Tami Neilson shares beautiful video for “Manitoba Sunrise at Motel 6”

“It was a freezing cold February morning in the middle of a cross-Canada winter tour. I was missing my boys terribly and I took a photo of the sunrise upon waking, captioning it with ‘Manitoba Sunrise from Motel 6’ and immediately began the lyrics,” says Neilson. “They sat in my notebook for months until the day I heard the news of Glen Campbell’s death. I was so saddened and felt like I’d somehow lost a part of my childhood, another part of my father, who had died two years earlier. I picked up my guitar and wrote the music and melody in an homage to him, a way to express my sadness, celebrate his legacy of music and thank him in my own little way.”
 

For the past decade, the Canadian-born, New Zealand-based singer/songwriter has been the queen of her adopted homeland’s country and roots music scenes. She picked up handful of Best Country Album awards at the New Zealand Music Awards and won the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll for excellence in songwriting.

With her new album, SASSAFRASS!  Neilson takes a giant step that should only bring her more widespread acclaim. On this 11-track effort, she places a heavier emphasis on soul music while not abandoning her country and rockabilly roots. Neilson conjures up a wonderfully retro style that sounds like it could be a lost gem from the late ’50s or early ’60s; however, beneath the classic veneer are frank, highly relevant lyrics as present on the sassy single “Stay Outta My Business.”

Neilson characterizes her new album as a “mouthy lovechild of the current social climate and my own experiences as a woman, mother and daughter.” The songs address the obstacles she has faced simply because she is a female. “It’s also my attempt,” she shares, “at challenging a society that doesn’t yet treat women equally in order to shape a better future for my children.”

Neilson’s confident vocals are undoubtedly abetted by her being surrounded by familiar collaborators. She co-produced SASSAFRASS! with Ben Edwards, the co-producer of her last two critically acclaimed albums, Dynamite! and Don’t Be Afraid. Backing her up in the studio was her talented band, the Hot Rockin’ Band of Rhythm: Joe McCallum (drums), Mike Hall (bass), Brett Adams (guitar) and Neil Watson (guitar and pedal steel), who have toured with her around the globe over the past three years. A brass section and strings enhance the album’s classic qualities.  

TAMI NEILSON SASSAFRASS! EUROPEAN TOUR 2018
25 AUG: Tønder (DK) @ Tønder Festival
26 AUG: Tønder (DK) @ Tønder Festival
28 AUG: Leiden (NL) @ Q-Bus
29 AUG: Deventer (NL) @ Burgerweeshuis
30 AUG: Lier (BE) @ Ripspique
03 SEP: Paris (FR) @ Boule Noire
04 SEP: London (UK) @ Bush Hall – with Luke Winslow-King
06 SEP: Zaragoza (ESP) @ Rock & Blues
07 SEP: Madrid (ESP) @ El Sol
08 SEP: Valencia (ESP) @ Loco Club
09 SEP: Barcelona (ESP) @ Rocksound
11 SEP: Bonn (DE) @ Harmonie
12 SEP: Berlin (DE) @ Roadrunners Paradise
13 SEP: Frankfurt (DE) @ Das Bett
14 SEP: Hamburg (DE) @ Nochtspeiche