Allison Russell

Russell was born in Montreal to a Grenadian father and a Scottish-Canadian teenage single mother.{{Cite news |last=Hight |first=Jewly |title=Singer Allison Russell Shares Personal Saga Of Trauma And Triumph On Outside Child |date=2021-05-26 |language=en |work=NPR.org |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/05/26/1000521784/singer-songwriter-allison-russell-shares-a-personal-saga-of-trauma-and-triumph-o |access-date=2021-10-26}}{{Cite news |last=Pareles |first=Jon |date=2021-05-13 |title=Allison Russell Faces Her Past in Song |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/13/arts/music/allison-russell-outside-child.html |access-date=2021-10-26 |issn=0362-4331}} Her mother struggled with postpartum depression and schizophrenia, and Russell was initially placed in foster care.{{Cite news |title=Montreal-born singer Allison Russell's music is all about resilience |url=https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/local-arts/montreal-born-singer-allison-russells-music-is-all-about-resilience |last=Kelly |first=Brendan |date=2021-06-10 |access-date=2021-10-26 |work=Montreal Gazette |language=en-CA}} Her mother regained custody of her after marrying a white-supremacist American expatriate. From the ages of 5 to 15, she was physically and sexually abused by her adoptive father. At the age of 15, Russell ran away from home, eventually moving to Vancouver in 1998.{{Cite magazine |last=Bernstein |first=Jonathan |date=2021-03-19 |title=How Allison Russell Broke Free of Her Painful Past |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/allison-russell-interview-1143603/ |access-date=2021-10-26 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2021-05-17 |title='This is my path': Allison Russell on trauma, self-love and healing through music |last=Readman |first=Tim |website=Roots Music Canada |url=https://www.rootsmusic.ca/2021/05/17/this-is-my-path-allison-russell-on-trauma-self-love-and-healing-through-music/ |access-date=2021-10-26 |language=en-US}} She attended Dawson College.{{Cite web |title=Babe #320: Allison Russell |url=https://www.babeswhohustle.com/home/babes/arussell |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=Babes Who Hustle |date=n.d. |language=en-US}}

Russell was initially a member of the Vancouver-based Celtic folk band Fear of Drinking.{{Cite web |last=Thornton |first=Stuart |title=Po' Girl brings the road tunes. |url=https://www.montereycountyweekly.com/news/local_news/po-girl-brings-the-road-tunes/article_822e4a3b-6521-5d0e-90ee-8e563907fdde.html |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=Monterey County Weekly |date=August 18, 2005 |language=en}}

File:Po' Girl.jpg in 2009]]

In 2003, Russell formed the band Po' Girl with The Be Good Tanyas member Trish Klein.{{Cite web |date=2009-11-12 |title=Po' Girl |url=https://www.times-standard.com/general-news/20091112/po-girl |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=Times-Standard |language=en-US}} She recorded seven albums with the band: Po' Girl (2003), Vagabond Lullabies (2004), B-side Recordings (2006), Home to You (2007), Deer in the Night (2008), Live (2009), and Follow Your Bliss (2010).{{Cite web |title=Po' Girl Albums and Discography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/po-girl-mn0000349600/discography |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=AllMusic |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Po' Girl – Follow Your Bliss |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/po-girl---follow-your-bliss-40338 |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=The Line of Best Fit |language=en |archive-date=October 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026074424/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/po-girl---follow-your-bliss-40338 |url-status=dead}} In 2011, Russell's work with the second iteration of Sankofa Strings—Sankofa—recording "The Uptown Strut" (with Grammy award-winning artist Dom Flemons, the Lovin' Spoonful's John Sebastian, Grammy-nominated Professor Louie (Aaron Hurwitz), Súle Greg Wilson, and Ndidi Onukwulu), was released on the Kingswood Records label. Russell penned "If Wishes Were Gold", the only original on the album.

