How God Speaks Through Music
How God Speaks Through Music
Our chat with music aficionado and writer, Dominique Williams.
Meet music aficionado and Editor-In-Chief of the forthcoming Multitudes Magazine, Dominique Williams, and learn more about how her relationship with music has influenced her growing years, adult life, and vision.
KW: How does music inspire you? Music is essentially what taught me language, but it’s also taught me how to feel and how to express myself. I think music is such a connector, so in a way it reminds me that someone all the way across the world could hear my favorite song and feel the same way I do about it. They could be going through the same thing as me and in that way, I’m never really alone. In that way, music inspires me to connect as well, but it also helps me tell that story. I always play music when I write. I see full scenes when I hear certain songs, so I definitely need music to help me do the things I love, like write. I need it in my everyday life, too.
KW: Where were you born, and where did you grow up?
DW: I was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina but I moved to Anchorage, Alaska when I was nine months old, so I don't really claim North Carolina because I lived in Alaska for most of my childhood. I’ve also lived in England.
KW: What influenced you to love music as deeply as you do?
DW: When I was younger there was always music playing in my house — jazz, R&B, and gospel, mostly. My dad is a deep audiophile and him and my mom forced me to play piano for almost 13 years (even though I wanted to play the guitar), so those years spent learning the piano taught me discipline. I was also a dancer in school and my mom would haul me around town to dance practice and shows, so I understand music as a language that can be told with your body and how it makes you feel physically. You hear it and you are supposed to move. It is a way to tell stories, and it connects us all. I felt very connected to music from a very young age, so for me music is spiritual.
KW: That’s good.
KW: Who are some of the artists / groups you listened to while growing up?
DW: I was a big R&B kid. It was the neutral point because my parents love jazz and sometimes I would voice my opinion about their music being too slow so R&B was the compromise. Some of my favorite artists to listen to while growing up were Amy Winehouse, Brandy, Tamia, Joe, Brian McKnight, Carl Thomas, Jill Scott, Jojo, Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, Usher, TLC, Christina Aguilara, Boyz II Men, Monica, D’Angelo, Angie Stone, Destiny’s Child, Mya and Jazmine Sullivan.
KW: So can you define what it means to be a music curator? Music curation is a fancy term for “pass me the aux and let me play my jams,” ha! There is also a full story of my relationship with a playlist. I love a lot of different types of music, and I was a musician for many of my formative years so understanding how to make an amazing playlist that blends seamlessly is my lane. My love for making playlists has a lot to do with my ear too. I love lyrics that tell a story. I love strong vocals. So I fully "geek” out when I hear a song I love.
KW: What have you worked on as a music curator?
DW: As music curator, I’ve hosted multiple parties, made all the playlists for company benefits and events, and been featured in publications and radio shows for my playlists and music journalism pieces. My podcast, The Intersection, centered around music thoughts and critiques.
KW: Please share your Spotify story about how you ran out of library storage because you hit 10,000 songs. (I always think of this when I still see I have only hit like 4K songs.)
DW: On January 18, 2018, I found out there was a song limit on Spotify. I was actually shocked because I had no idea that was even a thing. But I was trying to add some songs, and I got an error message saying “You’ve reached your limit, you have to delete songs.” I immediately texted my dad, the other music lover in the family, and told him. He responded and was like “What's the limit, 2000?” My response: “10,000,” and he was shocked. So I googled it. I thought there could be absolutely no way that Spotify had a song limit for users’ libraries, but it was true. Until 2020, there was a song limit of 10,000 songs, and only 1% of people ever reached that many songs. That really is the only 1% I want to be a part of.
*Spotify users can add an unlimited amount of songs to their libraries. (Billboard.com)
KW: Dominique, what is an ideal concert experience for you?
DW: At my big age, standing for hours is just not as fun as it once was, but I still do it because I love a small intimate venue where the artist can really connect with the audience in an authentic way.
“God shows His vastness through music. The older I get the bigger God is to me, and the fuller the story becomes.”
KW: In your opinion who puts on the best live shows?
