Melissa Etheridge Rises After Son's Loss on New Album 'Rise': 'He Was My Greatest Teacher'

Singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge approaches her new album, 'Rise', with a blend of joy and reflection, exploring dark and personal themes. This is her first album of original material since 'The Medicine Show' in 2019, marking a period of six to seven years without releasing new music about her life and experiences. Etheridge faced the pandemic and the painful loss of her son Beckett in May 2020 due to complications from opioid addiction, which led her to deeply analyze her life and translate her emotions into songs.

Etheridge decided to create an album that was a form of art, with the goal that listeners could enjoy it anywhere, from their cars to airplanes. She seeks to offer comfort and hope through her music, as she has done throughout her career. 'Rise' is her seventeenth album and the first with Sun Records, and the artist hopes that this work will become part of her repertoire, just as her successful album 'Yes I Am' from 1993, which reached six platinum records, did.

The song 'Call You' was the first that Etheridge wrote for 'Rise', directly addressing the loss of her son and how she has learned to live with that pain. The artist describes the song as an expression of the need to connect with those who are no longer physically present, but maintaining hope and the celebration of life. Etheridge seeks to model resilience for her other children and for anyone who has experienced a loss.

The artist explains that 'Call You' is the basis of 'Rise', an album about surviving, loving, and finding a way not to drown in guilt and shame. The album also includes songs like 'Bein' Alive', 'Matches', 'Don't You Want a Woman', 'If You Ever Leave Me', and 'Davina', combining upbeat themes with more emotional songs, and also features the collaboration of Chris Stapleton on the song 'The Other Side of Blue'.

Etheridge highlights the collaboration with Shooter Jennings, whom she describes as a music lover and a perfect partner in the creative process. Jennings, who comes from a musical family, offered support without interfering, providing guidance when needed. Etheridge mentions that Jennings was moved and excited by her work, which created a positive collaborative environment. The collaboration with Chris Stapleton on 'The Other Side of Blue' arose from a deep conversation about their lives and experiences, resulting in a creative and moving experience.

Etheridge began her 'Rise' tour on March 26 in Detroit and has dates scheduled through the summer, including performances with Wynonna Judd. In addition to her new album, Etheridge has been nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and is focused on promoting 'Rise' and sharing her music live. She identifies with Bruce Springsteen, who is dedicated to music as his vocation, and sees her work as a way to write about her life experiences, which gives her purpose and keeps her music fresh.