The following year, Russell formed the music group Birds of Chicago with JT Nero.{{Cite news |title=Birds Of Chicago On Mountain Stage |language=en |work=NPR.org |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/07/27/633064110/birds-of-chicago-on-mountain-stage |access-date=2021-10-26}} As part of Birds of Chicago, Russell released three studio albums: Birds of Chicago (2012),{{Cite web |title=Birds of Chicago |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/birds-of-chicago-mw0002469145 |access-date=3 November 2021 |website=Allmusic.com |language=en-us}} Real Midnight (2016) and Love in Wartime (2018).{{Cite web |title=StackPath |url=https://www.folkradio.co.uk/2018/05/birds-of-chicago-love-in-wartime/ |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=www.folkradio.co.uk |date=10 May 2018}} With the group, she also released a live album, Live from Space,{{Cite web |title=Birds of Chicago 'Live From Space' - Self-Release |url=https://www.lonesomehighway.com/music-reviews/2014/3/8/birds-of-chicago-live-from-space-self-release.html |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=Lonesome Highway |date=March 8, 2014 |language=en-US}} and an EP titled American Flowers in 2018.

In 2018, Russell joined the musical collective Our Native Daughters alongside fellow musicians Rhiannon Giddens, Leyla McCalla, and Amythyst Kiah.{{Cite magazine |last=Bernstein |first=Jonathan |date=2021-02-08 |title=Our Native Daughters Documentary to Get TV Premiere |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/our-native-daughters-documentary-premiere-1125010/ |access-date=2021-10-26 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=5 things to know about Outside Child by Allison Russell |url=https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/5-things-to-know-about-outside-child-by-allison-russell |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=vancouversun |language=en-CA}} In 2019, the group released the album Songs of Our Native Daughters under the Smithsonian Folkways label.{{Cite web |date=2019-02-21 |title=Our Native Daughters: Songs of Our Native Daughters review – devastating beauty from banjo supergroup |url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/feb/21/our-native-daughters-songs-of-our-native-daughters-review-devastating-beauty-from-banjo-supergroup |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=The Guardian |language=en}} Russell was also featured alongside the rest of the group in a Smithsonian Channel documentary titled Reclaiming History: Our Native Daughters.{{Cite web |agency=Associated Press |date=2021-02-20 |title=Our Native Daughters bring Black women's voices, music to forefront in documentary |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-tv/2021/2/20/22292022/our-native-daughters-documentary-smithsonian-channel-womens-voices-music-rhiannon-giddens |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=Chicago Sun-Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Kristin M. |title=Giddens, 'Our Native Daughters,' highlight the struggle of Black women in music |url=https://greensboro.com/news/local/giddens-our-native-daughters-highlight-the-struggle-of-black-women-in-music/article_4393ef12-751f-11eb-9744-778b634d3d11.html |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=Greensboro News and Record |date=February 22, 2021 |language=en}} As a single, Russell released covers of the songs "By Your Side" by Sade and "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac in January 2021.{{Cite magazine |last=Bernstein |first=Jonathan |date=2021-01-29 |title=Allison Russell Drops Mesmerizing Covers of Fleetwood Mac and Sade |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/allison-russell-covers-fleetwood-mac-sade-1120771/ |access-date=2021-10-26 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} She also released a cover of "Everything I Wanted" by Billie Eilish as a single in February 2021.{{Cite magazine |date=2021-02-26 |title=Allison Russell Makes Billie Eilish's 'Everything I Wanted' Even Spookier: Listen |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9532053/allison-russell-covers-everything-i-wanted-billie-eilish/}}

File:Allison Russell (51668030372).jpg

In March 2021, Russell released "Nightflyer" as the first single from her album Outside Child.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-19 |title=Birds of Chicago's Allison Russell Announces Debut Solo Album Outside Child {{!}} Exclaim! |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/birds_of_chicagos_allison_russell_announces_debut_solo_album_outside_child |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=exclaim.ca |language=en-ca}} She followed this up with the single "Persephone," released in April of the same year.{{Cite web |title=StackPath |url=https://www.folkradio.co.uk/2021/04/allison-russell-releases-new-track-persephone/ |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=www.folkradio.co.uk |date=16 April 2021}} She also released the singles "Montreal"{{Cite web |last=Liptak |first=Carena |title=Listen: Allison Russell's 'Montreal' is a Mesmerizing, Bilingual Love Letter to Her Hometown |url=https://theboot.com/allison-russell-montreal-album-outside-child/ |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=The Boot |date=May 5, 2021 |language=en}} and "The Runner"{{Cite web |last=Sexton |first=Paul |date=2021-05-14 |title=Allison Russell Shares 'The Runner' From Solo Debut Outside Child |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/allison-russell-releases-the-runner-single/ |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=uDiscover Music |language=en-US}} ahead of the album's full release.

