Tracy Bonham celebrates the 30th anniversary of her breakthrough debut album, The Burdens of Being Upright, by re-imagining the album as LIFT, the new version rewritten through a lens only gained through years of lived experience.
Two-time Grammy nominee Tracy Bonham blends classical instruments into alternative music, creating beautiful and unique songs that stay loyal to her roots as a classically trained musician. Number one charting song “Mother Mother” from the 1996 album The Burdens of Being Upright helped elevate Bonham’s career to international acclaim. The album explores themes of rebellion, identity, confusion, and anger as lived by a young woman.
VIDEO FROM: TRACY BONHAM
LIFT, set to release on November 13th via American Laundromat Records, retells the album as a confident, unapologetic female voice through strength, clarity, and creative power obtained during the last 30 years. “As the title suggests, I am lifting past burdens and old beliefs. The songs are the same songs from my 1996 debut album. They have the same fire and energy, but they are treated much differently, coming from self-healing and ultimately transcending the trauma of abusive relationships.”
* signifies bonus track
- The One
- One Hit Wonder
- Navy Bean
- Brain Crack
- Mother Mother
- Tell It To The Sky
- The Real
- Every Breath
- Sharks Can’t Sleep
- Kisses
- 30 Seconds
- Bulldog
- Sunshine*
- 50 Ft Queenie*
- I’m Not A Waif*
The lens of angst and innocence of the original album turned to healing and wisdom for the re-imagining. An example is “The One”, originally a personal song, which has been transformed into a voice for women at large. The song speaks for women who have been diminished or victimized while calling out abusers. Bonham uses LIFT to show young women to trust their rage and instincts, and that they can be used to give power, purpose, and beauty in their lives. Before stepping into the recording booth Bonham asked herself: How many women in the world have been disempowered and abused? “I feel it is important to call out the people who are abusers instead of protecting them as I once did. In the original version, I was expressive with the lyrics while hiding behind its catchy melodic pop chorus. When recording this new version, I was inspired by all the voices of people, especially women, before me who might not have had the chance to speak out.”
UPCOMING CONCERTS
Oct 2 Fri
Natalie’s Grandview (Music Hall & Kitchen) @ 8:00 PM- Columbus, OH
Oct 4 Sun
City Winery Pittsburgh @ 7:30 PM-Pittsburgh, PA
Oct 25 Sun
Alchemizing Anger – A Performance and Workshop @ 2:00 PM-Hewlett
Nov 13 Fri
Sonia Live Music Venue @ 7:30 PM –Cambridge, MA
Nov 14 Sat
Tracy Bonham “The Burdens of Being Upright” 30th Anniversary – Full Band @ 7:00 PM- New York, NY
TRACY BONHAM
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