The opening notes of a song can say so much and in the case of singer-songwriter Julia Sanders, she harkens back to the most passionate of modern folk that includes Neko Case, Laua Veeirs, and Kathleen Edwards. It’s a homey spin on warm coffee-themed music that summons reflection, calm and a sense of peace of mind.
Produced by John James Tourville of New West Records band The Deslondes, Morning Star unfolds a meticulously arranged musical landscape, anchored by Sanders’ transfixing vocals and a compact but thoughtful narrative style. Much of it autobiographical, Morning Star finds Sanders exploring the complexities of transitions: from woman to mother, partners to parents, and freewheelin’ musician to an adult with roots and responsibilities. The result is a poetic, often dark, yet silver-lined portrait of transformation and growth. “We’re used to thinking of adolescence as the only big transition, from child to adult, and it’s full of intense emotions, changes, angst, and searching,” Sanders says. “But as a mother, I discovered you go through a second adolescence, and Morning Star reflects that.”
Glide is premiering the tranquil “Woman In Between,” which buzzes with a tart emotional tone and warm earnest singing. There is a breezy modern Americana vibe planted atop the introspective lyrics that nod to the landscape words of Jim Lauderdale and Lucinda Williams.
“Woman in Between” is a song about matresence, that period of transition into becoming a mother. It was inspired by having my daughter, searching for music that spoke to me about the evolution happening in my life, and feeling like I was coming up short. I was going through this crazy period, and I was asking myself, “Where’s the song?” I couldn’t find it, so I wrote the song I needed to hear,” says Sanders.
“When I go out and play now, if there are mothers in the audience, “Woman in Between” is the song they want to come talk to me about. I think it’s a story that needs to be told because it can be really lonely when you’re deep in it. You feel like you’re just flailing. There’s this sense that parenthood has to be all sweet gentle magic, and it is, but the times when it isn’t—you feel like you need to push that away or you feel guilty about it.”