DW: If I love you, I’ll go see you multiple times. So in terms of folks that consistently put on good shows, I would say, Jazmine Sullvian, Kevin Garrett, Jojo, Allen Stone, Syd, and Jacob Banks.
KW: What has been your most favorite concert to date?
DW: Moses Sumney hands down was one of the most amazing concerts I’ve ever been to in my life. I saw him on my golden birthday this year and it was just transcendent. I do not care if you’ve never heard of Moses Sumney, if he’s in your town, GO!
KW: Speaking of concerts, what is your favorite venue / concert space? I think in NYC/BK I’d say Kings Theater. I’ve been to a ton of amazing music venues and there are only a few I genuinely cannot do. To be fair, I have a theory that the crowd and artist make a show what it is just as much as the venue. NYC is a hard crowd to impress so when you have an amazing show you should be proud.
KW: What has been your favorite music festival to attend regularly?
DW: Beale Street Music Festival. I went to college at the University of Memphis, and every summer we would go. I have some great memories there. I don’t do music festivals any more though. My body truly cannot handle it.
KW: I feel the same way. The only festival I make space for is AfroPunk Brooklyn.
KW: Tell us more about how you plan to implement your love of music in your new publication, "Multitudes."
DW: Music will have a significant role in Multitudes Magazine. I love talking with people who love music deeply or are artists and musicians themselves, so many of the magazine’s articles will feature these creatives. No matter who the person is, the stories all discuss how music shaped the person and how it keeps them inspired on their journey. There will be a playlist with each feature, so people can find their new favorites.
KW: Tell me more about this publication. What is the purpose of Multitudes?
DW: Multitudes Magazine is a digital zine space, for the many versions of our humanity and expression of Black, Indigenous, Latine/X, Asian, and Pacific Islander storytellers, curators, and creators. I wanted to create a space where we could just exist and didn't have to be perfect or put together, but could share how we got to where we are. We talk about the real stuff, the vulnerable stuff, and experience all the feelings that come with it and music is the web that holds the stories together.
I am also hoping to have some folks guest feature and share their love and stories about life and music. The site will launch in Spring 2023.
KW: What artist / music creative would you love to have write for Multitudes?
DW: Oh wow, solid question. I actually have a few.
There is a writer named Yoh Phillips and I absolutely love his music journalism and deep dives on albums. He also has a great ear for first-listen reviews.
Hanif Abdurrabqib, a novelist and essayist who writes for everyone on music would also be a dream of mine.
From across the pond, I would love to have Natty Kasambala who is a culture writer and has a focus on music. I love her profiles on artists.
KW: Well I definitely hope each of these people come to write for Multitudes.
KW: One of the things I love about music is the infinite ways songs can sound. I think it paints a picture of or reflects God’s creativity. How do you think God uses music to show His love for us or His creativity?
DW: God shows His vastness through music. The older I get, the bigger God is to me, and the fuller the story becomes. And music has different genres and languages, but they are reflections of people's lives and stories so if you listen truly, you can connect to something bigger than the song. The connection is something that God uses to bring us together in ways we will never know. Music has the ability to make us cry or dance or sing at the top of our lungs. That feeling of being moved to another action is God blessing us to create beyond what is already there.
KW: Can you share a bit on what your faith means to you?
DW: Faith for me is trusting in the unseen and believing God is putting things together for my good. That’s super cliche, but honestly it’s that straight forward. It’s not easy when stuff gets hard and you want to give up or know why, but it’s knowing it’s not over until I’m through it. With faith in God, I know I will make it through.
KW: How does God speak to you through music?
DW: I had some very low seasons at various points in my twenties, even now, and in those times I always seek to listen to something to uplift my spirits. Sometimes though, I just start feeling low and a song will pop in my head, and it will be about what I'm going through. Other times I will be out somewhere and hear something that speaks to my situation. In those random moments, I know that's God. A lot of these songs will get saved to playlists so if something comes up like that again, I just lean back into that playlist. I think God speaks both to comfort me when I'm down but also to give me hope for things to come.
KW: Who is your favorite praise and workshop artist/group? How do their lyrics speak to you?
