Today, Newcastle folk/chamber-pop artist and songwriter Ruth Lyon releases her new single “Clown”, the second track to be heard from upcoming EP ‘Direct Debit To Vogue’, out 26th November via Pink Lane Records. The new EP was produced by John Parish (Aldous Harding, PJ Harvey, Parquet Courts) at his Bristol studio, and will also feature the recently released single “Trouble”.
New single “Clown” is released today alongside an eye-catching video, created by filmmakers Antonia Luxem (Ex:Re) and Tegid Cartwright. A vivid explosion of colour and texture, surreal even without being comical or circus, the video seeks to reframe the idea of the “freak”, or perhaps, a Clown.
WATCH RUTH SINGING ‘CLOWN’
Commenting on the video’s creation, Ruth said; “Working with film-makers Antonia and Tegid with their direction, support and friendship gave me the confidence to explore a side of myself that we haven’t explored visually so far. I adore making videos but we always have a dilemma – how to portray the story and the movement without me being able to actually move that much? This is the first time I have used a mobility aid front and centre in my creative work and we had many discussions on how to frame it. We wanted to explore this idea of the inner clown; the line “though I may be bound down, I’m bonded to my own clown”. Being able to creatively explore myself through music, dance and costume gives me an immense power that societal constructs can often strip away from my community and this video is a celebration of that bold energy. I absolutely loved leading these wonderful dancers through the trees in a vibrant procession past dog walkers and morning joggers. People are gonna stare when you look different so I want to give them something to really stare at.
STREAM ‘CLOWN’
Exploring the temptation of reckless decisions, “Clown” moves at an alluringly steady pace; led by a skittering drum beat and lilting piano progressions, Ruth’s sharp, self-aware prose (“I fell into the rhythm of you, dance like a Demon till the afternoon / Got hooked on feeling nothing, nice to be numb”) weave around the instrumentals in seamless fashion.
Speaking more on the lyrical inspiration behind new single “Clown”, Ruth said:
“Jim Morrison said of himself: ‘I think of myself as an intelligent, sensitive human but with the soul of a clown which always forces me to blow it at the most crucial moments.’ I totally relate! We’ve all got that clown living inside of us, leading us down a crazy lane, tripping us up at the last turn in the road when we think it’s all going so well. But, that’s sometimes when I feel most alive.”
Influenced by acts such as Fiona Apple, Aldous Harding and Regina Spektor, on new EP ‘Direct Debit To Vogue’, Lyon explores themes of self-doubt, insecurity, emotional masochism, and the weight of arbitrary expectations – all unravelling through offbeat, sophisticated chamber pop and anti-folk, commanded by her soulful vocals and witty yet raw lyricism.
Known for her work as a key and active member of the Newcastle music scene, notably her role on the board of directors at Sage Gateshead, and vocalist and co-founder of Newcastle cult folk-rockers Holy Moly & The Crackers, Ruth Lyon is also an ardent advocate for the Disabled community through her work as an ambassador for Attitude Is Everything – a charity that aims to improve accessibility for Deaf and Disabled people in live music; Lyon herself has been a wheelchair user since the age of 21.
When she began work on her new EP, Ruth Lyon found herself feeling like crap every time Vogue magazine dropped onto her front door mat, yet still she didn’t cancel her subscription. Even as the pages prodded at insecurities, and touted physical flawlessness and assimilation as the model to strive towards, there was something strangely addictive about mindlessly flipping through it every month.
“The music industry’s the same — it’s so built upon perfection, and you have to strive to fit into these tiny boxes where people will accept you,” says Lyon. “You have to be this age, this gender, this weight, this colour. But still we wanna do it, which is crazy.”
The situation inspired the title of her new EP, ‘Direct Debit To Vogue’. It encapsulated a lot of the themes she was drawing upon in the songs, namely power in fragility, and beauty in imperfection. This turns on its head all of the societal assumptions represented by those Vogue magazines, and opens up doors to a new kind of self-acceptance and power.
Speaking to the EP as a whole, she explains, “I think it’s very, very personal, but it doesn’t sound preachy, which I really liked. I wanted to tread a line of saying something powerful and interesting and speaking honestly about stuff that is sometimes hard to talk about, but without it sounding, like, ugh.”
Equally as important as what it means to her, Lyon adds, is the impact it will have on listeners. “I want it to be very inclusive, like anybody could listen to any of the songs and come up with their own story, or it would mirror their individual circumstances,” she says. “I wanted to evoke the feeling of the kinda music that just punches you in the gut. Rather than ‘oh, this is pretty, this is nice’ — I want to emotionally drag some stuff out of people.” She concludes Direct Debit to Vogue’s journey with four simple words: “I’ve found my voice.”
Ruth Lyon’s debut appearance at SXSW earlier this year was another key point inspiration. Not only performing at the British Music Embassy showcase alongside Self Esteem and Walt Disco, she also spoke on a panel and performed at a showcase with fellow Disabled artists Eliza Hull and Lachi, from Australia and the US respectively. Here, she heard brand new perspectives on community and accessibility, and was deeply moved to witness the performances from her fellow artists which spoke to their own experiences. “It was almost like a spiritual thing for me,” she says. “I came back and realised this career is so much bigger than myself. I think I have a duty to push this as far as I can and to be as honest as I can.”
Ruth Lyon’s new EP ‘Direct Debit To Vogue’ will be released 26th November on Pink Lane Records. Ruth Lyon plays 3 headline dates in October in London, York and Newcastle, tickets here. New single “Clown” is out now.
Direct Debit To Vogue – EP track list
1. Wool
2. Stone
3. Trouble
4. Clown
5. Flood
20 Oct The Victoria Dalston – London
28 Oct The Fulford Arms – York
29 Oct The Cluny 2 – Newcastle Upon Tyne
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