Jeremy Williams-Chalmers, Arts Correspondent

In Conversation: Polly Paulusma

Wildfires, the sixth studio album from English singer-songwriter Polly Paulusma, is out on February 28th via One Little Independent Records and Wild Sound. The album spans nearly two hours and six sides of vinyl, interspersing folk instrumentation with spoken-word poetry prologues set against the backdrop of caves and rivers. Its artful presentation is the hallmark of producer Ethan Johns (Ray Lamontagne / Laura Marling / Ryan Adams); as such, it presents a step change in Paulusma’s until now largely autonomous catalogue.

Polly Paulusma 
Reproduced with permission
Polly Paulusma Reproduced with permission
Polly Paulusma bares all amidst a collection of textured acoustic guitars and rich, layered melodic flourishes. Wildfires is mellow and cozy in its production, but its honesty is bittersweet — an intimate and reflective rumination on love’s many guises, the easy parts as well as the hard. As always, Paulusma’s articulate and emotive lyrics, and her ability to convey the deepest vulnerability with vivid, sometimes nostalgic, imagery, are astounding here. The LP, brimming with both delicate earworms and expressive poetry, elicits a slow yet fierce burn. Like love, it can be gentle, enveloping, and occasionally heart-wrenching.

We caught up with Polly to learn a little more.

Hi, how are you?

I’m really well, thank you.

We are very excited about Wildfires. What can we expect from the album?

Well, it unpacks its gorgeousness over time, so expect to give it a good car journey or train ride or an hour lying on your floor with the phone off to fully appreciate its beauty. It will give itself up to you in long form. This isn’t a flash in the pan type thing. It’s like a movie for the ears. But if you give it that gift of your attention, I can promise you you will be rewarded. Rubies and talking stars and bones and lost rings. Numerous images weave throughout the entire piece. It’s not like anything I’ve ever made before. The power of the intense writing period and then the musical collaboration has just created something so special, I don’t even know how to explain it, other than to ask you to listen to it. And I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Just let it wash over you.

We are so excited about your upcoming tour. What do you have planned?

I’m alternating between two radically different shows: Part 1 and Part 2. The album has two parts, you see: Sparks and Embers, and so there’s a show for Sparks, with sparkly trees and fairy lights everywhere, and a show for Embers, which is projections and whiteness. Jon, my bass player, and I will open with a short set of songs from the first five albums and then launch into either Part 1 or Part 2 in full. Some of my superfans have already bought two tickets, so they can see the whole album live across two nights. It will be a fully immersive sonic bath of an experience. I can’t wait to bring this album live to you.

And what is your key ambition for the shows?

Immersion. The immersive experience relays the power of spoken-word passages, prologues, and their relationships with the songs. The seamless musicality of all language and its ability to form connections on all levels are remarkable.

We want to get to know a little more about your musical taste. Tell us a song that makes you:

Smile: Brown Eyed Girl, Van Morrison

Cry: Death With Dignity, Sufjan Stevens

Laugh: Man In A Shed, Nick Drake—sheds are nicer than you thought.

Feel nostalgic: Ramble On, by Led Zeppelin

Dance in the kitchen: Ramble On,, Led Zeppelin

Sing in the shower: Rock Steady, Aretha Franklin

Message a friend immediately: All I Want, Joni Mitchell




What was the best gig you have ever been to?

Devendra Banhart at KOKO many years ago

What is the best show you have ever done?

Oh god I don’t know; I have loved all of them in different ways. I did a residency of three shows at London’s Bush Hall when my first record came out, and they were beautiful. But they are all special because the audience changes every time. It’s a unique moment in time; it can never be replicated. It’s why I love gigging so much.

What stage have you not performed on that you dream of?

The Royal Albert Hall. That’s a big dream for me.

Lastly, if you could accomplish one thing by the end of the year, what would it be?

Play at the Albert Hall!

Polly Paulusma 
Reproduced with permission
Polly Paulusma Reproduced with permission
New Album Wildfires—out’ February 28th, 2025 (via One Little Independent Records & Wild Sound)

Polly will play the following UK live shows in spring 2025 in support of the new album, Wildfires:

28 February Deal Astor Theatre

1 March Grayshott Folk Club

3 March Stroud Prince Albert

5 March Birmingham Kitchen Garden Cafe

6 March Cambridge Portland Arms

7 March Luton Bear Club

8 March Newport Le Pub

9 March Clarbeston, Wales - Carmel Chapel

12 March Bristol Fringe

13 March Penzance Acorn

14 March Leamington Spa Temperance

15 March Chesham Drawingroom

16 March Sheffield Cafe #9

18 March London Green Note

19 March Brighton Folklore Rooms

20 March Winchester Hyde Tavern

21 March Ryde, Isle Of Wight - Monkton Arts

22 March Cowes, Isle Of Wight – Medina Bookshop

25 March Newcastle Cumberland Arms

27 March Liverpool St Michaels

28 March Penrith, Cumbria - Lazonby Village Hall


29 March Kingsbarns, St Andrews – Cambo House

30 March Glasgow Glad Café

Tickets for all shows available via https://www.pollypaulusma.com/tour/