THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

"the truth is" marks a creative departure for Ferrick in its collaborative approach and an evolution in the sound she has developed over the course of her expansive career and catalog. Recorded live with a full band and produced by Ferrick, mixed by Grammy Award winner Trina Shoemaker (Brandi Carlile, Sheryl Crow) and engineered by Rafi Sofer (James Taylor, Juliana Hatfield), the truth is manages to tread new ground while still maintaining a strong relationship with Ferrick's older work.

Ferrick is joined by Natalia Zukermanon vocals, lap steel and dobro, Matt Pynn (Lucinda Williams, Evan Dando) on pedal steel, Richard Gates (Richard Thompson, Suzanne Vega) on bass, Ro Rowan (Bob Forrest, Tiffany) on cello and both Steve Scully (Howie Day, Juliana Hatfield) and Dave Brophy (Will Daily, Patty Larkin) on drums. Boston-based collaboratorsAnne Heaton and Rose Polenzanishow up to sing backing harmonies, and fellow Berklee College alum Paula Cole appears as guest voca list with Ferrick on the album's first song, "Wreck Me."

As Ferrick's devoted fans will expect, the truth is explores personal, emotional territory, documenting the end of one relationship and the subsequent beginnings of another. Signed to Atlantic Records in the mid-'90s, Ferrick was part of a new wave of alt-rock females—including artists like Liz Phair, PJ Harvey and college-mate Cole—who sang about womanhood with sharp, unchecked honesty. Morrissey proved an early champion when he personally invited her to tour as his opening act, and Ferrick eventually went on to found her own label and release a string of albums and EPs (more than 16 to date) in which she played almost every instrument herself. She tours regularly and plays to packed houses across the U.S.