LONDON, UK (Top40 Charts/ Polydor/ Kid Gloves Records) -
Leona Naess was born in New York, grew up in London, returned to America, studied anthropology, got a record deal at 22, modeled for Calvin Klein and dated Ryan Adams, but the songwriter says she would 'rather shoot myself than listen to my own story'.
On 11th May, 2009 Leona Naess will release the exquisite 'Thirteens' on Polydor/Kid Gloves - thirteen songs from thirteen homemade lo-fi 'albums'.
The album is Naess's first LP in six years. In early 2004, on the eve of a tour to promote her third, self-titled album on Outpost/Geffen, Naess suddenly found herself mourning the passing of her father. 'Did you ever have a day where it all just came apart?' she sings on 'Learning As We Go'. This, one suspects, was that day. Naess cancelled the tour and disappeared for a while, cutting herself off from the music scene.
Recently, over the past two or three years and while living in London, Naess began playing again, teaming up with friend and producer Sam Dixon for daily writing sessions at his home, and here and there with other musician friends. 'Thirteens' brings together the best from this prolific time - astonishingly pure songs; songs of mourning and realisation and muted joy. Sadness has rarely sounded so sublime, from the slow, beautiful drift of opener 'Ghosts In The Attic' to the plaintive and confiding 'Heavy Like Sunday'.
The record holds happier moments too, reflecting Naess's unassailable mischievous side: the giddiness of 'Lipstick', the rollicking 'Unnamed', written drunkenly just before her father's death, and the spirited, rabble-rousing future single 'Leave Your Boyfriends Behind'. A version featuring the vocal talents of Mr. Ryan Adams will grace the b-side of the single out in June.
Album: 'Thirteens' is released via download on 10th May and in shops on 11th May
Single: 'Leave Your Boyfriends Behind' 7' picture disc released 8th June with exclusive version featuring Ryan Adams on the B-Side
'The singer returns with her most personal work to date' - Dazed & Confused
Leona Naess April/May 2009 UK tour dates:
With A Camp:
April 28 Birmingham Glee Club 0871 472 0400 www.glee.co.uk
April 29 Dublin Academy 0818 719 300 www.ticketmaster.ie
April 30 Belfast Spring & Airbrake 0818 719 300 www.ticketmaster.ie
May 2 Glasgow ABC2 08444 999 990 www.gigsinscotland.com
May 3 Leeds Cockpit 0113 245 4650 www.lunatickets.co.uk
May 6 London Kings College 0871 230 5595 www.seetickets.com / www.kililive.com
Also playing:
May 16 The Great Escape Festival, Brighton @ Red Roaster