On May 21, 2021, Russell released her first solo album Outside Child under Fantasy Records. The album explores her experiences during her youth, including her recovery from the trauma of her childhood abuse.{{Cite web |date=2021-05-25 |title=Album Review: Allison Russell, Outside Child |url=https://folkalley.com/album-review-allison-russell-outside-child/ |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=Folk Alley |language=en-US}} For her work on the album, Russell was nominated for multiple awards, including four Canadian Folk Music Awards, the long list for the Polaris Music Prize, and a nomination for Emerging Act of the Year at the 2021 Americana Honors & Awards. She was nominated for this award both as a solo artist and in the duo/group category as a member of Our Native Daughters.{{Cite web |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=2021-05-26 |title=Jason Isbell, Allison Russell, Brandi Carlile Among Nominees for Americana Honors & Awards |url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/americana-honors-awards-nominations-jason-isbell-1234982313/ |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

Russell performed her song "Nightflyer" with guests Brandi Carlile and Brittney Spencer on an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! aired on May 25, 2021.{{Cite magazine |last=Bernstein |first=Jonathan |date=2021-05-26 |title=Allison Russell Sings 'Nightflyer' With Brittney Spencer, Brandi Carlile on 'Kimmel' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/allison-russell-nightflyer-kimmel-brandi-carlile-1174636/ |access-date=2021-10-26 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Robyn |title=Watch: Allison Russell Enlists Brandi Carlile, Brittney Spencer for Stunning 'Nightflyer' Performance on 'Jimmy Kimmel' |url=https://theboot.com/allison-russell-brittney-spencer-brandi-carlile-jimmy-kimmel-nightflyer/ |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=The Boot |date=May 26, 2021 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Dowling |first=Marcus K. |date=2021-05-26 |title=Brittney Spencer Joins Brandi Carlile for Allison Russell's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' Performance |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1834223/brittney-spencer-joins-brandi-carlile-for-allison-russells-jimmy-kimmel-live-performance/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527030820/http://www.cmt.com/news/1834223/brittney-spencer-joins-brandi-carlile-for-allison-russells-jimmy-kimmel-live-performance/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 27, 2021 |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=CMT News}}{{Cite web |date=2021-05-21 |title=Allison Russell Excavates the Pains of Her Past on Debut Outside Child |url=https://americansongwriter.com/allison-russell-excavates-the-pains-of-her-past-on-debut-outside-child/ |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=American Songwriter |language=en-US}} On May 28, 2021, Russell made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry.{{Cite web |last=Dowling |first=Marcus K. |date=2021-06-21 |title=Allison Russell's a Proud, Black, and Queer Outside Child '[Saving] The World' |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1835248/allison-russells-a-proud-black-and-queer-outside-child-saving-the-world/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730164724/http://www.cmt.com/news/1835248/allison-russells-a-proud-black-and-queer-outside-child-saving-the-world/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 30, 2021 |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=CMT News}} In the same year, she also performed at the Country Music Hall of Fame.{{Cite web |title=Allison Russell • Live at the Hall, 2021 - Allison Russell |url=https://watch.countrymusichalloffame.org/live-at-the-hall/season:3/videos/allison-russell-live-at-the-hall-2021 |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum |language=en}} She performed several songs from Outside Child live on CBS This Morning Saturday on July 24, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Belmore |first=Ryan |date=2021-07-24 |title=Allison Russell performs on CBS This Morning this Saturday, curates headlining set on Sunday at Newport Folk |url=http://whatsupnewp.com/2021/07/allison-russell-performs-on-cbs-this-morning-this-saturday-curates-headlining-set-on-sunday-at-newport-folk/ |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=What's Up Newp |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=2021-07-24 |title=Saturday Sessions: Allison Russell performs "The Runner" |work=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/video/saturday-sessions-allison-russell-performs-the-runner/}}

On September 25, 2021, Russell performed at the annual Farm Aid event in Hartford, Connecticut.{{Cite magazine |title=14 Things That Changed (or Didn't) at Farm Aid 2021 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/festivals/9635191/farm-aid-2021-best-moments-recap/ |access-date=2021-10-26 |magazine=Billboard |date=26 September 2021 |language=en}}

