Rose Cousins Debuts New Track 'Freedom' from Forthcoming Album

By: Dec. 07, 2016
Get Access To Every Broadway Story

Unlock access to every one of the hundreds of articles published daily on BroadwayWorld by logging in with one click.




Existing user? Just click login.

Natural Conclusion, the forthcoming album by acclaimed singer/songwriter Rose Cousins, is set for release February 3 on her own Old Farm Pony Records. Second single, "Freedom," is out today and may be streamed and shared HERE. "The song is about the double-edged sword of choice," says the JUNO award-winning artist. "How in order to have what you want you must often give something up. The title of the record comes from this song's bridge and I knew soon after writing 'Freedom' that Natural Conclusion would be the title as it revealed the common theme I kept running into. Acceptance, I suppose."
Lead single "Chosen" may also be streamed/shared HERE and is available now with album pre-order. A video featuring behind-the-scenes footage of the recording process as well as sneak previews of several tracks may also be viewed/shared HERE. Cousins will be touring widely in support of the release-see below for confirmed tour dates, with many more to be announced in the U.S.
Produced by Grammy Award winner Joe Henry, whom Cousins befriended in 2012, the LP was born of a deliberate break from her active touring schedule during which she traveled widely, connecting and collaborating with fellow artists, writers and producers-with no intention of producing a new album of her own. But it was through that process that the songs of Natural Conclusion began to take shape. "Rose has an astoundingly beautiful voice, a uniquely great one, and I'm a sucker for great singers," Henry says. "But the big draw for me, always, is song." Cousins responds, "Joe is a poet, a thoughtful, contemplative writer. That poetry and thoughtfulness transfers to his approach in production. It's about the right life for the song and the right musicians to make that happen."
To that end the pair brought together a trusted band of friends and colleagues at Toronto's Noble Street Studios. Henry enlisted longtime collaborators from Los Angeles: engineer Ryan Freeland, drummer Jay Bellerose and bassist David Piltch, who collectively have worked with the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Solomon Burke, Allen Toussaint and Billy Bragg, among many others. Cousins invited pianist Aaron Davis (Holly Cole, Jane Siberry) and guitar player Gord Tough (Kathleen Edwards, Sarah Harmer), both from Toronto; touring mates Zachariah Hickman (Josh Ritter, Ray Lamontagne) from Boston on bass and Asa Brosius (Anais Mitchell, Heavy Blinkers) from Halifax on pedal/lap steel and dobro; and friend and fellow Prince Edward Islander Kinley Dowling (Hey Rosetta!) on violin and viola who joined Hickman and longtime friends Jill Barber, Caroline Brookes (Good Lovelies) and Miranda Mullholland (Great Lake Swimmers) on backing vocals.
Natural Conclusion follows Cousins' widely acclaimed 2012 album We Have Made A Spark, which landed on NPR's "Best Music of 2012" list and won a JUNO Award, three East Coast Music Awards, a Canadian Folk Music Award and was nominated for the Polaris Music Prize. The LP celebrated her adopted Boston community and featured a cast of musicians Cousins has known and played music with for over a decade. It is preceded by The Send Off (2009) and If You Were for Me (2006), as well as EPs Stray Birds (2014), Miles to Go (2003) and Only So Long (2002).
A native of Prince Edward Island who lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Cousins deeply values being part of multiple music communities, and is constantly fueled by collaboration. She tours widely and has shared stages with dozens of artists including Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Staves, Lisa Hannigan, Ron Sexsmith and Nathaniel Rateliff. Her music has appeared in television shows including "Greys Anatomy."
ROSE COUSINS LIVE
February 9-Philadelphia, PA-Ardmore Music Hall
February 12-Charleston, WV-Mountain Stage
February 14-Paris, ON-Dominion Telegraph
February 15-Kitchener, ON-Centre in the Square
February 16-Toronto, ON-The Great Hall / Massey Presents
February 17-Ottawa, ON-Studio Theatre / National Arts Centre
February 18-Montreal, QC-La Sala Rossa
February 22-New York, NY-Rockwood Music Hall
February 23-Portsmouth, NH-The Press Room
February 24 & 25-Boston, MA-Club Passim
February 26-Northampton, MA-Iron Horse Music Hall
March 3-Ann Arbor, MI-The Ark
March 10-Winnipeg, MB-West End Cultural Centre
March 11-Regina, SK-Artesian
March 12-Saskatoon, SK-Broadway Theatre
March 16-Calgary, AB-Ironwood
March 17-St. Albert, AB-Arden Theatre
March 18-Victoria, BC-St. Ann's Auditorium
March 19-Vancouver BC-Wise Hall / Vancouver Folk Festival Presents
March 22-Seattle, WA-Triple Door
March 23-Sisters, OR-Sisters HS Auditorium / Sisters Folk Festival Presents
March 26-San Francisco, CA-Great American Music Hall
March 28-Los Angeles, CA-Hotel Cafe
April 3-St John's, NL-LSPU Hall
April 5-Halifax, NS-St. Matthew's Church
April 7-Moncton, NB-Tide & Boar Ballroom
April 8-Charlottetown, PEI-Confederation Centre
NATURAL CONCLUSION TRACK LIST
1. Chosen
2. Like Trees
3. Freedom
4. White Flag
5. Chains
6. The Grate
7. My Friend
8. Tender Is The Man
9. Lock and Key
10. Grace
11. Donoughmore
12. Coda

Play Broadway Games

The Broadway Match-UpTest and expand your Broadway knowledge with our new game - The Broadway Match-Up! How well do you know your Broadway casting trivia? The Broadway ScramblePlay the Daily Game, explore current shows, and delve into past decades like the 2000s, 80s, and the Golden Age. Challenge your friends and see where you rank!
Tony Awards TriviaHow well do you know your Tony Awards history? Take our never-ending quiz of nominations and winner history and challenge your friends. Broadway World GameCan you beat your friends? Play today’s daily Broadway word game, featuring a new theatrically inspired word or phrase every day!

 



Videos