Mia Dyson shares new album, Tender Heart
Australian singer-songwriter Mia Dyson has shared her album, Tender Heart.
The origins of the record can be traced back to that harrowing night three years ago when Dyson remembers being somewhere else entirely – a place of “darkness and nothingness.” An earthquake caused Dyson to experience an undiagnosed arrhythmia, prompting her to suddenly and unexpectedly stop breathing. Dyson was rushed to the hospital by her husband, where she had a defibrillator implanted and was left to contemplate such a close call. What she delivers is a life-affirming, grippingly honest, and unapologetically joyful rumination on all she almost lost the night she nearly lost her life.
Above all, Tender Heart is a celebration of renewed life in the wake of near-death – created with nuance and intimacy by a renowned craftsperson.
First off care to introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Mia Dyson and I grew up in the countryside in Victoria, Australia. I fell in love with playing electric guitar and then writing songs.
Tell us a bit about your recent release.
This is my first release after having survived a heart failure during the pandemic. My husband resuscitated me. I studied a lot of material on death in order to process the experience and got a lot out of that, particularly the ideas of Dr. Ira Byock in his book, “The Four Things that Matter Most I was in the middle of writing this album when it happened and the experience radically changed the album.
How do you typically go about the songwriting process? Do you have a specific method or creative routine that you follow?
I write by myself about five days each week. Three times each week I write with my husband Karl. First, we tell the muse that we are ready, and then we typically sing a song by Gillian Welch, Townes Van Zandt, Willie Nelson, or the like, until we feel a bit high from the singing. Then we write for a bit. Karl helps with lyrics.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for supporting this new release? Are there any upcoming tours, music videos, or additional content that fans can look forward to in connection with this project?
I’m heading on Tour in Australia in February & March
I am very happy to share the video for this song called “Thank You”:
Looking back on your musical career, is there a particular moment or accomplishment that you consider a turning point or a highlight?
I would say that my brush with death, and subsequently recording this album. It has really taught me down deep to cherish the time I have and to not waste it by trying to control things I cannot control. I have learned to let go better.
Last but not least, it’s time to pay it forward, what upcoming band or artist would you recommend your fans check out?
Charley Crockett