Erin Durant Discusses the Enchantment Involved in Creating Her Third Album, ‘Firetrail’ - Atwood Magazine

      With a voice that feels eternal and immersive, Erin Durant welcomes listeners into the radiant, ethereal realm of her third album ‘Firetrail,’ sharing insights on its creation, inspirations, and the enchantment of surrendering.

      Stream: ‘Firetrail’ – Erin Durant

      Originally from New Orleans but now based in LA, Erin Durant embodies the essence of an artist. Her music, personal style, and even her thoughtful speech are captivating. The manner in which she navigates her life resembles a form of artistry in itself.

      After releasing her 2019 album Islands, Durant is back with her third full-length album titled Firetrail (released on May 16, 2025, via Ruination Record Co). Her voice, pristine and enchanting, often takes center stage on this record. Boasting a vocal range as rich, high, and effortless as Joni Mitchell or Joanna Newsom, Durant can not only pause time but also shift it.

      The tracks from Firetrail evoke nostalgia for places you’ve never visited, akin to waking from a dream that lingers throughout the day. Each song is filled with orchestral arrangements and hints of Americana influences, creating a mesmerizing and uniquely immersive listening journey from start to finish.

      Firetrail – Erin Durant

      Oh, is it real, how love unfolds?

      I know that it’s real.

      I speak as if I was unaware

      Of how challenging it is to love oneself.

      So easy to deny.

      Love is what I came here for.

      I cherished one more than I knew how to express,

      And it surfaced like rivers held back,

      But did I ever truly have a chance?

      I’m not sure.

      Seated outside her home in Topanga Canyon for our conversation, Durant wears a gentle smile. The lush, emerald trees reflect in the window behind her, and birds chirp in the background.

      It’s a magical setting. There’s an innate kindness and sincerity about Durant that draws you in, even from across a computer screen.

      Before long, thirty minutes of our interview have flown by, and it feels like I’ve only begun to scratch the surface of knowing her; she is profoundly deep and an artist in every sense.

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      :: stream/purchase Firetrail here ::

      :: connect with Erin Durant here ::

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      Erin Durant © Maximilla Lukacs

      A CONVERSATION WITH ERIN DURANT

      Atwood Magazine: Hi Erin!

      Erin Durant: Hi! How are you?

      I’m doing great, thank you! It looks like you’re in a lovely outdoor setting. I can hear the birds singing in the background.

      Erin Durant: Yes, I’m outside in Topanga Canyon! And you’re in New Orleans?

      Yes! I read that you’re originally from here but have moved around a bit?

      Erin Durant: Yes. I lived in New York for a long period, and I’ve been here [in Topanga] since the fall of 2021.

      Have you noticed any shifts in your creativity while living in these different regions?

      Erin Durant: Absolutely. While I haven’t lived in New Orleans for a long time, it’s an area that’s very dear to my heart. I would visit occasionally, but I wasn’t necessarily creating music during that time. However, its influence stays with me in New York or California. Different locations bring varied creative energies, and even when I explore other places, those experiences continue to resonate with me.

      That’s wonderful. I’d like to start by saying I’ve enjoyed learning about your journey. Your musical path is truly inspiring and organic. Can you share your earliest memory of loving music and thinking, “This is my calling”?

      Erin Durant: Hmm, that’s a thoughtful question. Let me think. I’ve always loved singing; it felt very instinctive to me. I was a somewhat shy child, yet I had moments of exuberance when it came to singing, whether it was with a karaoke machine or harmonizing with records. I recall feeling thrilled about having my own microphone. I loved it so much that I recorded just about anything with it. Growing up in New Orleans, where music is abundant, has filled my memories with beautiful moments. Music was always a part of my life.

      Erin Durant © Maximilla Lukacs

      You have a beautiful new album titled Firetrail. What does the title and the album as a whole mean to you?

      Erin Durant: Hmm, let me try to articulate that. There might be a couple of false starts. [laughs]

      I was inspired by the imagery of someone, similar to when you attend a play or musical where the lights focus on an individual. That idea lingered with me, reflecting on these very personal songs. The firetrail serves as symbolism; it can represent both a metaphor and a physical space, like an open landscape