Acclaimed singer songwriter Wallis Bird shares ‘Power Of A Word’ – the second installment from her upcoming seventh studio album, HANDS, set to release this May. PRE ORDER HERE

Offering a thought-provoking look into the forthcoming LP, ‘Power Of A Word’ is one of the more mellow tracks on the album, exploring the depth behind actions and words. How often, at times, the power of a word at best can change everything – but at its worst it can also do the same. Despite the analytical nature of the track, it manifests a soothing essence as an affluence of melodies wrap around Wallis’ distinct vocal.

‘Power Of A Word’ propels us into Wallis’ seventh studio album to date! HANDS – also known as ‘NINE AND A HALF SONGS FOR NINE AND A HALF FINGERS’ – is a turning of the spotlight onto herself, raising issues that are sometimes far harder to face. Confronting themes of trust, alcohol abuse, stagnation, self-censorship and self-improvement. Each of them, however, is delivered by a voice uncommonly blessed with joy, ingenuity and empathy.

What’s your story as an artist? 

Hilarious, talented, intelligent and humble – I’ve been making all sorts of music since I chopped all my fingers on my left hand off as a toddler & have pursued a life of positive political power for all, ever since. I play many instruments, love rhythm and melody but notably I play a right handed guitar upside down (because of the missing finger), which looks and sounds different. I also play it loud, hard and fast so it’s unusual.

What inspired this last release?

A worldwide tectonic shift into the unstable and exposed… there’s a lot to feel right now.

Do you get inspired by other art forms?

All forms of expression move me. How someone cleans a toilet, how someone carves marble – Even abject laziness moves me because everything is performed in its certain way and has a reason. I see that as the cognitive soul of existence. Every day’s a school day.

Any funny anecdotes from the time you were recording or writing your upcoming album ‘HANDS’?

I’m not being funny here but considering all I did was break my hole laughing and crying and thinking and sweating while making this absolute gem of an album with really special people, you woulda had to be there…

What’s your favorite place or environment to write?

In my head. I could be walking in the rain to romanticise my life, or packing my shopping into my bag and a melody will make the whole world evaporate into a symphony in my mind. It is glorious.

What’s a record that shaped your creativity?

Graceland by Paul Simon. Fat of the Land by Prodigy. Dilate by Ani DiFranco. Boys for Pele by Tori Amos. When the Pawn by Fiona Apple. Vespertine by Björk. Ok Computer by Radiohead. Becoming a jackal by Villagers. The Current by Hundreds

Who is an artist or band you look up to today?

All of the above and then Tina Turner, Orla Gartland, Viktor Mann, Jane Elliott, Laurie Anderson, James Baldwin, Clementine Ford, ABBA, Sonia O’Sullivan, Colin and Johnny Greenwood

What excites you the most about what you do?

That everything can be sacred and nothing is in control.

What is your view on genres and music styles since you mix a lot of them in your music?

Nothing is sacred and everything can be controlled.

What does music and art mean to you?

It means the heart can breathe. To be understood. To eradicate bigotry. To force, coerce, cure and baffle a human into feeling love when they are festered inside. It levels every human into a ball of immortality and possibility.

How would you describe your act in one word?

Life