DW: I grew up on Kierra “Kiki” Sheard, and she has been getting me through since I was a kid. Her voice is just everything. I think I really identify with her as a person in being a bigger girl growing up, and her song “Flaws” and many others have got me through my insecure seasons.
KW: What is your favorite Netflix guilty pleasure?
DW: Goodness do I feel guilty about anything? Not really, but the amount of times I’ve watched both Gilmore Girls and Sweet Magnolias seems a little absurd.
KW: Who are two of your favorite artists currently?
DW: I will always say my all-time favorite artists are Little Simz and Fana Hues. I listen to them the minute I get on a plane.
Kendolyn Walker is a creative based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.
The Music We Shared
Music was and still is (as I like to think) a love language shared between my father and me. He was always very honest when he did not like a song or an artist I sent to him. He went into depth with details about the reasons as well. With the same passion, he would explain why he enjoyed the songs and artists he liked.
The
Music
We
Shared
By Kendolyn Walker
Music was and still is (as I like to think) a love language shared between my father and me. He was always very honest when he did not like a song or an artist I sent to him. He went into depth with details about the reasons as well. With the same passion, he would explain why he enjoyed the songs and artists he liked.
My father grew up in a family that enjoyed music and concerts. So, it’s understandable why he wanted to share that love with his wife and children. Daddy set the foundation for us all to appreciate music from all genres, created by people from different backgrounds.
When Pandora first came out, he fell in love. He put it on his work computer and enjoyed all of his favorite artists daily. Daddy was so deep into the Pandora realm that he refused to switch to Spotify when I pleaded with him to make the change.
So these are some of our conversations. Some I shared with him and some he shared with me. Others were fond memories. They all spoke to the empathetic and warm heart my father had. Here are six songs to give you a taste of the music we enjoyed together.
“Stomp” by The Brothers Johnson
This is the earliest and possibly only song I ever danced to with my father. In talking to my aunts, they shared that I was about two or so, and would request the song by yelling “Thomp, Daddy, thomp!” What a time.
A groovy dance tune with a celebratory tone about heading out to have a good time on the weekend or any evening. It hits home more as Brothers Johnson was a sibling group, similar to my own.
Fast Cars - Tracey Chapman
Tracey Chapman was an artist my dad constantly had on rotation in his car. Her calming voice and guitar tracks most likely created the foundation of my love for the acoustic genre.
Chapman sings about escaping a current hard situation and beginning anew. The drums and guitar, along with her one-of-a-kind vocals, really emphasize the theme of despair and hope.
You got a fast car / Is it fast enough so you can fly away?
You gotta make a decision / Leave tonight or live and die this way
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold
This was an artist my father told me about in my adult years. I am sure I had already moved to New York City when he introduced me to Eva Cassidy’s work. My father loved her voice and was sad that she died at the age of 33. When she passed, her music garnered a lot of attention. She was always too shy for the stage or large audiences but used her voice to interpret songs from all genres creatively. “Fields Of Gold” was an original track by Sting. Cassidy took this song, created a slower tempo version, and sang it with a ballad, nostalgic tone.
Fly - Sara Groves
I have been a lifelong fan of Sara Groves. Her lyrics and melodies, along with her calming voice, have been a part of my growing years.
This song, “Fly,” became a special one between my father and me when I sang it at a close friend’s wedding. My dad was so excited and happy he continued to play this song for years. It reminds me of the way he championed me and cheered me on in all things.
Groves also sings about championing your loved ones with these lyrics and “flying” when encouraged by her partner’s love.
Speak in a summer tone / Pause in the after glow
Tenderly whisper my name / Tell me once again why I am your bride
So I can fly
So I can fly
Pause in your busy day / Look extra long my way
Wink at me across the room / Kiss me longer
Touch my arm when I am by your side
So I can fly
So I can fly
Oh, how the little things / Strengthen my tiny wings
Help me to take on the world / When you love me, there's nothing I wouldn't try
I might even fly
I might even fly
I might even fly
Save The Best For Last - Vanessa Williams
My father told me once that the main reason he liked Vanessa Williams was that she reminded him of my mother. I specifically remember him telling me this during our drives in his car while this song was playing. This fondness has been passed down to me, as I, too, have enjoyed Vanessa Williams’ music and voice for as long as I can remember. Not to mention it has been fun watching her become an amazing actress as well!
