To commemorate Women’s History Month (March) and in advance of International Women’s Day on March 8, celebrated singer/songwriter Dawn Landes is sharing her “Liberated Women” Playlist. Landes curated this collection of empowering tracks as she delved into the music of the women’s rights movement for her upcoming album, The Liberated Woman’s Songbook, out on March 29th. She shares, “Here’s a collection of songs I’ve come across researching for my new album The Liberated Woman’s Songbook. Most of these are pre-1971 (the year the songbook was published) but I threw in a few others from a bit later. I am grateful that these women sang what was on their minds and paved the way.” Listen to the Playlist HERE.
Landes begins the compilation with her version of 1830’s “Hard is the Fortune of All Womankind,” a traditional ballad that was often sung at protests during the Women’s Liberation Movement in the late 60’s and early 70’s. The Carter Family sings about the lightness of the single woman and the darkness of the married one in 1927’s “Single Girl, Married Girl.” Renowned folk singer Peggy Seeger has two offerings, 1970’s “I’m Gonna Be an Engineer’ and “Lady, What Do You Do All Day?”, Dolly Parton continues the theme when she sings “Just Because I’m a Woman” from 1968. Released in 1975, Loretta Lynn’s controversial song “The Pill” rallied for women’s reproductive rights. The set also features contributions from Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Lesley Gore, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Joan Baez, Aretha Franklin and Betsy Rose/Womansong Chorus. The playlist concludes with Helen Reddy’s 1971 anthem “I Am Woman,”
The Liberated Woman’s Songbook album from Dawn Landes is produced by Josh Kaufman (Bonny Light Horseman, Bob Weir, Cassandra Jenkins) and highlights 11 musical stories from the canon of women’s activism, from 1830 to 1970. These tales could not be more prescient; women have been fighting for their voices to be heard for centuries, and these messages are just as timely today as they were then. Pre-order The Liberated Woman’s Songbook HERE.
The project began while Landes was grounded at home during the pandemic and picked up the intriguing book at a thrift shop. Then in 2022, with the overturn of Roe v Wade rolling back women’s autonomy by 50 years, Landes turned to the songbook for inspiration. “We’re suddenly back in 1971 all over again,” said Landes, “I know we’re in for a long fight and it helps to find solidarity where you can.”
Landes has built her reputation as one of music’s best independent singer-songwriters, exploring a wide variety of styles from approachable indie pop and folk to the French-language album Mal Habilleé. She has collaborated with Justin Townes Earle, Will Oldham, Norah Jones and more, and has shared the stage with Ray Lamontagne, Feist, Andrew Bird, Sufjan Stevens, Suzanne Vega and other luminaries. She has numerous film and tv credits to her name as well. Landes is currently based in Chapel Hill, NC.
Dawn Landes – Tour Dates
April 12 – Louisville, KY – 21C
May 4 – Chapel Hill, NC – Playmakers feat Alice Gerrard + more*
Aug 31 – Birmingham, UK – Moseley Folk Fest*
Sept 1 – Dorset, UK – End of the Road Festival *
Sept 3 – Malvern, UK – West Malvern Social Club
Sept 4 – Leeds, UK – Lending Room
Sept 5 – Newcastle, UK – Cluny 2
September 7 – London, England – Barbican feat. Peggy Seeger + more*
Sept 8 – Brighton, UK – Komedia Studio
Sept 10 – Copenhagen, DK – Ideal Bar
Sept 11 – Utrecht, NL – TivoliVredenburg
*Performance of The Liberated Woman’s Songbook