Brandi Carlile on Returning to Herself, Joni Mitchell, and the Stormy Genius of Elton john
Quality journalism is vital, and The Independent is committed to delivering trusted reporting on issues ranging from reproductive rights to climate change, without paywalls. Your support enables us to continue this crucial work.
Brandi Carlile, the 44-year-old, 11-time Grammy-winning US country-rock star, is experiencing a remarkable moment. Having recently topped UK charts with her collaboration album with Elton John,Who Believes in Angels?,she’s being embraced in Britain – the homeland of both her musical hero and her wife,Catherine – as a newly discovered talent. But Carlile is far from an overnight success; she’s a long-gestating artist,20 years into a prosperous US career,now poised to share her most intimate work yet.
Carlile’s eighth solo album, Returning to Myself, due out october 24th, is a deeply personal collection of stories and ruminations. The album, she describes as a “mid-forties f*ing ‘a-ha!’ moment,” is steeped in the “otherworldly” textures of co-producer Aaron Dessner (of The National and Taylor Swift fame) and features a guest appearance from Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon. It represents a turning point,a place where she’s “stopped being embarrassed of my younger self.”
The album’s narrative unfolds in reverse, beginning with the title track, penned after a period of exhaustion following a performance at the Hollywood Bowl alongside musical icons like Joni Mitchell and Elton John. “I was approaching a crash and burn,” Carlile admits, explaining the need for respite after a six-year journey dedicated to supporting mitchell’s recovery following a 2015 brain aneurysm.
Mitchell’s triumphant return to the stage at the Newport Folk Festival in 2022, seated in an armchair and performing a full show for the first time in over 20 years, was a watershed moment. Carlile humbly downplays her role, emphasizing that Mitchell’s recovery was entirely her own achievement.
The album also features a track titled “Joni,” a playful tribute to the legendary singer as a “wild woman” who “will drink you under the table.” Carlile recounts a memorable night at the Grammys where Mitchell spent the evening critiquing the performances and enjoying a night of blackjack. “When Joni smiled and called me an ahole,I knew she loved the song,” Carlile shares.
not all of Carlile’s songwriting is introspective. “Church & State,” the album’s most overtly political track, is a furious response to the appropriation of Christian values by the current US administration. “It’s just straight up about the separation of church and state and the creeping in of theocracy,” she explains, emphasizing the importance of keeping religious dogma separate from legislation. Her concern extends to the potential erosion of rights, including marriage equality, prompting a conversation with her daughter about the possibility of relocating to Canada.
Carlile’s journey hasn’t been without its anxieties. She admits to a fear that “one day the phone won’t ring,” a sentiment that has driven her to embrace every opportunity. Returning to Myself is, in part, an exercise in self-regrounding, a reminder of who she is at her core.
Ultimately, Brandi Carlile’s story is one of resilience, artistic growth, and the power of connection. It’s a story told through the lens of a uniquely gifted artist who has weathered hardship, embraced vulnerability, and emerged with a voice that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. Especially if you’ve the voice of the vengeful angels; ther’s few that are a patch on Brandi Carlile.’Returning to Myself’, the new album from Brandi Carlile, is out on 24 october.