In “Save The Best For Last,” Williams sings about a friend becoming a partner. The feel of this song immediately sends me to the 80’s. The keyboard, drums, and strings cushion the words with comfort and peace. She laments about the times he shared his dreams and hopes with her yet continued dating others. But finally, love wins out, and they become '“the best” for each other.
Wiyathul - Gurrumul
I honestly cannot remember where I first heard this song. My sister told me that I am always listening to new music and new artists, so maybe I found Gurrumul, an Aboriginal Australian singer, via one of my Pandora or Spotify shuffles. But I sent it to my father soon after, and I don’t think I heard feedback on it for a while.
Then I think I was talking to him one day, and he started playing it. Again, we were most likely in his car on a drive. Daddy told me the song had brought him to tears. Even as the lyrics in this artist’s native tongue of Yolŋu, the tenderness of his voice indeed soothes my soul despite the fact I do not understand the meaning. I can’t recall all of my father’s critiques of this song, but he definitely told me the tune made him cry.
Gurrumul was a blind musician and singer. He played the drums, keyboards, guitar, and didgeridoo. Something that made him extremely unique was his ability to play a right-handed guitar, even though he was left-handed.
My father was an amazing man who loved Jesus and music of all genres. These songs highlight his compassion, insight, and wisdom. I am thankful, as Daddy laid the groundwork of my passion for music excellence. His love for music, along with his faith, I now walk in.
Kendolyn Walker is a singer-songwriter based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.
Music Is Healing
A few months, ago I was interviewing my friend Leslie about her music interests. At one point she said, “music is healing.” After taking her very quotable words in, I realized I could not agree more.
So many times, music has lifted my spirits or met me where I am. Whether afrobeats first thing in the morning or on a bus commute to liven the mood or chant-like meditation tunes to center my mind, music remedies any situation we are going through.
Music is God’s gift to us and His hand, along with love is evident in every bit. In the creative unison of chords or the harmonious blend of a choir, His anointing is felt.
I remember watching the movie “The Shack” and Octavia Spencer, who played the role of God, kept mentioning her favorite artists. Guess what, they all were! Whether a rock band, or a blues artist, THEY WERE ALL HER FAVORITES. I believe this to be true. God’s tapestry of majestic sounds and melodies has a hand print on every tune, in my opinion. He gave us minds to brilliantly dream and create. You see this most in music. It is no wonder, that music indeed, is healing.
I want to now, take you through three songs that have met and continue to meet me in different moments. One helps me be present, the second one cushions a workday at the apartment and another reminds me of family along with the good time that New Orleans always is.
Moses Sumney is genius. Let me say this again, he is genius. If you listen to his body of work, you are sure to understand why I feel this statement so strongly.
His track, “Self-Help Tape,” is accurately titled. Another friend, Chris, upon hearing this outstanding collage of audio paintings, called it “therapy.” The words, many in the language of Ghanian Twi, are enchanting and somewhat hypnotic in they lull you to be still.
I always listen to this track before I sing or when I am stressed out. It centers me, and reminds me that God is with me. Who else besides God put this beautiful orchestration of harmonies and instruments together? It’s my ear’s delight each time I press play on this song.
Jill Scott has been a longtime favorite of mine as she has consistently reminded black women of our strength and power, when this world (due to white supremacy) always pushes the narrative as far from this truth as possible. Her tune “Light of Sun” is a radiant beam of light on days when I have to focus or just mellow out. Light of the sun/ on my back are the lyrics repeated. It’s the bonus track for Light of the Sun album.
When I listen to this song, I think of the good days. The sunny days spent outside. The times with family and friends who have become family. The happy occasions that make you want to quit your jobs and live in whatever present bliss you are experiencing forever. Yep, that’s “Light of The Sun”. Easy, chill vibes that will leave you wanting to loop the song over and over and over again. I am quite thankful the track is 6 minutes and 26 seconds.
