Lee Taul releases first solo album of English-language songs

Folk musician Lee Taul has released her first solo album, “Like Moths to a Flame,” after initially feeling that singing in a foreign language was “a sinful act,” ERR reported.

The album, released in late August, brings together English-language original songs Taul wrote over several years. She told ERR’s Vikerraadio radio station that bringing her own music to the public had been difficult.

“When I was a teenager, a rebellious girl from Pärnu, I loved working on different songs on my own. No rule, obstacle or limit moved me,” Taul said. She added that after spending the past decade deeply involved in folk music, she had moved far away from the kind of original music that resonated most strongly with her.

Taul had repeatedly considered releasing the songs, but something always stood in the way. This time, she decided to make one final attempt without expensive studios or polished microphones, recording the music in a raw and natural way.

Her greatest fear was not only how other people would judge the music, but also whether the album would meet her own high standards. She questioned whether listeners needed to be given mediocre English-language music, while also wondering whether the songs might be better than she thought.

Taul originally wrote the songs for herself rather than for release. She said songwriting had functioned as therapy since her university years, helping her process her feelings and give form to sounds that already existed in her mind.

English was important to her because she finds it easier to express thoughts playfully and indirectly in a foreign language. At the same time, singing in English created doubts because her everyday musical work is connected to folk music, which she described as her musical mother tongue.

“Singing in a foreign language felt somehow like a sinful act,” Taul said. “Yet it is the language in which it is easiest for me to say things in a slightly playful and slightly hidden way.”

Her musical influences include older music. She recalled watching Woodstock documentaries at home and hearing The Beatles on the radio, tape recorder and cassettes. Later, she was influenced by José González, Sibylle Baier and Daft Punk’s song “Within.”

The album opens with “Desert Storm,” featuring Israeli musician and producer Galor Yefet singing in Hebrew. Yefet also handled post-production on the remaining tracks and contributed vocals, trumpet, synthesizers and percussion.

Taul and Yefet began working together at the Viljandi Folk Music Festival, where Taul was particularly struck by his solo singing. Their initial collaboration developed into a friendship that eventually led to the completion of the album.