Allison Russell, musician, poet, singer, songwriter, and activist (co-founder of Our Native Daughters and Birds of Chicago) is an artist of power, empathy, and grace. Outside Child, (Fantasy Records) the Montreal native’s celebrated debut solo LP, hailed globally as one of 2021’s most essential albums, is a heartbreaking reflection and powerful reclamation of her childhood. Honors and awards include the 2022 Americana Music Association Award for Album of the Year, two International Folk Music Awards, the Juno Award for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year, three Canadian Folk Music Awards, two UK Americana Music Awards, three GRAMMY Award nominations and most recently, the Spirit of Americana Free Speech in Music Award. She has also been profiled in the New York Times, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone and on NPR’s Fresh Air and has performed on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE!, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Ellen, CBS Saturday, NPR’s Tiny Desk and PBS’ Austin City Limits. A renowned performer, Russell tours regularly in North America and around the world. Her acclaimed new album, The Returner, was released in September 2023. She is currently working on her debut novel, a memoir based on her life and musical journey.