I have only visited New Orleans a couple times. This is sad to me because I have enjoyed my times there deeply so I should spend more time in this magnificent city than I have. The history and the richness of the neighborhoods and people leaves me always wanting a longer stay.
One event I have not been able to make it down for is the annual jazz festival. I hope to soon. Victory Boyd has a tune called “Jazz Festival” that really transport me back to the grand times I had when I was there. This song opens with an acoustic intro, then the singer’s soothing voice starts describing the well-known event. A favorite moment of mine, which also feels somewhat healing and restorative to me, is the break in the song where a group of young adults are teaching an elder to dance, to only then find out he can do the routine with ease. I find this comforting as this audio scene pays homage to those wiser than us, in recognizing that they indeed have seen everything under the sun. This in itself, brings about a sort of peace as I think about my loved ones, those present and those who has passed away and become ancestors.
The Power of Lofi Music in Your Daily Routine
All my life, I have enjoyed the words and the beats of songs. The harmony of choruses and the brilliance of metaphors in my favorite tunes. But let me tell you something, as I have gotten older I prefer a good instrumental. Give me a solid track with genius musicians doing their thing. Somehow, in space, I discovered lofi. Instrumental lofi to exact. It has become a portal to effectively zone out and be productive in my work-from-home life. It has made my apartment a place of rest and solitude.
Lofi is a short term for “low fidelity,” and is defined as “a low-quality recording with audible imperfections, such as background noise or performance mistakes, recorded with inexpensive equipment—the opposite of high fidelity or hi-fi production.” I love the imperfections. One of my highlights is hearing birds singing or cups of coffee being poured to introduce the song. The texture of the music in a lofi track reminds me of the sound quality of a cassette tape, so of course, the nostalgia kicks in with each listen. Heck, I still have a WHOLE collection of cassette tapes from my younger years (I was indeed a teen of the 90s). For this reason alone I have come to prefer lofi as one of my consistent, daily soundtracks.
So let’s talk about the health benefits of lofi, because they are an added bonus to the smooth, easy beats. This genre of music “helps the front lobe in our brain to focus – those flaws or low hums can also put the brain in the mindset to focus.” In this article referenced, it makes the point that lofi has been a hit with students for awhile now specifically during studying. The fact that mosts lofi tracks do not have words, means there are no distractions. This makes so much sense to me, as I routinely I am able to focus during my own work time.
“Lo-fi study music also helps increase brain activity, essentially because of the Attention Drainage Effect Theory which affirms that lo-fi sounds drain distractions by allowing the brain to subconsciously and selectively focus on a task while music is playing in the background.” - JapanNamkama.co.uk
Lofi also helps me relax. I immediately feel calmer mentally and physically when I pull out my playlists. The music’s “soft chill beats actually lull your brain to slow down and tune out stress.” (JapanNamkama.co.uk) The orchestrations of sound make my home a happy place. I mean, all music does that, but there is something about that lofi feel when I want music with no distractions.
A couple lofi tracks I really enjoy are “No Good Thing-Instrumental” by Darla Baltazar. She is born and based in the Phillipines and continually adds to her melodic catalogue of tunes. This track was originally done with words, so imagine my joy when I found the instrumental.
Another artist I extremely enjoy is Rottendam native Glimlip. I think I learned of him early on in my lofi journey. Talk about ease, his work finds me where I am. Green Heart is one my favorites.
Sarah, the illstrumentalist’s music has become one of my recent quality findings. Born in Raleigh, NC and now based in Los Angeles, Sarah is a producer and content creator who I was happy to stumble upon in my Spotify searches. Monarch Butterflies has the perfect lofi vibes for with a solid of a two-step beat.
I’ve curated a playlist of lofi music for your enjoyment. You can listen to it here. I hope it adds a bit of joy and calm to your day and helps you to focus. I hope it makes the to-do lists a little sunnier. The benefits of lofi music runs deep, but it’s my hope that you experience it for yourself and add it to your day-to-day routine.
Kendolyn Walker is a creative based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.
Three Reasons to Attend the Uptown Night Market Experience!
