Emily Portman Unveils New Album 'Dominion of Spells' in Sheffield Performance
BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winner Emily Portman, renowned for her work with The Furrow Collective, is set to captivate Sheffield audiences tonight with a special preview of her latest album, 'Dominion of Spells'. The acclaimed singer-songwriter is currently touring the UK, showcasing select tracks from this highly anticipated release. Ahead of her performance at The Greystones, Portman shared intimate details about the creative journey behind her new work in an exclusive interview.
Returning to Folklore with Fresh Perspective
"My musical journey began with folktale retellings on my first album, 'The Glamoury'," Portman explained. "Fifteen years later, I'm revisiting these timeless stories with completely new insights and experiences shaping my approach." The artist describes this process as a profound metamorphosis, reflecting significant personal transformations that have influenced her artistic vision.
"Life presents us with monumental shifts that fundamentally reshape who we are," she continued. "This album explores themes of shapeshifting, inspired by mythological creatures like Selkies from Scottish, Irish, and Norse traditions. I discovered my own experiences growing parallel to these ancient narratives."
Personal Upheaval and Creative Rebirth
The creation of 'Dominion of Spells' emerged from a period of considerable personal change for Portman. "Our family's relocation to Sheffield represented a major life upheaval," she revealed. "This transition coincided with family bereavements and health challenges that confronted me with my own mortality. For a time, I found myself unable to write amidst these profound changes."
Through cathartic journaling, Portman gradually rediscovered her creative voice. "The writing process became therapeutic, helping me navigate motherhood, overcome burnout, and ultimately return to folktale storytelling with renewed purpose," she shared.
The Meaning Behind 'Dominion of Spells'
The album's intriguing title originates from historical medical terminology. "I encountered the phrase in an interview with Dr. Elinor Cleghorn, author of 'Unwell Women'," Portman explained. "It references a 16th-century physician who attributed women's mental disorders to 'wandering wombs' and what he called the 'Dominion of Spells' - essentially blaming mystical influences for conditions we now recognize as medical."
Portman has reclaimed this problematic historical concept, transforming it into a vision of liberation. "I imagine the Dominion of Spells as a utopian realm where magic intertwines with everyday life," she described. "A place of freedom where shapeshifting represents our innate capacity for transformation and where wonder becomes part of our daily existence."
Fox's Song: A Mother's Musical Gift
Among the album's standout tracks is the recently released single "Fox's Song," which holds special significance for Portman as a musical gift to her son. "Children embody shapeshifting naturally through imaginative play," she observed. "Watching my son transform through play reminded me how fluid identity truly is, especially in childhood."
The song draws inspiration from "The Ballad of Tam Lin," where a character must be held through multiple transformations to break a curse. "This symbolizes the parental role of accepting our children through all their changes," Portman reflected. "It's about embracing transformation as an essential part of growth and connection."
Album Release and Sheffield Performance Details
'Dominion of Spells' is scheduled for release on May 1, 2026, through Hudson Records. Emily Portman's Sheffield concert at The Greystones takes place tonight, March 22, 2026, offering audiences an exclusive preview of the album's magical soundscape.
"My music has always sought to bring ancient stories into conversation with contemporary life," Portman concluded. "These songs celebrate human creativity and connection - there's nothing more magical than feeling them come alive in a shared space with listeners."
