Award-winning singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Michele Stodart will release her third album, Invitation, on September 15 via Keepsake Recordings.

Her first new solo LP in 7 years, Invitation, was written, arranged and produced by Michele, with additional production from long-standing collaborator Dave Izumi Lynch.

The album was recorded at Echo Zoo Studios and features Michele on vocals, guitars, bass and percussion, as well as appearances from her brother and fellow member of The Magic Numbers, Romeo Stodart (piano), Andy Bruce (piano), Alice Phelps (harp), Will Harvey (violin and viola), CJ Jones (drums), Nick Pini (double bass), Joe Harvey-Whyte (pedal steel), Dave Izumi Lynch (synths).

Speaking about her forthcoming record, Michele commented:

“Invitation is an intimate, personal record, with songs that touch on themes of motherhood, relationships, mental health, transformation, endings and new beginnings. It comes from a place of inviting in the darkness, the hard times, the sadness, anger, loss, love and grief… all of the unknown feelings that get woken up inside you. To practice staying with them, no matter how uncomfortable. To understand that they are there to guide you.

I believe that it’s in the learning and listening that we can transform, grow, stay conscious and wholeheartedly true, open, honest with ourselves and others. Words are a powerful resource and we can choose to use them to connect deeply with one another. Song-writing has always been my way of trying to do just that, and I hope this album ‘invites’ us to reach out together”

The album artwork and illustrations of the crow, drawn by Joni Belaruski, symbolise some of the key themes of the album: the crow represents transformation, change and freedom.

The first single will be the opening track Tell Me.

“Tell Me” captures the listener instantly from the arresting first line “Tell me, Tell me it’s not over”. Touching on themes of cheating, heartbreak and yearning, musically and lyrically the song retains a sense of rawness and immediacy. Michele says: “I wanted to write a song set in the heat of a moment. A brave, one-sided conversation between the truth and lies in a relationship. This is a song about a love affair in denial, hiding behind a sense of control and composure”.

Alongside her role in Mercury-nominated, double-platinum-selling band, The Magic Numbers, Michele has built up an enviable reputation for her solo work and collaborations with others over recent years. She was musical director and leader of the all-female house band for this year’s UK Americana Awards – and won its coveted Instrumentalist of the Year Award in 2022. She is curator, director and performer in a successful annual series of multi-artist shows celebrating International Women’s Day, has curated stages at numerous festivals and events and promoted regular nights at Camden’s legendary Green Note venue.

She has been honing her skills as a musical director, producer and collaborator, working on stage and in the studio with a wide range of other artists including Kathryn Williams, Billy Bragg, Judy Collins, Allison Russell, David, Ford, Bernard Butler, Natalie Imbruglia, Hannah White, David Kitt, Julian Taylor, Ren Harvieu, Charlie Dore, Rachel Sermanni, Emily Barker, Diana Jones, O’Hooley & Tidow, amongst many others.

In 2019, she appeared in the Danny Boyle / Richard Curtis blockbuster film ‘Yesterday’.

To celebrate the release of Invitation, Michele will tour the UK with dates as follows:

October
5.10.23 Birmingham – Kitchen Garden Cafe
6.10.23 Chesham – The Drawing Room
13.10.23 Oxted – United Reformed Church
14.10.23 Swanage – Square & Compass
15.10.23 Winchester – The Railway Inn
18.10.23 Leamington Spa – Temperance
20.10.23 Manchester Folk Festival
27.10.23 Milton Keynes – The Stables
29.10.23 Ramsgate Music Hall

November
1.11.23 Leicester – The Musician*
2.11.23 Pocklington Arts Centre*
23.11.23 Sheffield – Cafe #9
24.11.23 Merseyside – Thornton Hough Village Club
25.11.23 Barton-upon-Humber – Ropery Hall
26.11.23 Bury – The Met
30.11.23 London – St Pancras Old Church
(Album Launch Show w/special guests)

*double bill with Hannah White

December
6.12.23 Brighton – Folklore Rooms
7.12.23 Maidenhead – Norden Farm Arts
8.12.23 Trowbridge – The Pump