British rising star Yola will visit the Lemon Tree in Aberdeen this Thursday, May 16, as part of a nationwide tour in support of her acclaimed debut solo album, Walk Through Fire.
Produced by The Black Keys’ eight-time Grammy Award winner Dan Auerbach, Walk Through Fire was released in February on Easy Eye Sound, distributed by his longtime label Nonesuch Records, and peaked at No.1 on both the UK Americana and Country charts. ola has blazed her own trail with an unshakable passion for the soul and country music she loves. Walk Through Fire is a contemporary twist on a traditional sonic tapestry of orchestral strings, fiddle, steel and shimmering tremolo guitars. It provides the perfect soundtrack to Yola’s arresting vocals. The album features the singles ‘Faraway Look’, ‘Ride Out In The Country’, ‘Love All Night (Work All Day’, and the latest, ‘Shady Grove’.
Dan Auerbach stated: “The moment I met Yola I was impressed. Her spirit fills the room, just like her voice... she has the ability to sing in a full roar or barely a whisper and that is a true gift. She made everyone in the studio an instant believer.”
Hailing from a small town outside Bristol, Yola grew up in poverty with an unsupportive parent who “banned” her from making any music. She later became homeless, living on the streets of London and also experienced stress-induced voice loss.
Yola overcame these challenges to launch a successful sideline in writing, performing on pop hits and briefly joined Massive Attack. She was also the main writer and front woman in Phantom Limb, opening for artists including James Brown and Dr. John before pursuing her solo career in 2016.
She quickly made her mark in the US with her vocal powers and innovative songwriting winning early supporters, including Rolling Stone, the Wall Street Journal, Paste, Stereogum, NPR and The Current’s Bill DeVille who exclaimed, “She's a powerhouse of a singer: she's part Southern soul, she's part gospel and she's completely amazing. You'll want to remember her name: Yola.”
Yola will be joined for her tour dates by Lady Nade.
Star Yola