADDED TO POLARIS MUSIC PRIZE GALA

GRAMMY AND JUNO AWARD WINNER ALLISON RUSSELL’S LATEST ALBUM, THE RETURNER, SHORT-LISTED FOR THE POLARIS MUSIC PRIZE

ALLISON RUSSELL-INSPIRED BALLET SET TO “EVE WAS BLACK” ADDED TO THE POLARIS MUSIC PRIZE GALA PERFORMANCES

WATCH THE POLARIS MUSIC PRIZE GALA ON CBC MUSIC - SEPTEMBER 17

ALLISON RUSSELL NAMED BILLBOARD CANADA WOMEN IN MUSIC BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST OF THE YEAR

ON TOUR NOW WITH HOZIER - TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE

BUY / STREAM THE RETURNER HERE

“That same hope permeates the buoyant rhythm of The Returner and continues pushing Russell forward in pursuit of joy.”  - EXCLAIM!

“It was only a matter of time before she made her album for the ages. The Returner is that album.” - UNCUT (9 out of 10) 

“Allison Russell delivers soul-stirring show… She not only demonstrated her wonderful voice, laden with soul, gospel and raw emotion, but also showed she can play multiple instruments, including clarinet and banjo, and craft poignant songs in both official languages.” –
The Ottawa Citizen

"The Returner is a promise that Russell is giving back more than she's received, which has always felt like her ethos. The way the Montreal-raised singer lifts others up — fellow artists and fans alike — is a spiritual experience, no matter your convictions." - CBC Music

The Returner LP Artwork // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES

Next week at the 2024 Polaris Music Prize Gala, viewers will have the opportunity to watch the seven-person Allison Russell-inspired ballet ‘Eve Was Black’. Fresh off Grammy Award and JUNO Award wins, and being named the Billboard Canada Women In Music Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Allison’s latest album, The Returner, is shortlisted for prestigious music prize. The gala is presented by CBC Music and takes place Tuesday, September 17 at Massey Hall in Toronto.

Set to the Grammy Award winning song “Eve Was Black,” from The Returner, the dance has evolved to center, comfort and celebrate people of African descent, particularly women, whose skin tones, features, and sheer existence has been weaponized, victimized and devalued for hundreds of years. It is a call for reclaiming and collective reframing of the narrative associated with Black people and communities of color worldwide.

WATCH / SHARE “EVE WAS BLACK” LYRIC VIDEO HERE

“‘Eve Was Black’ is an open letter to my abuser, but also to anyone suffering from the false ideology of white supremacy and other bigotries, whatever they may be. It’s also about how you can free yourself from that toxicity and way of thinking.” — Allison Russell

‘Eve Was Black’ was originally presented by the Nashville Ballet in association with the National Museum Of African American Music in 2021. The piece was choreographed by Caribbean Montrealer and Collage Dance’s artistic director Kevin Thomas and features music by Russell with support from SistaStrings. Nia Lyons from Collage Dance Collective will be performing the leading role at the Polaris Gala.

Thomas calls ‘Eve Was Black’ “an opportunity to continue the healing process within ourselves and our community in a way that honors and liberates us through the visceral performing arts.”

WATCH ALLISON RUSSELL’S IN DEPTH INTERVIEW ON CBC THE NATIONAL
WATCH ALLISON RUSSELL ON LATER…WITH JOOLS HOLLAND

WATCH ALLISON RUSSEL ON JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE

MORE ABOUT ALLISON RUSSELL
The Returner was written and co-produced by Allison along with dim star (her partner JT Nero and Drew Lindsay) and was recorded over Solstice week in December 2022 at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles, CA. It features Russell’s “Rainbow Coalition” ensemble: Elenna Canlas, Elizabeth Pupo-Walker, Ganessa James, Joy Clark, Kerenza Peacock, Larissa Maestro, Mandy Fer (Sway Wild), Megan Coleman, Meg McCormick, SistaStrings (Chauntee & Monique Ross), Wendy & Lisa (Wendy Melvoin & Lisa Coleman aka The Revolution) and Wiktoria Bialic. 

Since the release of her debut solo LP in 2021, Outside Child, Russell’s often devastating, deeply moving, cathartic celebration of survivor’s joy has become one of the most acclaimed albums of the past 10 years. The second chapter, The Returner, a body-shaking, mind-expanding, soulful expression of liberation, love, and self-respect that serves as a fierce declaration of joy for all survivors that have made it to the other side. Allison, JT, and Drew, built The Returner from the bottom up with a rhythm-first, genre-fluid approach. The improvisational energy of great female artists sparked the album’s fierce joy, and provided a wider canvas for Allison’s immense, unlimited talent. In all, the new album doesn’t just deliver on the promise of the last two years, it exceeds all reasonable (and unreasonable) expectations and affirms Allison Russell’s place among music’s most vital artists⎯and The Returner, was one of 2023’s most essential recordings.

BUY / STREAM THE RETURNER HERE

Following a diverse career as a featured member of acclaimed bands including Po’ Girl, Birds of Chicago and Our Native Daughters, Russell finally dared to release her solo project in 2021. "It’s an album of strength and affirmation, not victimization,” said The New York Times in their profile on Russell and Outside Child. Following the album’s release, Russell performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Ellen, Late Night With Stephen Colbert, CBS Saturday Morning, Austin City Limits, The Kelly Clarkson Show made her Opry debut and appeared at the Country Music Hall of Fame and performed at the 2022 GRAMMY’s Premiere Ceremony.

