In the stark winter of 2022, Nandi Rose, known professionally as Half Waif, found herself grappling with an overwhelming stillness. Amidst the bare trees and heavy clouds, she learned she was pregnant with her first child - a promise that shattered just weeks later when silence filled the ultrasound room. This devastating moment became the catalyst for See You At The Maypole, Half Waif’s sixth album, a journey through personal grief, resilience, and unexpected transformation.

Originally intended as a celebration of motherhood, the album took on new meaning as Rose faced her loss. The haunting isolation of her experience led her to write in the quiet of a nursery that would never be. “I was literally carrying death inside me,” she reflected, channeling her pain into music. In collaboration with longtime friend Zubin Hensler, she embraced imperfection, allowing raw takes and whispered vocals to shape the sound.

However, See You At The Maypole transcends personal narrative, creating a space for collective mourning. Rose’s lullabies, inspired by the interconnectedness of grief, became a communal call to acknowledge the beauty in loss. “This wasn’t just my story,” she asserts. “It was every story of loss - the loss of a life, a dream, trust, hope, and faith.”

Featuring a diverse cast of musicians - from drummers Jason Burger and Zack Levine to violinists Hannah Epperson and Elena Moon Park, and the Khorikos choir - the album captures both the weight of sorrow and the promise of renewal. Tracks like “Figurine” highlight the delicate balance between grief and hope, inviting listeners to find light even in their darkest moments.

At its core, See You At The Maypole celebrates life’s complexities, encouraging us to gather in our shared experiences. Rose reminds us that, through connection and creativity, we can navigate our personal winters and emerge into the warmth of spring together.