After an Incredible Brush With Dolly Parton, Fanny Lumsden Celebrates Her ‘Traditions’
Lumsden talks Dolly Parton, Paul Kelly and her new album, the followup to her ARIA Award winner "Hey Dawn."
Fanny Lumsden, the Australian singer, songwriter, and bandleader, recently celebrated her fifth studio album, Traditions, which was released on October 30th. Lumsden's journey to this point has been marked by an unforgettable encounter with the late country music icon, Dolly Parton. In 2023, Parton announced Fanny's LP Hey Dawn as the winner of the Best Country Album at the ARIA Awards, marking the pinnacle of her career so far. However, Fanny has many more milestones ahead of her.
The album, produced by Steven Schram, delves into the significance of traditions and how they shape individuals. In her music, Fanny explores various traditions, some of which she embraces while discarding others that no longer align with her values and aspirations. In a recent interview with Billboard, Fanny revealed her intention to reconcile or resolve some traditions, while setting aside or discarding others altogether.
She had undergone a personal spring cleaning exercise, both in terms of her family traditions and her approach to Australia's history, acknowledging its flaws and finding ways to change or celebrate certain aspects.
Fanny's band, The Daddies (also known as the Prawn Stars), played an instrumental role in the album's creation, recording live for nine days. The result is a deeply personal and unflinching narrative, featuring the anthemic title track, the singles "Difficult Woman," "Mother's Eyes," and "By The River" (a collaboration with Paul Kelly), and a heartfelt exploration of her family relationships.
A strong emphasis on family is evident throughout the album, with Fanny emphasizing the importance of embracing the mess and celebrating both the accepted and controversial traditions that have shaped her life. She has a deep appreciation for the women in her life, including her long-time collaborator and friend, Paul Kelly. In a touching anecdote, Fanny shares her experience of receiving a book by the same poet as a gift from Kelly on their tour stop in Dublin, highlighting the strong bond they share.
As Fanny continues to tour in support of Traditions, she pays homage to her roots, as well as the iconic Dolly Parton, who passed away on August 25th at the age of 80. Despite the loss, Fanny remains in awe of Parton's impact, stating that living during the same era as her and the profound influence she's had on people's lives makes her feel incredibly fortunate.
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