Allison Russell’s two performances at Bluesfest were highlights for many people this year.
This French-Canadian woman of colour has been performing for twenty years, but recognition has only come since the release of her solo album ‘Outside Child’.
Championed by Brandi Carlile and picked up by Concord Records, Allison has been nominated for Grammy Awards and won the Americana Artist of The Year in 2022.
Mystery Train’s Sista Mary selected ‘Outside Child’ as her Album of The Year in 2021 and was thrilled to meet and interview Allison Russell on the Festival grounds recently.
During the wide-ranging conversation, they traced her career from the early days in Toronto with Trish Klein (The Be Good Tanyas) as Po’ Girl, to meeting and marrying J.T. Nero and forming Birds of Chicago.
Allison is a great collaborator, having worked with Rhiannon Giddens & Luther Dickinson among others, before going solo.
Listen to the interview here.
