The Grammy-winning US singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Judith Hill is back with her fifth album, Letters From A Black Widow, which will be released via the Regime label on 26th April 2024. Following up the album’s first single ‘Flame’ – a stomping mid-tempo cut where blistering blues-rock and testifying soul influences collide – Hill has unveiled a second taster from her album: ‘Dame de la Lumière’ (‘Lady of the Light’), a beautiful, Latin-tinged ballad. The gorgeous track, a tale of empowerment dedicated to her mother and grandmother, coincides with Women’s History Month, and has an accompanying video. (Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I59JK6De7IU).
Says Hill: “This is the story about my mother and my grandmother, two powerful women who taught me the meaning of perseverance,” states Hill. “I remember how they overcame the impossible and survived because they were determined to be there for their families. Standing on their shoulders, I carry on. I close my eyes and see the faces of every woman in history who turned weeds into leaves of evergreen. They stand taller than the mountains. If they can do it, I can do it. Bad times make strong women! This is my mantra.”
‘Dame de la Lumière’ is one of many strong tracks on Letters From A Black Widow, an intensely autobiographical song cycle charting Hill’s journey from despair and personal angst to a triumphant cathartic release. The album’s title alludes to Hill being dubbed a “Black Widow” in headlines devised by tabloid newspapers after the demise of two of her close collaborators, Prince and Michael Jackson, via drug overdoses. Hill confronts her trolls in the powerful title song, a dramatic blend of soul and rock tropes.
“For years the ‘Black Widow’ was such a dark presence in my life that was too looming and intimidating to even talk about,” explains Hill, who had time to come to terms with the spectre of her past during the pandemic. “I found I had the courage and strength to face all this – to be authentic to my core, to dive into the whole experience, and turn an ocean of darkness into expressive fire.”
‘Dame de la Lumière’ is out now. Letters From A Black Widow will be released on 26th April via Regime Music Group
Confirmed European tour dates:
07.05.24 STAVANGER (NO) Maijazz Festival
08.05.24 TRONDHEIM (NO) Trondheim Jazz Festival
09.05.24 HAMAR (NO) Hamar Jazz Festival
10.05.24 SANDVIKA (NO) Baerum Kulturhus
11.05.24 STOCKHOLM (SE) Fasching
12.05.24 STOCKHOLM (SE) Fasching
17.05.24 COPENHAGEN (DK) DR Concert Hall
19.05.24 SCHÖPPINGEN (DE) Blues Festival Schöppingen
21.05.24 ZÜRICH (CH) Kaufleuten
22.05.24 INNSBRUCK (AT) Treibhaus
23.05.24 RUBIGEN (CH) Mühle Hunziken
24.05.24 TÜBINGEN (DE) Sudhaus
26.05.24 WEERT (NL) Poppodium Q-Factory
29.05.24 SINT-NIKLAAS (BE) De Casino Concertzaal
30.05.24 PARIS (FR) New Morning
01.06.24 WEIZ (AT) Jazz Festival Weiz
04.06.24 ALMERIA (ES) Clasijazz
06.06.24 ANTALYA (TR) Akra Jazz Festival
07.06.24 HAMBURG (DE) Elbjazz Festival
08.06.24 LONDON (UK) Bush Hall
