New York singer songwriter Miriam Waks has a new album out entitled Tales From a Room. It is a collection of original songs with a tale for each track. You will hear both Waks’ personal experiences as well as songs focused on literary and social themes reflecting on storytelling and human connection through music.
Miriam Waks Tales from a Room
Independent
20 March 2018
Stream the full album via Spotify and watch the music video “Back to the Jungle:
Waks’ voice is potent and naturally charming. The album is full of mystique and profound lyricism you do not want to miss. Tales from a Room Track List:
1. Back to the Jungle
2. Slave to the Song
3. There Was Love
4. Undeserving Girl
5. This Room
6. Cold Turkey
7. Song for Achilles
8. Revolution
9. What My Lovers Taught Me
10. On A Late Night Flight
11. Hey! Little White Girl
Evan Hutchings – Drums / Percussion (all tracks)
Michael Rinne –.Bass (all tracks)
Mason Embry – Piano / Keys (all tracks)
Brendan Harkin – Guitars, Arrangements (all tracks)
Tribal Baroque – (Lila’Angelique and Thoth) – Violins, Vocals (Track 2)
Wanda Vick – Fiddle (Tracks 2, 3, 5, 10); Mandolin (Tracks 2, 3, 5); Dobro,(Track 9)
Jeff Taylor – Accordion (Tracks 5 & 10)
Phillip Keveren – String Arrangement (Song for Achilles)
Song for Achilles Strings:
David Davidson – Violin
David Angell – Violin
Monisa Angell – Viola
Sari Reist – Cello Styles: Singer/Songwriter, Acoustic, Folk, Americana, Rock, Pop, Soul, Country, Country Pop Similar To: Bonnie Raitt, Joni Mitchell, Alison Krauss, Amy Winehouse
About the album Tales from a Room
Tales from a Room was recorded primarily in Nashville, with more vocal sessions in New York. All songs were written by Miriam Waks. The first track “Back to the Jungle” is an homage to artists living in New York City.
“This Room” was inspired by Virginia Woolf’s “A Room of One’s Own” while “Slave to the Song” is an ode to music whose ending features a guest appearance from Tribal Baroque – the avant-garde husband/wife musical duo Lila’Angelique & Thoth (subject of the oscar-winning documentary “Thoth”). Another literature-inspired track on the album is the homosexual love ballad “Song for Achilles” (based on Madeleine Miller’s ‘Song of Achilles’) which sees Miriam assume the mythical identity of Achilles’ lover Patroclus . The politically charged rock anthem “Revolution” speaks to our politically volatile times. “Hey! Little White Girl” is a humorous jab at her own ‘whiteness’ as well as a celebration of the African-American artists she grew up listening to.
All the album artwork is by Kristina Chan, with each song lyric in the booklet having its own illustration by Chan. These add to the whimsical, storytelling feel of the project.
About Miriam Waks
New York based Miriam Waks made her performing debut at the tender age of 10 singing solo at the Sydney Opera House. Since that time she has developed into a highly original artist and vibrant performer who sings in 17 languages and a plethora of musical styles. She has performed at venues and residencies across the globe including New York, Buenos Aires, France, Cuba, Edinburgh, London, Italy, Brussels, India, Macau, Hong Kong & Australia.
Tales from a Room is her first originals album and features 11 songs penned by Miriam, marking her transition from song-interpreter to song-writer. In this album, Miriam traverses a range of musical and thematic landscapes including re-interpreting the feminist writings of Virginia Woolf, assuming the mythical identity of Achille’s lover Patroclus, and playfully poking fun at her own “whiteness”.
Miriam performs with various outfits in NYC and is thankful to live in a place that nurtures the creative passion of so many artists.
