Emily Scott Robinson Announces New Project 'Built on Bones'

Acclaimed singer, songwriter and musician Emily Scott Robinson will release her new project, Built on Bones, a song cycle for the Witches of Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth, October 28 via Oh Boy Records (pre-order here). In advance of the release, the title track is debuting today.

Originally commissioned for the Telluride Theatre, these songs first came to life on stage, with Robinson directing the music and performing in the role of Hecate. Following a profuse fan response, Robinson joined forces with producer Brandy Zdan and fellow artists Alisa Amador and Lizzy Ross (of duo Violet Bell) to record these modernized adaptations.

Across the six tracks, Robinson, Amador and Ross emulate the play's three Witches, singing the tragedy of Macbeth in striking three-part harmony. In continued support of the project, Robinson has partnered with Paladin Artists to find a new theatrical home for the adaption. Additional details to come.

Reflecting on the project, Robinson shares, "In the spring of 2021, I was asked by my friend and theatre director Colin Sullivan to compose music for Shakespeare's Macbeth. The Witches of MacBeth are traditionally cast as scary, ugly and evil creatures to which we attribute the darker magic of the show and Macbeth's descent into madness. Our theory was this: What if the Witches were instead beautiful, tempting, sexy, powerful and playful? What if the Witches held the capacity, just like Macbeth, for both light and dark magic?

After all, in the time of King James I and the witch trials in England, the 'witches' targeted by the Crown were not supernatural beings-they were folk healers, spiritualists and teachers. We envisioned a version of the show where we gave the Witches a powerful voice, and in doing so, belied the history of violence against women and their magic. In making this record, Lizzy, Alisa, Brandy and I held in our hearts the intention to heal the lineage of women who came before us and declare that our power and magic cannot be controlled or snuffed out by a violent patriarchy of fearful men."

Robinson will tour in support of the new project including shows in New York and Nashville later this year. Full details to be announced soon.

In addition to Robinson (vocals, guitar), Amador (vocals) and Violet Bell (vocals), Built on Bones also features Ellen Angelico (electric guitar, baritone guitar), Josh Grange (pedal steel, piano, electric guitar), Aaron Haynes (drums), Vanessa McGowan (bass), Eamon McLoughlin (fiddle), Teddy Morgan (bass), Kaitlyn Raitz (cello) and Kristin Weber (violin, string arrangements).

Built on Bones is Robinson fourth release and follows her 2021 Oh Boy Records debut, American Siren, which landed on several "Best of 2021" lists including Rolling Stone, Stereogum, Wide Open Country and NPR Music, who praised, "mixes folk and country with gorgeous, clear-eyed examinations of faith, hope and regret...stunning."

Additionally, Stereogum declared, "a songwriter for the ages" and Rolling Stone proclaimed, "the Colorado songwriter has some of the late master's flair for narrative wit and wisdom...like Prine, Robinson can devastate with a simple description of something ordinary."

Listen to the new single here: