Loop: Florence

Interview: Juanita Stein

Juanita Stein

Album: America
Release Date: 2017
UK

Juanita Stein talks about Florence

Florence was another fairly quick execution in songwriting. I was watching a documentary on the Dustbowl Era in America. It struck me on many levels, but the moment of clarity came after I had learned about the image of Florence herself. Having seen the photograph a hundred times, I’ll admit I didn’t really know much about it. The subject of the infamous ‘Migrant Mother’ photograph taken by Dorothea Langue. I became kind of obsessed with her and the subject. Reading interviews from her now grandchildren and family, I suppose finding a commonality in her being a mother and a fighter and maybe even looking for some words of wisdom myself having not long before becoming a mother myself. Clearly, her path was profoundly more difficult than mine, however, at the time of watching it was a time of great upheaval universally with the influx of migrants coming into Europe and reshaping the world as we knew it. I felt that it was an incredibly relevant story to tell. And so followed the song, lyrics, melody, etc pretty instantaneously.

«Reading interviews from her now grandchildren and family, I suppose finding a commonality in her being a mother and a fighter and maybe even looking for some words of wisdom myself having not long before become a mother myself.»

On Florence, the subject of the ‘Migrant Mother’ photograph

Not all great songs come out in one breath, but it’s sure a great feeling when it does!

Having actually gone through some pretty life-altering shifts myself lately, I found the process of writing my yet unreleased, new solo album, a similar experience. Like the spiritual weight does the heavy lifting for you.

[vc_toggle title=”Lyrics: Florence”] Working for a living, working for some peace of mind Working for the freedom which you’ll never find Working for survival, working for the middle man You live in times that weigh you down Times that shake this land Florence, you’re a face among a million more You pray for something better than those dusty floors Florence, you’re a leader, there’s not many of us born You’re a lover, fighter, mother, keeper of the dawn Another year will pass, another temporary home Another child is raised, another seed is sawn You look towards the heavens, keep your feet upon the ground Do you remember how it was before you lost that round? Florence, you’re a face among a million more You pray for something better than those dusty floors Florence, you’re a leader, there’s not many of us born You’re a lover, fighter, mother, keeper of the dawn You’ll survive another storm You’ll survive so many more Working for a living, working for some peace of mind Working for the freedom which you’ll never find You look towards the heavens, keep your feet upon the ground Do you remember how it was before you lost that round? Florence, you’re a face among a million more You pray for something better than those dusty floors Florence, you’re a leader, there’s not many of us born You’re a lover, fighter, mother, keeper of the dawn Florence, you’re a face among a million more You pray for something better than those dusty floors Florence, you’re a leader, there’s not many of us born You’re a lover, fighter, mother, keeper of the dawn [/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Tracklist: America”] 1. “The Bell Hit” 2. “Dark Horse” 3. “Black Winds” 4. “I’ll Cry” 5. “Stargazer” 6. “Shimmering” 7. “Someone Else’s Dime” 8. “It’s All Wrong” 9. “Not Paradise” 10. “Cold Comfort” 11. “America” [/vc_toggle]
Live in KUTX Studio 1A

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