The Anchoress: ‘The moment I shared that I was a mother, people treated me differently’

Welsh singer-songwriter and producer Catherine Anne Davies, professionally known as The Anchoress, has unveiled her latest album, As We Once Were, on August 7th. This deeply personal record navigates themes of unresolved grief and generational trauma, continuing the introspective path she established with her previous work.

Davies’ new album draws heavily from a poignant family history marked by tragedy. Central to the narrative is the drowning of three close relatives, an event that has cast a long shadow over her life. This lineage of loss, which also includes Davies nearly drowning during her christening and other family drownings, serves as a haunting backdrop for several tracks, notably the emotionally charged ballad Hand to the Tide.

This exploration of inherited trauma is not new terrain for Davies, who previously confronted profound personal challenges on her 2021 album, The Art of Losing. That record was shaped by the passing of her father, experiences of pregnancy loss, and a battle with cervical cancer. Critics acclaimed it for its raw honesty and emotional depth, with comparisons drawn to the expressive boldness of David Bowie’s Berlin era. The Art of Losing was also recognized with a nomination for the Welsh Music Prize.

Motherhood has become a transformative influence on Davies’ songwriting. With the birth of her daughter, she found herself revisiting her family’s past and engaging with the scientific concept of epigenetics—how trauma and emotional wounds can be passed down through generations. This introspection fueled much of As We Once Were, as Davies sought to understand and articulate the enduring impact of familial pain.

The album does not shy away from addressing the complexities and societal perceptions surrounding motherhood. Inspired by her own experiences of managing a career alongside parenting, Davies included the more lighthearted single I Had a Baby Not a Lobotomy. This track responds to the judgments she faced from the music industry and her peers after revealing her status as a mother, highlighting the persistent stereotypes about women's roles and capabilities post-childbirth.

Davies notes that sharing her motherhood status altered how she was treated professionally and personally, with expectations to curtail her touring and career. This insight aligns with a broader movement among contemporary musicians openly discussing the challenges and stigmas linked with motherhood, paralleling artists like Florence Welch and Lucy Rose, who have used their art to explore pregnancy loss and post-partum health struggles.

A unique feature of As We Once Were is the inclusion of a vintage recording of Davies’ Welsh grandmother reflecting on her childhood. This archival voice bridges the generational divide, reinforcing the album’s theme of inherited stories and experiences. For Davies, this connection symbolizes a sonic conversation between past and present generations, offering both a personal family archive and a broader reflection on the female experience.

Beyond her artistry, Davies actively engages with the music community as a lecturer at London’s Institute of Contemporary Music Performance and as a patron of the UK’s Music Venue Trust. She expresses concern about the current state of the live music ecosystem, citing financial pressures and industry greed as threats to smaller venues and the accessibility of live performances for emerging and mid-career artists.

Davies highlights the growing divide in concert attendance, where expensive tickets for major acts contrast with dwindling audiences for grassroots shows. This shift risks alienating young music fans and limits the diversity of musical experiences available to them. Her observations underscore a systemic challenge within the industry, where economic barriers increasingly dictate who can sustain a career in music and who can engage with live performances.

As We Once Were encapsulates Davies’ multifaceted journey through personal loss, motherhood, and professional challenges. The album offers listeners a nuanced, emotionally rich exploration of how the past shapes identity and creativity, while also casting a critical eye on the evolving landscape of the music industry. According to irishtimes.com, Davies’ latest work stands as a testament to resilience and artistic honesty, resonating deeply both within and beyond her personal narrative.