Revered singer songwriter Fanny Lumsden is set to release her highly-anticipated fifth studio album Traditions on October 30 with the heartfelt collection of 11 tracks marking a deeply resonant shift in songwriting, resulting in her boldest, face first album yet.
On the intensely personal theme of the album, Fanny explains, “As I’ve got older, I’ve begun to realise the value and meaning that can come from traditions, however what I’m still learning is how to balance the ideas of who I am, with those traditions and that they are all allowed to change as we go.
“I loved that Traditions brings up so much discussion for people. Traditions and families are messy. I can value the traditions of my family whilst also understanding that they were borne of a flawed system. There is more to traditions than being steadfast, I think I’m discovering the movement and change they need to survive.
“I am here now, trying to marry my autonomy and ambitions with my farming family’s traditions. Perhaps belonging is be found when traditions are alive, in traditions that grow – and maybe some need to be just left behind to move forward.”
The long player features her previous single Difficult Woman and the stunning new track Mother’s Eyes, a pensive gaze at the matriarchal bloodline and remembering that itself is ultimately enough when you compare it to the pressure of aging and aesthetics. “This song is a love letter to myself ultimately that, you’re going to question everything and your age but, in the end, when you look in the mirror it’s your mother’s eyes looking back and that can be enough”. Featuring pedal steel weaving in and out with the banjo, the song find you gently lulled into a comforting haze.
The album also includes By The River featuring Paul Kelly, with whom Fanny has toured extensively in recent times, both in the UK/Europe and across his last Australian arena tour, and who largely served as the song’s inspiration. After singing harmonies on a deep-cut track named ‘The Pretty Place’ whilst on tour with Kelly in Europe last year, Fanny says the song just kind of fell out whilst she was staying next to a river in the peaks district. “(In the song the pretty Place) Paul somehow described the place that I always go in my mind when I imagine a safe place. Going to the river is also a big tradition in my family, we are river rats through and through, and we always seek a river out, so a river song was always going to come at some point. I am unbelievably grateful and awed by the fact Paul said yes and is singing my lyrics”.
Produced by Steven Schram (Crowded House, The Cat Empire, Paul Kelly) Traditions was recorded live, in the studio over 9 days by Fanny and her band, The Daddies (AKA the Prawn Stars). It was a feat Fanny had never before attempted with the result being each track was captured in a single take. “Tracking everything live was initially a daunting concept for me however Stephen was really great and helped me to trust the process and stop underestimating what we were doing.”
The awarded artist has confirmed plans for an album launch show on October 31 in the NSW Riverina town of Tooma and album tour dates for the East Coast with performances scheduled in regional Victoria, Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and regional NSW. Pre-sale commences this Wednesday 5 August at 10am with general public tickets available from 10am this Friday 7 August.
Kicking off with her first national capital city headline tour, a UK headline tour plus her intimate solo tour ONLY FANS: Story Club special, 2026 is shaping up to be Fanny’s most spectacular year yet. With Festival dates scheduled for this month, Traditions dropping in October plus its accompanying east coast tour dates in November, the best is yet to come!
FANNY LUMSDEN
TRADITIONS ALBUM TOUR 2026
Pre-sale commences Wednesday 5th August. Sign up here
General public tickets on sale Friday 7th August
For tickets and information visit fannylumsden.net
Saturday 31st October
Tooma Rec Grounds, Tooma NSW
*Album Launch show
Friday 6th November
Barwon Club, Geelong VIC
Saturday 7th November
Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan VIC
Sunday 8th November
Castlemaine Royal Theatre, Castlemaine VIC
Friday 13th November
Norton Music Factory, Caloundra West QLD
Saturday 14th November
M Arts Precinct, Murwillumbah NSW
Sunday 15th November
Finnian’s Irish Tavern, Port Macquarie NSW
Friday 27th November
Keystone 1889, Bathurst NSW
Saturday 28th November
Milton Theatre, Milton NSW
Sunday 29th November
The Stag & Hunter, Newcastle NSW
UPCOMING FESTIVAL DATES:
Friday 14th August
Darwin Festival, Darwin NT
Thur 20th – Sat 22nd August
Mundi Mundi Bash, Mundi Mundi NSW
Saturday 29th August
Blackall Tambo Circus Carnival, Blackall QLD
Saturday 3rd October
Yours and Owls Festival, Wollongong NSW