The accolades for Russell have been immense. In addition to her GRAMMY Award, she has earned three 2022 Americana Award nominations and a win for Album of the Year, two International Folk Music Award wins, a 2022 JUNO Award nomination for ‘Songwriter of the Year,’ and her first-ever JUNO Award win for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year. Russell received two 2021 Americana Awards nominations, won three Canadian Folk Music Awards, two UK Americana Music Awards, and more. She was recently nominated for Song of the Year and Artist of the Year for the 2023 Americana Awards. In addition, Russell has consistently used her newfound platform to elevate, educate and inspire; curating the history making Once And Future Sounds: Roots and Revolution set for the Newport Folk Festival in 2021 and mobilizing this year’s triumphant Love Rising All-Star benefit concert in support of LGBTQIA+ causes in Nashville - raising over $550,000 and calling national attention to Tennessee’s dangerous anti-trans and anti-drag laws. Russell has also announced a book deal with Flatiron/MacMillan for her debut novel, a memoir based on her life and the material that inspired Outside Child and The Returner.

TOUR DATES
SEP 13, 2024 - Tucson Arena -Tucson, AZ %
SEP 14, 2024 - North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre -Chula Vista, CA %
SEP 15, 2024 - Whale Rock Music Festival - Templeton, CA %
SEP 17, 2024 - The Kia Forum - Inglewood, CA %
SEP 18, 2024 - The Kia Forum - Inglewood, CA %
SEP 20, 2024 - The Kia Forum - Inglewood, CA %
SEP 22, 2024 - Isleta Amphitheater - Albuquerque, NM %
SEP 24, 2024 - Frost Bank Center - San Antonio, TX %
SEP 26, 2024 - Paycom Center - Oklahoma City, OK %
SEP 28, 2024 - Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival - Franklin, TN
OCT 17, 2024 - Kia Forum - Inglewood, CA | Life Is a Carnival: A Musical Celebration of Robbie
Robertson
OCT 19, 20 - Hollywood Bowl - Los Angeles, CA | Joni Jam
APR 15, 2025 - Melbourne Recital Centre - Southbank, VIC
APR 17, 2025 - City Recital Hall - Sydney, Australia
APR 19, 20 - 2025 - Bluesfest Byron Bay - Byron Bay, NSW
APR 30, 2025 - Higher Ground Ballroom - South Burlington, VT
MAY 2, 2025 - Theatre of Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA
MAY 3, 2025 - Lincoln Theatre - Washington, DC
MAY 4, 2025 - Royale - Boston, MA
MAY 6, 2025 - Webster Hall - New York, NY
MAY 8, 2025 - The Vic Theatre - Chicago, IL
MAY 9, 2025 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN
MAY 12, 2025 - Gothic Theatre - Englewood, CO
MAY 13, 2025 - The Commonwealth Room - Salt Lake City, UT
MAY 15, 2025 - The Egyptian Theatre - Boise, ID
MAY 17, 2025 - Wonder Ballroom - Portland, OR
MAY 19, 2025 - The Fillmore - San Francisco, CA
MAY 20, 2025 - Belasco Theater - Los Angeles, CA
MAY 23, 2025 - Scoot Inn - Austin, TX
MAY 24, 2025 - Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall - Fort Worth, TX
MAY 25, 2025 - The Heights Theater - Houston, TX

% -Supporting Hozier

MORE PRAISE FOR THE RETURNER

"Allison Russell proved to be the strongest vocalist over the two-day festival..." -
Glide Magazine

“With its increased twin focus on grooves and celebration, it might not be inaccurate to call the album a party, albeit with the understanding that the celebration is a hard-fought party.” - VARIETY

"Emblazoned with words as arrows, a banjo as her bow and her clarinet as an extension of her voice, Russell unapologetically wields the wind of her lived experience of violent abuse, sheer survival and remarkable redemption. The result is mesmerizing."- Post & Courier

“Allison Russell’s second solo album brings to mind a verse from the Bible: ‘Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.’ After reflecting on her escape from abuse on her 2021 breakout, Outside Child, Russell is celebrating her freedom on The Returner. The album has its heavy moments, but it’s largely brighter — and funkier.” - VULTURE

"The resilient songwriter maintains a throughline of gratitude with an impeccable knack for storytelling.  If you’re looking for an enduring album to seek refuge and celebrate the ambivalence of life, this one’s for you." - RANGE Magazine

“On her second album, The Returner, she delivers a sequel that holds togetherness at its heart as she delves into the personal and political.”  - THE LINE OF BEST FIT 

"Bolstered by a female-centric circle of VIPs and fuelled by defiant joy, the ascendant singer-songwriter grooves her way into the big leagues with this upbeat charmer." - Tinnitist

“The Returner, another powerful effort, also represents a next step in Russell’s career and life as she leaves her trauma in the past and steps forward in what she calls “fierce joy.” - POLLSTAR

"It takes a village to make deep, meaningful change in the world around you, and Russell is ready to build that village from the ground up.” - BILLBOARD

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