‘Barbed Wire Fence’ is the new single from UK songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ruth Theodore, a whimsical and rebellious anthem that celebrates queer love, freedom and defiance. The track is the final single to be released in advance of her eagerly anticipated new album I Am I Am, due for release on May 3rd, 2024, accompanied by a video taken on Theodore’s phone of the location that features in the song’s lyrics.
Theodore recently announced her signing to Ani DiFranco’s renowned record label in the US, Righteous Babe Records. Speaking of the signing, DiFranco says:
“The last time I played the London Palladium Ruth Theodore was on the bill with me. I watched from the wings and was inspired by her authenticity, her connection with my audience, and her free artistic spirit. That night I saw her as a true Righteous Babe. Last fall, when she reached out with her new album, it seemed the perfect time to reunite and help introduce her to North America.” - Ani DiFranco
Theodore’s broad musical skill set and original style have led her into impressive company, performing, recording and co-writing with top musicians across the pond. The new music was recorded in upstate New York by Eli Crews (Tune-Yards) and co-produced by Theodore and long-standing collaborator, Grammy and Tony award-winning US bassist/producer Todd Sickafoose (Anais Mitchell including "Hadestown" / Ani DiFranco) and Swiss-American percussion virtuoso Mathias Kunzli (Regina Spector / Lauryn Hill).
‘Barbed Wire Fence’ takes us on a romp along the picturesque River Itchen in the British countryside. Theodore’s whimsical and rebellious anthem celebrates queer love, freedom, and defiance. Through poetic verses and catchy choruses, Theodore weaves a tale of exploration that paints a vivid picture of the river's charm juxtaposed with the apparent absurdity of the man-made barriers she encounters - both physical and metaphorical. Through this one-woman march, Theodore lifts the spirits and embraces the adventure ahead. The repeated refrain of "buttercup, we're coming up" serves as a rallying cry against the physical restrictions imposed on the many by the British landowning classes. Whether it's navigating private property or challenging political ideologies and social prejudices, the song's theme resonates with the universal desire for freedom and the courage to defy limitations. ‘Barbed Wire Fence’ wants us to question and challenge the barriers that confine us, both physically and mentally, while embracing the spirit of adventure and solidarity in our journey towards liberation.
Theodore’s music reflects her naturally transient personality, avoiding being pinned down in all aspects of life from sexuality to physical location; Theodore’s compositions, like their creator, delve deep into various realms and genres whilst never lingering long enough to become entangled in the details. With this panoramic vista, Theodore creates and performs with a unique and instantly recognisable style that effortlessly pushes the boundaries of gender and genre and defies the confines of the conventional "singer-songwriter" archetype.
I Am I Am follows on from her last album Cactacus, which was released in 2016 and produced by Grammy award winning producer Todd Sickafoose. The album gained support from the UK national media, ranking #1 in fRoots album of the month and launched to a sold out Borderline show in Soho, followed by a string of UK tours and a successful European band tour in 2019. It was on returning home from Europe that Ruth was diagnosed with breast cancer. Successful chemotherapy treatment followed that spanned the worst of the pandemic and beyond. However, Ruth channeled her energy into what she loves, creating music every day and in early April 22 flew out to rejoin her US collaborators Todd Sickafoose (Ani DiFranco/Anais Mitchell) and Mathias Kunzli (Regina Spektor) to record the new material. The new record I Am I Am is the first of the fruits of this productive and collaborative period to be released and was recorded in Woodstock, New York.
UK TOUR DATES
Cafe #9, 24th April, Sheffield
The New Adelphi Club, 25th April, Hull
Border Club, 26th April, Hawick, Scotland
Hyde Tavern, 4th May, Winchester
Hyde Tavern, 6th May, Winchester
The Folklore Rooms, 7th May, Brighton
The Water Rats, 8th May, London
