Mel Parsons has today released her new album GLASS HEART - an exquisitely crafted body of work which reveals a darker, fuller side to the singer and songwriter’s acclaimed indie-folk sound.
Get GLASS HEART on iTunes / Apple / Spotify
Written across continents, Parsons started writing the record in Lyttelton, New Zealand in late 2017 and finished the last track in Los Angeles, via writing stints in far flung corners of North America - a cabin in a remote area of Washington State; rural Ohio; various locations throughout the Midwest and the far Eastern reaches of Canada’s maritime province Prince Edward Island.
GLASS HEART contains the already released singles ‘I Got The Lonely’, ‘Blame’ and ‘Just ‘Cause You Don’t Want Me’.
It also includes the new single ‘Glass Heart’, from which the record takes its name. It’s a raw and gritty track, which pairs impeccable lyricism with haunting instrumentation and showcases the magic Parsons created with the producer at the helm of the 10-track album, Mitchell Froom.
“I had been wanting to work with Mitchell for a few years, and our schedules finally aligned this year when I was on tour in America,” explains Parsons.
Widely considered one of the most idiosyncratic and eclectic producers of his era, Froom rose to prominence working on Crowded House’s debut album. He went on to work with the likes of Suzanne Vega, Elvis Costello, Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie.
“You hear about how amazing these people are - and obviously by reputation you know that they’re operating at a really high level - but it wasn’t until we started working on the songs and got into the studio that I experienced Mitchell’s quiet genius firsthand,” says Parsons.
Also in the studio in LA with Parsons was a ‘who’s who’ cast of renowned musicians, including bass player Kaveh Rastegar (John Legend, Sia), guitarist Adam Levy (Norah Jones) and drummer Ted Poor (Andrew Bird).
Back at home, Parsons is touring GLASS HEART with her own highly accomplished New Zealand-based band. Her three-date tour, which takes in Meow in Wellington on December 5; The Anthology Lounge in Auckland on December 6 and LAF in Christchurch on December 8, will be the first time Kiwi audiences have heard songs from the album played in a full set alongside well-known favourites.
Tickets available from Under the Radar.
Parsons is a full-time touring artist. In 2015, she received a Silver Scroll finalist nod for ‘Get Out Alive’. The following year she won NZCMA Best Song for ‘Alberta Sun’ and the VNZMA for Best Engineer for the DRYLANDS record. Both her debut album OVER MY SHOULDER (2009) and sophomore offering RED GREY BULL (2011) were also VNZMA finalists for Folk Album of the Year.