Every day is opening night.

Allison Russell

Allison Russell

The incredible Allison Russell joins us On The Couch this week while enjoying her final weeks Livin’ it up on Top as Persephone in Hadestown.

Among many other incredible accomplishments, Allison performs alongside The Rainbow Coalition, a band of Black and POC, queer, and marginalized musicians and has affirmed her place among today’s most vital artists with her impressive discography and Grammy history.

Read our full interview below, where Russell talks about finding parts of herself in Grenada, and how she’s been singing without shame since age 15.

What do you consider to be your best asset?  
My imagination.

What was your proudest moment?
When I won a Grammy Award for my song Eve Was Black and then got to play Both Sides Now with Joni Mitchell on the Grammy telecast soon after. I’ll never get over it. And when I got cast as Perspehone in my favourite musical Hadestown! My Broadway debut! They’re tied!

What is your favorite drink?
Matcha and dry white wine –  never together though

What is your favorite food?
Pomegranates

What is your favorite condiment?
Mustard and hot sauce

What is your current obsession? 
Hot Yoga

If you could give up one of your vices, what would it be?
Overthinking everything

What is the one professional accomplishment you long for most? 
EGOT !! So far I’ve only got the G, so I’ve a long way to go…

What is the one thing you waste too much money on?  
Skin care products and makeup for stage

What is the one activity you waste too much time doing? 
Binge watching Korean period pieces

What do you consider to be the single greatest threat to your health?
Insomnia and stress

What’s the single best trait you inherited or learned from your parents? 
Love of music

What’s the single worst trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
Procrastination

What in the world most thrills you?
My daughter — thrills and terrifies me in equal measure

What current trend in popular culture most irritates you? 
I’m not a huge fan of balletcore and giant bows — no shade though to those who indulge.

What was the most embarrassing moment you’ve ever experienced on the job?
The first time I ever sang publicly I cried and I couldn’t get the words out. I was about 15.  I almost ran away but the fiddler who had called me up to sing with the band told me “the worst is over now, you might as well sing.” So I did. I’ve been singing without shame ever since.

What is your favorite place in the world?
Grand Anse Beach in Grenada — I went there with my Grenadian biological paternal family when I met them for the first time about a decade ago. I don’t know if it’s the beauty of the beach or the joy of finding my family that makes it so sacred to my spirit. Both, probably.

What is the most important trait you seek in a romantic partner?
Humour, Patience, Intelligence, Compassion — all equally important.

Do you prefer the company of dogs or cats? 
Dogs

What would have to happen to make today the best day of your life?
We would have to collectively break the cycles of Trauma, Violence, Vengeance, Abuse, War and Silence. That would be the best day of my life.

What is your personal motto? 
We are not what we’ve lost, we are more than the sum of our scars, we are the Dust of the Stars. We are a Beloved Community every time we choose to be.  Our Circle is Unbroken, Our Circle is Whole, None Above and None below.