‘It’s been an evolutionary process alongside motherhood.’

Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rachael Dadd will be back on home turf this week, performing a headline show at The Jam Jar to celebrate her latest release Flux. I caught up with Rachael to speak about her latest release, how it took so long in the making and how her process for collaboration comes into fruition.

First things first, are you excited for a homecoming show? 

Totally! Bristol people and places have really inspired a lot of the material on Flux plus it was recorded in Bristol with Jim Barr. I moved to Bristol 15 years ago for the music scene and it’s been a nurturing place to explore develop and collaborate. So many people have given me energy and inspiration, some directly but many indirectly. There’s just a really positive progressive movement that I can’t help but tap into. It might very well end up being the highlight of this tour! And it’s monumental for me as it’s my first full band live show in Bristol

Your latest release, FLUX, has been 5 years in the making. How much did it develop from the initial demos and recordings?

It’s been an evolutionary process alongside motherhood. The record almost feels like one of the brood! A lot of the songs were conceived as ideas while I nurtured my babes, ran around after my toddlers, watched my kids start to find independence in the world. The songs have also now found independence, with many others collaborating with me along the way.

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There’s lashings of pastoral imagery on the album, where did these inspirations originate?

I grew up in the countryside and spent lots of time at sea as a kid. All that’s in my psyche and I’ll gravitate to the woods in Bristol or the hills beyond or the river and the sea. When I’m hurting that’s where I find solace.

There are heaps of collaborations on this album including Jim Barr of Portishead and Kate Stables and Rozi Plain of This Is The Kit. How do you find the process of collaborating with others? Especially in relation to FLUX.

It’s so important to me to collaborate. I finally realise that the reason I have perused music through all the rough times, all the juggling, is for connection. All those on the record are important friends, old and new,  and many are on tour with me right now. Music is a medium to deeply connect with people. We’ll all be friends hanging out when we’re in our 70s I expect!

What can we expect from your show at The Jam Jar this week?

The four musicians on tour with me are: old friend Marcus Hamblett who produced Flux and will be opening the stage with his own magic, multi-instrumentalist Emma Gatrill who’s been my side-woman for ten years, Stroud drummer Rob Pemberton who has played an instrumental part in evolving the sound of Flux and is a total dream to play live with, and bassist Alex Heane who has joined the project since the release of Flux and takes us up another level on the soulful vibes scale. Together we will play the entirety of Flux and some older numbers too. I feel so privileged and lucky to play music with these people and to get to share it with the lovely Bristol crowd. I anticipate it will be a life affirming moment of connection at a time of uncertainty when we all need to hold and be held. The Jam Jar is a favourite venue of mine and will provide the perfect space for the occasion!

Image by Rosie Reed Gold

Rachael will be performing at The Jam Jar on February 7. For tickets, visit www.seetickets.com/event/rachael-dadd/the-jam-jar/1464614

To listen to Rachael’s latest release Flux, visit https://rachaeldadd.bandcamp.com/album/flux