Greta Ruth‘s new album, Holy Omen, comes out September 8 with a release show on September 9 at the Hamline Church United Methodist. We had the chance to talk to Greta in April 2021. I was very taken with her experimental folksy mysticism. The ethereal feel carries into the new album but with a welcome lightness. We’re delighted to get a look into the album.
Holy Omen seems to have be a lighter, more optimistic album that The Fawn. It feels like the glimpse of hope I saw in By Red Work in The Fawn has pushed forward to this new album. Do you feel this shift or progression too?
Yes, absolutely, and I’m glad that that is translating. I used to feel like I could only write sadder or darker songs, but over time I’ve realized that that was because I was in a darker part of my life. The Fawn represents a time when I was shrouded in a world view, and also in certain situations, as well as in a version of myself that all were not leading me anywhere positive. Although I did actually write three of the songs on Holy Omen during that time period (“Cuseo Hands,” “Blue Edge of Light,” and “Hush”) I wrote most of these songs after I experienced personal transformation.
You’re spot on in pointing to the connection to “By Red Work” — that song was all about the internal alchemy I had to undergo to find “a way out” of the place I had been. So Holy Omen is more me on the other side of that, me during or right after getting “out,” so to speak.
The idea of sharing music that is more uplifting and positive is exciting to me. I hope those lighter moments on the album can bring some brightness and joy to others as well.
You have such a unique sound, like sea salt on caramel, there are times when the musicality of the instruments and the haunting atonality of your voice seem like they should clash but they blend to a deeper, better sound. How do you create that perfect marriage of sound?
That is very kind of you! For some reason, I have always been drawn to dissonance and complex harmonies. I think I have a curious ear that craves new combinations, but I also think it’s just what matches what I’m trying to say lyrically and as an artist most of the time. Then, when I finally do play something like an E major triad, to me there’s nothing that sounds sweeter, more restful, or more pure.
I think that part of the marriage you’re describing comes from the fact that in most cases I write my guitar and vocal parts simultaneously — they truly are married, in that way. The only song that didn’t happen like that on this album was “Lingereth,” and I think it’s easy to hear the difference. I wrote the lyrics and melody of “Lingereth” acapella in my car, and then later harmonized it with simple chords on guitar.
I’m very grateful to everyone who was involved with the music on the album because they really heard and understood what I was doing musically and took it somewhere I wouldn’t have been able to on my own.
Will you be doing videos for this album? The videos for The Fawn helped to highlight the mysticism of the lyrics. Can you give us a hint as to what we might see?
I really adore making videos for songs and dreaming up the visual worlds behind the lyrics. However, since having our son last year I haven’t had as much free time to get into those kinds of projects. I can’t promise anything right now, but I always have plenty of ideas… There is a fairy-tale element to the way I picture Holy Omen visually, so I would love to explore that further. The symbolism of the idea of “true love’s first kiss” is so rich and exciting to me, and I would love to feature some of the nature imagery from the lyrics. One other common recurring image on the album is “ghosts,” which would be very fun to explore visually as well.
I also would very much be open to collaboration in this area to expand beyond my own vision and limitations.
Please tell us about the team of musicians on this album, I am particularly a fan of the saxophone.
So am I! I actually have been a fan of Brandon Wozniak, who played the saxophone on the album, since I was first going out to see jazz shows in the twin cities as a teenager, so it’s been a huge honor to get to work with him. He’s known for his work in Atlantis Quartet and Dave King Trucking Co, but he plays in a lot of different groups around town. We met a few years ago and I was very excited that he was interested in getting involved with my music. We played a few shows together before recording, and he will be at the release show performing both solo and with me as well.
I was also so lucky to have Andrew Broder (Fog, Joe Rainey) reach out to me and offer to help with the album. He really respected the sparseness of the production and added some truly magical string arrangements to “Cuseo Hands” and “Thick of Night.” My longtime collaborator, Cecelia Swanson, recorded the cello and her fiancé and friend also helped to record the violin parts. Cecelia and I used to be in a band together in high school.
My husband, Zach Waldon, played piano on “Holy Omen” and “Thrush Song” in addition to recording and mixing the album. We recorded the piano at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in a beautiful room full of oil paintings. Zach’s friend, Joe Svobodny, played and recorded the bass for “Turn Salt,” which really added a lot to that song. Incidentally, Zach and Joe used to be in a band together as well.
Please tell us about your upcoming album release.
The album is going to be out on streaming and BandCamp on Friday, September 8th — I can’t believe it’s so soon! Then, on Saturday September 9th I’m going to be hosting a release show at Hamline Church United Methodist in Saint Paul at 6:00pm. Like I mentioned, Brandon Wozniak will be performing a solo set and then I will be performing the full album. He’ll also be playing with me on “Lingereth,” “Wait For Spring,” and “Hush.” I was really hoping to do something different for this release, to do something that would reflect the imagery and feeling of the album, and the gorgeous stained glass and resonant sanctuary of Hamline Church really made that dream come true.
I would love to see everyone there! Tickets start at $10 and come with an album download (for $15 you also get a lyric booklet, and for $30 you also get some limited edition guitar string earrings featuring vintage Czech glass) and you can find them here or at the show: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/greta-ruth-holy-omen-album-release-show-tickets-675255365977
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