In November 2021, Russell received three Grammy nominations (Best American Roots Performance; Best American Roots Song; Best Americana Album).{{Cite web |title=2022 Grammys Awards Show: Complete Nominations List |url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/2022-grammys-complete-winners-nominees-nominations-list |access-date=2021-11-27 |website=Grammy |language=en}} A month later, she was one of several artists to perform with the Black Opry, a revue focused on black artists in country music.{{cite web |url=https://www.phillytrib.com/entertainment/music/the-black-opry-wants-to-bring-diversity-to-country-music/article_b4ad7c49-e165-5b3d-b848-f35ba1053e4f.html |title=The Black Opry wants to bring diversity to country music |publisher=Philadelphia Tribune |date=February 15, 2022 |access-date=April 12, 2022 |author=Emily Yahr}} On August 18, 2022, she and Brandi Carlile released a re-imagining of "You're Not Alone" which previously appeared on the Songs of Our Native Daughters album.{{cite web |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/allison-russell/brandi-carlile-new-single-youre-not-alone/ |title=Allison Russell Recruits Brandi Carlile to Reimagine "You're Not Alone" |date=17 August 2022}}

In March 2023, Russell organized Love Rising, an all-star benefit concert, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville in response to Tennessee's anti-LGBT+ legislation.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/allison-russell-tennessee-drag-law-lgbtq-love-rising-concert-1234697057/ |title=Allison Russell on How Nashville's 'Love Rising' Concert Is Fighting Tennessee's Anti-LGBTQ Laws |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=15 March 2023}}

Russell's second solo album, The Returner, was released on September 8, 2023.Laura Stanley, [https://exclaim.ca/music/article/allison_russell_interview_the_returner "Allison Russell Celebrates Her 'Fierce, Hard-Won Joy'"]. Exclaim!, June 6, 2023. In November 2023, Russell received four Grammy nominations for it (Best American Roots Performance; Best American Roots Song; Best Americana Album; Best Americana Performance). The album was a shortlisted finalist for the 2024 Polaris Music Prize.

In July 2024, Russell provided the voice of Teddi Barra in the Country Bear Musical Jamboree at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.{{cite magazine |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=July 10, 2024 |title=First Look At Disney World's Revamped Country Bear Jamboree, Including New Nashville-Centric Voice Cast Mac McAnally, Allison Russell, Chris Thile, Emily Ann Roberts |url=https://www.aol.com/entertainment/first-look-disney-world-revamped-185057925.html |magazine=Variety |access-date=July 11, 2024 |via=Aol.com}}

In September 2024, it was announced that Russell would be making her Broadway debut, performing the role of Persephone in the musical Hadestown. Her performances begin on November 12, 2024.{{cite news |author= |date=17 September 2024 |title=Allison Russell to make Broadway debut in Hadestown |url=https://www.cbc.ca/music/allison-russell-to-make-broadway-debut-hadestown-1.7325636 |work=CBC |location=Toronto, Canada |access-date=20 September 2024}}

In 2013, Russell married her Birds of Chicago bandmate Jeremy Lindsay (stage name JT Nero).{{cite web |title=Jeremy Lindsay |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/1290445-Jeremy-Lindsay |website=discogs |access-date=1 December 2021}}{{Cite web |last=Dickinson |first=Chrissie |title=Birds of Chicago a family thing, on and off stage |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-birds-of-chicago-jt-nero-allison-russell-20141023-story.html |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=chicagotribune.com |date=October 23, 2014}} They were close friends and housemates.{{Cite web |last=Hight |first=Jewly |date=2021-01-20 |title=Roots Music Roomies Allison Russell And Yola Worked To Get Somewhere In A Year of Staying Put |url=https://wnxp.org/roots-music-roomies-allison-russell-and-yola-really-got-somewhere-in-a-year-of-staying-put/ |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=WNXP |language=en-US}} Russell gave birth to their daughter, Ida, in 2014.{{Cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-birds-of-chicago-jt-nero-allison-russell-20141023-story.html |title=Birds of Chicago a family thing, on and off stage |website=Chicago Tribune |date=October 23, 2014}}

