“Half Waif’s ‘See You At The Maypole’: A Dance of Sorrow, Resilience, and Rebirth
Nandi Rose, known musically as Half Waif, has always been a master of channeling the intricacies of human emotion into her work. With her sixth studio album, See You At The Maypole, Rose set out to create a departure from the darker themes that have characterized much of her previous work. Initially conceived as a celebration of motherhood and new beginnings, the album was intended to reflect the joy and anticipation of starting a family. But as life often does, it took an unexpected turn, transforming the project into something much more profound.
The album’s conception began in the summer of 2021, during a solo retreat in the Catskills. In a small cabin overlooking a rain-kissed pond, Rose found inspiration in the serene environment, crafting melodies that spoke to the lushness of life and the anticipation of what was to come. When she discovered she was pregnant a month later, the album seemed destined to be a soft and joyous ode to this new chapter. But when Rose experienced a missed miscarriage in December, See You At The Maypole took on a different, more poignant tone.
The album, set for release on October 4, explores the uncomfortable realities of loss, uncertainty, and the struggle to move forward. The lead single, “Figurine,” captures this journey with haunting beauty. Directed by Derrick Belcham and choreographed by Kora Radella, the accompanying video features Rose immersed in the natural elements surrounding her Upstate New York home. She emerges from a fetal state, expanding and taking up space, cleansed by water, symbolizing her path to healing.
“Not everyone will go through a miscarriage, but this is a song about how to continue on after losing something precious, how to find the light on your face again,” Rose explains. The lyrics, “Head up, it’s gonna get so much better you’ll see,” evoke the image of a jewelry box figurine, persistently dancing despite the challenges.
Rose’s journey was further complicated by inadequate medical treatment following her miscarriage. Prescribed only one of the two necessary medications for treating a missed miscarriage, her body struggled to recover, prolonging her physical and emotional pain. It wasn’t until the following spring that she was able to begin healing after an additional procedure. In the same period, her mother-in-law was diagnosed with aggressive pancreatic cancer, adding another layer of grief to her experience.
Amidst this turmoil, Rose turned to music as a lifeline. Writing in the early morning hours, she poured her emotions into songs that became lullabies for no one—whispers that dissipated into the fog. These songs were not just her story but a reflection of the universal experience of loss, whether it be the loss of life, dreams, trust, hope, or faith.
To bring this vision to life, Rose collaborated with long-time friend and collaborator Zubin Hensler, as well as a community of musicians who added their unique voices to the album. Contributors include Jason Burger and Zack Levine on drums and percussion, Josh Marre on guitar, Hannah Epperson and Elena Moon Park on violin, Kristina Teuschler on clarinet, Willem de Koch on trombone, Rebecca El-Saleh on harp, and Spencer Zahn on upright bass. Andrew Sarlo, known for his work with Big Thief and Bon Iver, lent his mixing skills to many of the tracks, including “Figurine.”
See You At The Maypole is an album that embraces both personal sorrow and communal resilience. It is a celebration of the complexity of human experience, where the shades of our spirit combine to create something intricate and remarkable. The album’s title references the ceremonial folk dance performed around a maypole, a tradition filled with ribbons woven into complex braids that symbolize the interconnectedness of life. Rose invites others to join in this dance, creating a collective of bleeding color and shared humanity.
As Rose reflects on the album, she emphasizes the strength found in our shared experiences. “We are so much stronger for the colorful experiences we go through,” she says. “That’s where we find our humanity and find each other.”
Following the album’s release, Half Waif will perform two special release shows in upstate New York and Brooklyn before embarking on a nationwide tour in early 2025, inviting audiences to join her in the dance of sorrow, resilience, and rebirth.
Pre-Order See you At The Maypole Here
Tour Dates
10/5 – Chatham, NY @ PS21
10/9 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Made
1/10 – Philadelphia, PA @ Milkboy
1/11 – Washington DC @ Songbyrd
1/13 – Asheville, NC @ The Grey Eagle
1/14 – Nashville, TN @ Soft Junk
1/15 – Louisville, KY @ Zanzabar
1/16 – Chicago, IL @ Sleeping Village
1/17 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Calvin University
1/29 – Brattleboro, VT @ Stone Church
1/30 – Portland, ME @ One Longfellow Square
1/31 – Boston, MA @ Arts at the Armory
3/1 – Los Angeles, CA @ Pico Union Project
3/2 – San Francisco, CA @ Cafe Du Nord
3/4 – Portland, OR @ Polaris Hall
3/5 – Seattle, WA @ Madame Lou’s
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