Allison Russell ft. Brittney Spencer – Black Lavender

Allison Russell recently announced her third studio album, In The Hour of Chaos, arriving on July 10th via Fantasy Records.

The album, produced by Russell and Dim Star, is a fervent plea for connection in this time of alienation, isolation and dread. It’s an album that is meant to make you feel GOOD and, in these times, feeling good is a radical act. Today, this Juneteenth, she shares the album’s latest song, “Black Lavender” featuring the earthy soul of Brittney  Spencer.

Of “Black Lavender,” Russell notes:

We are swimming in rivers – flash floods! – of adrenaline right now. Black Lavender is a song about extending grace and soothing comfort to a chosen sister… the kind I have trouble extending to myself… But the beautiful thing is, she’s the same way – and she gives it all back and some. Brittney Spencer is a voice for all the ages who we NEED right now. We saved this song for Juneteenth for a reason. Black women have been showing up for each other in this way as long as we’ve been here, and we can’t stop won’t stop now!

Incomparable

That’s what we all are, you know?

Precious, Magical

The songs on Allison Russell’s In the Hour of Chaos are meant to reverse the tides that pull us farther and farther apart, even from ones we love the most. It’s only fitting that Russell leaned into her vibrant and ever expanding community of artists and friends to create a collaborative song suite that goes far beyond a succession of features.

On Sunday, June 28, Allison will join community leader Rep. Justin Jones (TN-52) in a conversation at The National Museum of African American Music in Nashville at 3pm CT about “Building Civic Engagement and Community In The Hour Of Chaos.” They will discuss how to remain strong and create joy during tumultuous times; in the midst of targeting, how to find strength in ourselves and for our neighbors.

Today’s release of “Black Lavender” follows recent single “Cold April,” a track showing  intergenerational depth by featuring her tourmate Kara Jackson —  a recent collaborator of the Gorillaz and formerly the U.S. National Youth Poet Laureate; Denitia – a CMT Next Women of Country selection who was also featured in Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony; and the Explore! Pop Choir featuring Russell’s daughter, Ida. It also follows the early song

 “No Springtime” featuring Joy Oladokun and Julie Williams.

The songs on In the Hour of Chaos unfold like a series of one act plays with Allison, who joins with an artist(s) from her rainbow diaspora, many from her adopted home in Nashville. Tactile, vulnerable, raw, soothing, sensual, sad – each is a little capsule of humans being fully human and fully present. Allison Russell curates her collaborators with care including Norah Jones’ intimate ease on “Really Real” and Ruby Amanfu’s vulnerable grace on “Just Like Saturday” – all serve as portals into our flawed, fantastic, interconnected lives.

Elsewhere, Devon Gilfillian brings effortless warmth to “Love is a Golden Lion,” Kashus Culpepper lends grit and swagger to “Searchlight,” Chibueze Ihuoma adds an otherworldly tenderness to “Two Stars,” and Ahya Simone’s incomparable harp closes the circle with the haunting “Good Omens.” Across these songs, Russell holds the center effortlessly, while illuminating the voices of her chosen family. She turns these throughlines into golden thread, strengthening as she weaves, the only protection she knows against the chaos of this hour.

Allison Russell just completed her second run on Broadway as Persephone in the 8x Tony Award winning musical Hadestown. She took over the role in November 2024 initially, after spending much of that year opening for Hozier on his Unreal Unearth Tour supporting his arena run on all US dates and throughout Europe. She made her Billboard Hot 100 debut thanks to their duet “Wildflower & Barley.”

Russell recently took the stage at the JUNO Awards to pay tribute to fellow Canadian, Joni Mitchell. The performance was a duet between her and Sarah McLachan who she will tour with throughout the summer. Dates kick off on July 1st in Franklin, TN.

Allison Russell Tour Dates

Jul 1 – FirstBank Amphitheater – Franklin, TN*

Jul 3 – Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park – Atlanta, GA*

Jul 7 – TD Pavilion at The Mann – Philadelphia, PA*

Jul 8 – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater – Bridgeport, CT*

Jul 10 – Leader Bank Pavilion – Boston, MA*

Jul 11 – Forest Hills Stadium – Forest Hills, NY*

Jul 12 – BankNH Pavilion – Gilford, NH*

Jul 14 – Artpark Mainstage Theater – Lewiston, NY*

Jul 15 – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill – Sterling Heights, MI*

Jul 17 – Acrisure Amphitheater – Grand Rapids, MI*

Jul 18 – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island – Chicago, IL*

Jul 19 – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park – Indianapolis, IN*

Jul 21 – PNC Pavilion – Cincinnati, OH*

Jul 23 – Saint Louis Music Park – Maryland Heights, MO*

Jul 24 – Starlight Theatre – Kansas City, MO*

Jul 26 – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory – Irving, TX*

Jul 30 – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre – West Valley City, UT*

Aug 1 – Toyota Pavilion at Concord – Concord, CA*

Aug 2 – The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park – San Diego, CA*

Aug 4 – Greek Theatre – Los Angeles, CA*

Aug 5 – Greek Theatre – Los Angeles, CA*

Aug 7 – Hayden Homes Amphitheater – Bend, OR*

Aug 8 – Chateau Ste Michelle Winery – Woodinville, WA*

Aug 9 – Chateau Ste Michelle Winery – Woodinville, WA*

Oct 15 – The Orange Peel – Asheville, NC

Oct 22 – Massey Hall – Toronto, ON

Oct 23 – Theatre Beanfield – Montreal, QC

Oct 24 – Imperial Bell – Quebec City, QC

Oct 25 – National Arts Centre – Southam Hall – Ottawa, ON 

Oct 27 – Higher Ground The Ballroom – South Burlington, VT

Nov 1 – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN

Nov 3 – Burton Cummings Theatre – Winnipeg, MB

Nov 5 – Winspear Centre – Edmonton, AB

Nov 6 – Grey Eagle Resort & Event Centre – Calgary, AB

Nov 9 – Chan Centre for the Performing Arts  – Vancouver, BC

*supporting Sarah McLachlan 

#allisonrussellmusic