Russell identifies as queer and stated in an interview that "I fall in the middle of the spectrum of orientation. I’ve been in love with women and I’ve been in love with men and I’ve been in love with trans people and I’ve been in love with non-binary people. I wound up falling in love and committing to share a life with a man, my husband. One could assume that I’m straight, but I am not and especially in this time of increased polarization and bigotry, it is really important that people understand that nothing is black and white. Nothing is simple and you can’t assume that because I am married to a man and I have a child that I am a straight person. You can’t say homophobic things to me and have it pass. Part of me wanted to really acknowledge that publicly". She stated that "Persephone", a song from her debut album, was written about her first love, a woman she met during her teenage years.{{Cite web |url=https://thebluegrasssituation.com/read/allison-russell-gives-a-voice-to-the-abused-and-queer-on-solo-debut-part-1-of-2/ |title=Allison Russell Gives a Voice to Queer Folks and Survivors on Solo Debut (Part 1 of 2) |date=19 May 2021}}

In 2023, she told Out that she was a "hopeful agnostic," adding that she believed that "empathy is a superpower and that diversity is not a dirty word" and said she "resist[s] the divide-and-conquer tactics of all toxic hierarchies...Our differences are riches...Our rainbow coalition is unstoppable."{{cite web |last=Rude |first=Mey |url=https://www.out.com/out100/disruptors/allisonrussell |title=Allison Russell |website=Out |access-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105215952/https://www.out.com/out100/disruptors/allisonrussell |archive-date=November 5, 2023 |url-status=live}}

Russell signed the October 2023 Artists4Ceasefire open letter addressed to President Joe Biden during the Israeli retribution on Gaza for the attacks of October 7.{{Cite web |title=Artists4Ceasefire |url=https://www.artists4ceasefire.org/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=Artists4Ceasefire |language=en-US}}

• Allison Russell - vocals, guitar, banjo, clarinet
• Elenna Canlas - musical director, keyboards, melodica, backing vocals
• Ganessa James - bass, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
• Yissy Garcia - drums, percussion, backing vocals
• Joy Clark - acoustic and electric guitars, backing vocals
• Caoimhe Hopkinson - acoustic and electric guitars, bass, backing vocals
• Caoi de Barra - drums, percussion, backing vocals

Previous band members:

• Larissa Maestro - cello, backing vocals
• SistaStrings (Monique and Chauntee Ross) - cello and violin, backing vocals
• Mandy Fer - electric guitar, backing vocals
• Megan Coleman/Elizabeth Goodfellow - drums

{{notelist-ua}}

{{Infobox musician awards

| name = Allison Russell

| image =

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption =

| wins = 12

| nominations = 35

| award1 = Americana Music Honors & Awards

| award1W = 2

| award1N = 9

| award2 = Canadian Folk Music Awards

| award2W = 3

| award2N = 4

| award3 = Folk Alliance Awards

| award3W = 2

| award3N = 2

| award4 = Grammy Awards

| award4W = 1

| award4N = 8

| award5 = Juno Awards

| award5W = 1

| award5N = 2

| award6 = Libera Awards

| award6W = 0

| award6N = 3

| award7 = Polaris Music Prize

| award7W = 0

| award7N = 1

| award8 = UK Americana Music Awards

| award8W = 6

| award8N = 6

}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Portal bar|Biography|Music|Canada}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{AllMusic |id=mn0000106294 |title=Allison Russell}}
• {{Discogs artist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Russell, Allison}}

Category:Living people

Category:Canadian women folk singers

Category:21st-century Black Canadian women singers

Category:21st-century Canadian women singers

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:Canadian women singer-songwriters

Category:Canadian folk singer-songwriters

Category:Canadian people of Scottish descent

Category:Canadian people of Grenadian descent

Category:Musicians from Montreal

Category:Canadian queer musicians

Category:Canadian LGBTQ singer-songwriters

Category:Black Canadian LGBTQ people

Category:Juno Award for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year winners

Category:Dawson College alumni

Category:21st-century Canadian LGBTQ people

Category:Grammy Award winners

Category:21st-century Canadian singer-songwriters

Category:Canadian indie folk musicians

Category:Our Native Daughters members