La grande dame — Lady Lazarus

The song shining light of Lady Lazarus; photographed by Nick Chao.

Once in a lifetime there rises an artist that helps us make sense of the world and the states of our lives. A tunesmith visionary that holds up a mirror that helps to reveal realities that go unnoticed about ourselves, our connections to one another (and/or lack thereof), our communities both local and abroad, the fronts and faces we put forward, the obfuscations of the self as means of personal armor, and the aura we project forward both inherently, and voluntarily.

They exist in our parallel timelines, and yet feel transcendent of anything contemporaneous, forever refreshingly new and subverting the retro familiarity into a dimension of space where all the conceivable inspiration of endless eras coexist cozily together on the same plane of existence. Their candid, creative works strike in ways that are deceivingly subtle, subliminal, and even cryptic; opening us up to their most intimate observations that ultimately offer up insights never before considered about us, our relationships to our selves, others, everyone and everything that makes up this crazy thing we call life.

These eternal, inspirational, and expansive visions can be found in the prolific oeuvre of Lady Lazarus. The Sacramento by way of San Jose artist has gifted us Mantic, All My Love in Half Light, Miracles, Impossible Journey Of My Soul Tonight (and so much more), and today shares the myriad dichotomies of strength, solemnity, sincerity, and soft serenity on "Tough Guy". A rustic song from the heart about mending broken familial bonds, repairing the hurt by hemming together the disparate fabrics that make us and our loved ones feel whole again. Melissa Ann Sweat sings from the sacred spaces of the vulnerable spirit that works to gain a greater relationship with a formerly estranged patriarchal figure, seeking a greater understanding of the stoic nature that gets in the way of impactful, emotional engagement.

Melissa increasingly orchestrates the Lady Lazarus style with the reverent touches of the heartland troubadour vernacular. "Tough Guy" reaches with an outstretched hand across those great divides that separates people from one another. Be they strangers, acquaintances, colleagues, friends, to namely family — Sweat strives to break down the walls, barricades, fortitudes, and feigned visages that masquerade folks from their authentic being. The sentimental assemblage of acoustic strings, keys, gentle percussion, and Ann's endearing vocals bloom into confrontations that seek to unmask the anguish and unrest that lies within a headstrong parent that feels they're immune and removed their own emotive instincts.

Melissa stares down the traditional cis male mode of staunch stubborn states of toughness to get down to the epistemological roots of the why behind the act of being so removed and emotionally unavailable. "Tough Guy" elegantly allows ample room for the complexities of these relationships with the strong, silent types in our lives that can feel easy to abandon and cut out of our lives completely. The undercurrent of radical forgiveness seeks to move past the facades that loved ones put up in place of their genuine feelings, thoughts, experiences, personalities, and insights and reaches for a strong kinship that is rooted in absolute honesty.

Lady Lazarus does not reduce these conflicts, nor simplifies the nature of healing and reconciling these intricate bonds. "Tough Guy" is what is found from the advent of reconciliation, returning to share personal perspectives that make us feel whole, reconnected with folks we feel like we lost for a time. Melissa sends the world a heart-wrenching, yet heartwarming song about everything that is to be gained from doing the hard work to lower the overprotective guard and defenses that prevent us and others from a life of love, and an ineffable array of abundance that defies that gravities and depths of the human imagination.

The visuals from Jehan Zorab of Picnic Productions sees Melissa Ann Sweat in Auburn, California walking amongst the powerful statues made by Ken Fox back in the 1960s. The meditative pop paean on the subject of strength and solitude is witnessed among giant concrete figures of might, and majesty set among the old gold rush community's surroundings of breathtaking natural splendor.

Mellissa Ann Sweat shared a barrage of generous reflections in the following exchange:

Reflections on the roads traveled, the changes felt and observed in your life and beyond.

A lot of life and changes have happened in the little over six years since my last release, Impossible Journey of My Soul Tonight. Much of it for the better, outside of our current political climate in the U.S. The biggest change is becoming a homeowner three years ago. I bought a small condo in Sacramento County, California where I’ve decided to put down roots. It’s been incredibly grounding and healing for me, though challenging and scary to make such a huge life and financial commitment. But I’m really happy here.

Notes on the evolution and development of your creative styles.

For “Tough Guy,” I wanted the feel of the song to inform its style and sound. Some of the musical references I had in mind had a folkier, Americana feel like Springsteen's “Valentine’s Day” off Tunnel of Love and Tom Waits’ “Hold On” from Mule Variations, as well as Mary Chapin Carpenter’s Come On, Come On album. Everything I’ve done has always been very intuitive and so I just keep following that inner muse, and the rootsier sound of “Tough Guy” is where it’s led me.

Insights and elaborations on personal growth, and the way they have informed and advanced your own creative processes.

I feel confident about this song and am very happy about how the creative and collaborative process went with everyone involved. Having recorded and released music for 15 years now, I think I’ve honed the process well, so there’s an ease now and an enjoyment of the process that has been smoothed out over the years. Gratitude plays a big part. Just remembering that I’m very fortunate to get to create music and share it.

Reflections on reconnecting with loved ones, the hard parts of saying hello again, and the importance of saying goodbye.

After my father and I had a falling-out about eight years ago, I felt it was necessary for me to step away from our relationship so that I could stand up for myself and my needs and heal. It was far from easy, but the distance enabled me to own my truth, process things, and steer my life in the best direction for me. Now that I’m settled and in a good place, the process of writing this song and opening my heart to speak through the song to my father has led to a desire to reconnect, which I hope will continue to be very healing and positive.

Between toughness and the soft warmth of gentility — where they connect for you, how they differ, and how they become a part of the dichotomies of the human experience.

One thing I will share is I feel I’ve spent far too much of these last few years feeling tough or toughened by life. In many ways, I had to be to survive. But it’s no way to live life to its fullest. I’m hoping to continue softening in ways I’ve needed, creating a softer life for myself, while also maintaining my inner strength. It’s a fine balance I’m still learning.

Things that keep you inspired and grounded in times where the foundations feel like sinking sand.

Nature, music, great art, movies, and literature. Believing in something far greater than me and doing my best to look for the helpers and bright spots. We will get through this. Just remember to keep going.

Listen to the Lady Lazarus discography via Bandcamp.