The transmogrification of trauma into art | Allison Russell | TEDxNashvilleSalon

Allison Russell is an award-winning singer, songwriter, artist, and multi-instrumentalist. She is also a survivor of 10 years of severe childhood sexual, physical, and psychological abuse at the hands of the white supremacists who raised her. In this stunning TEDx talk and musical performance, Allison leads the way to a powerful, life-giving revelation: We are not defined by what we've lost. Allison Russell is an artist, activist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist of extraordinary power, talent and grace. A founding member of the acclaimed groups Our Native Daughters and Birds of Chicago (with her husband/musical partner JT Nero), the Montreal native has begun to emerge as a potent force among creative circles worldwide. On her debut solo album Outside Child (Fantasy Records / Concord), Allison unpacks the story of her traumatic childhood in a deeply moving, unforgettable song-cycle of courage, empathy, and love. Outside Child is a powerful and warm statement of hope, resilience and the redemptive power of art – asserted from a place of healing, of motherhood, of partnership – and from a new home made in Nashville. Allison has been nominated as Emerging Act of the Year by the Americana Music Association, has been named one of the top artists to watch in 2021 by Rolling Stone, and her debut album was recently placed on the long-list for the prestigious Polaris Prize. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx