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FOXES a grounding point , and I ’ d always go back to my hometown and see her and sit by her side , and I ’ d ask her what to do . And it just so happened that this one time , I voice-memo-ed what she said , and I got to the studio a few
IE : Is she still with us , I hope ? Foxes : She is , yes . She was in hospital over Christmas , which was actually really upsetting because of COVID we couldn ’ t see her , so she was on her own for three weeks , in hospital . And that was frightening . So part of the reason I wanted to put “ Kathleen ” out after that was , I knew she was coming out of hospital , and I knew she ’ d be recovering and healing , and I just thought , “ This song really needs to come out .” I wanted everyone to hear it , and I knew that it would help her .
IE : What did she say about it ? Foxes : Well , she was extremely overwhelmed , first of all . She ’ s someone who talks constantly , and she ’ s the most knowledgeable human being I ’ ve ever met in my life . But I think this was the first time that she was ever at a loss for words . She didn ’ t know what to say , and I think she shed quite a few tears .
IE : And that ’ s your ideal audience , right there .
Blackmore ' s Night days later , and we were kind of sitting there , brainstorming about what we could write about . And I pulled my VoiceNotes up and remembered her spilling all of this genius advice , all of the wise , comforting things that grandparents say . And so I wrote “ Kathleen .”
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Foxes : Exactly . And I think it ’ s so important to get those messages out . If your grandmother is going to give you some amazing advice , I think other people deserve to hear it . And it ’ s a very special privilege for me to be able to do that . I think connecting like that and passing on advice to other people is one of the most powerful things ever . It ’ s the best way to be , and I think trying to help each other as much as possible — especially now — is just crucial in this world .
Tom Lanham
18 illinoisentertainer . com may 2021