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London Songstress Rosie Alena first crossed my radar following her appearance on Our Singing Tradition Vol. 1 (2021) featuring a refreshingly eclectic leftfield Broadside Hacks ‘supergroup’, on which she performed, Scarborough Fair. For her latest release, she breathes new life into ‘Oh Dear, What Can The Matter Be’, an English Nursery rhyme dating from the late 18th Century and ‘Silver Dagger’. The latter song is well-covered, while the most well-known version is probably by Joan Baez, the likes of Mary Hampton (Book One) and Rapunzel & Sedayne (Songs from The Barley Temple) rank among my favourite interpretations in the way they bring a special presence to the song, something Rosie does with ease here by owning them: “becoming my stories to tell”. Both songs will remain among my favourites – and are our double Song of the Day.
This new release is out today on Broadside Hacks Recordings (Milkweed, Goblin Band) and forms part of a Limited Edition Extended Version release of her debut mini-album Pixelated Images (complete with lyric +’ making of’ booklet). On both tracks, she is accompanied just by the pared-back string arrangements of Cellist Haydn Wynn, allowing her vocals to really shine through as well as adding the tension and vulnerability she talks of below.
“It felt important for me to honour this genre and its influence on my own songwriting by picking two songs that I could recontextualise to fit within my own sonic world – becoming my stories to tell. To me, they represent two contrasting motions of heartbreak: “Oh Dear..” yearning to be close to somebody that can no longer be relied upon; transitioning to “Silver Dagger” which gives up on romantic love all together. They both deal with loss, yet their voices seem to channel the strong women I have known. I wanted the instrumentation to be arranged for just vocals and cello, keeping it sparse yet unhinged to reflect the vulnerability of these themes as there is nothing to hide behind.”
The video was Directed & Edited by Lara Laeverenz.
Stream it: https://broadh.lnk.to/RosieAlena
Rosie will celebrate the release with a special launch party in London, Camberwell at Dash The Henge store on 10th July, 6pm.
Order “Pixelated Images” Limited Edition Extended Version 12″ Vinyl ( + “Oh Dear, What Can The Matter Be” & “Silver Dagger”) via Bandcamp: https://rosiealena.bandcamp.com/album/oh-dear-what-can-the-matter-be-silver-dagger
Follow Rosie Alena:
Instagram | Bandcamp | Youtube | X
Visit https://rosiealena.com