Anika Dara.
summerbaby and Lee Taylor.
Host AJ Ryan.
summerbaby.
Dan Kiernan.
Amanda Davis.
Photos by Johnncy Ryan.
If you’ve never been to a night market, make it your mission to attend the Uptown Night Market, taking place in New York City this summer and fall. Night markets are bazaars that take place at night and are generally open-air style events dedicated to leisurely strolling, shopping, eating, and listening to music, which originated in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Chinatowns in several other regions of the world
Here are three reasons to attend this summer:
Bring your whole family. Last summer, I had the opportunity to attend the Uptown Night Market at 133rd and 12th Ave. at the Harlem Viaduct. Organized by Masc Hospitality, the same organization behind the Bronx Night Market, which had been running for the last four years. I was elated to find out this street festival — with live music — was being held in my very own neighborhood. When I attended, I noticed that people of all ages came out to enjoy the family-friendly event, filled with excellent music, cuisine, and merchants..
Support local vendors and businesses. This year, 2022, I am happy to report that the Uptown Night Market is now happening every month until November. In addition to this, the Bronx Night Market is celebrating five years at Fordham Plaza. Every second Thursday of the month and last Saturday of the month, the street festivals take place in Harlem and the Bronx. Local vendors are on hand to sell their clothing, candles, soaps, and jewelry, among other things. Food carts and trucks also line the street and plaza for one of the biggest monthly block parties in the boroughs.
The City Love NYC experience. Also, new this year, the music line-up features City Love NYC, which I founded with my good friend Brandon Camphor in 2016 at The Bitter End, in the West Village. It has been our delight to watch the show grow. So you can imagine how excited I was when Masc Hospitality invited us to partners. Every month, at both the Uptown Night Market and the Bronx Night Market, our neighbors in both boroughs can enjoy a full City Love NYC show featuring the City Love NYC band. Each set features three local artists and is hosted by AJ Ryan and AshtnMrtn. This spring and summer alone, we have featured music from Althea Walker, summerbaby, Dan Kernan, Amanda Davis, Anika Dara, and Lee Taylor.
So if you are in the NYC area, we invite you all to come out and join us on the second Thursday of the month in Harlem, or the last Saturday of the month in Fordham Plaza of the Bronx for a good, electric, positive time!
For more information and to keep up with our dates, please follow @citylovenyc on Instagram as well as @bronxnightmarket and @uptownnightmarket.
Kendolyn Walker is a creative based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.
A Cozy Chat with Natalie Forteza
Natalie Forteza and WG Music Editor Kendolyn Walker in conversation.
As Natalie Forteza sat in her Mid-Hudson Valley office and me in my Harlem apartment, we discovered that we share a love for Sadé, Jimmy Fallon, and Ted Lasso. During our Zoom call, we exchanged laughs and her passion for music was evident as she enthusiastically spoke about the writing process, performances, and her journey as an artist.
Natalie’s latest tracks, "What Christmas Should Always Be" and "Who's She" are available on all streaming platforms. I encourage you to take them in, and while you do, continue reading below to learn more about this brilliantly authentic New York-based singer-songwriter.
WG: Tell us more about you and your background - where did you grow up and what were your interests growing up?
Natalie: I’m Texas-born but New York-raised. Around the age of 3 or 4 years old my family—my mom, dad, brother, and I moved to NY from Texas. Up until the age of 12 or 13 we moved every few years. We never lived in NYC, we lived North of the city in different towns of Westchester County, and later we migrated further North to Putnam County. When I got married, my husband & I moved to lower Dutchess County and have remained here for the past 15 years. The Hudson Valley area, and my family upbringing, are the frame in which I’ve grown into the person I am today. It’s always hard to say where I grew up because we moved around a lot the earlier part of my life, and while I have treasured memories in every place we’ve lived, home was always felt wherever my family was.
I was raised by amazing parents. My Mama, Nannette, is Venezuelan-born with some French lineage (and Spanish ancestry somewhere in there too), and my Dad, Antonio, was Puerto Rican with Spanish ancestry [Antonio was my step-dad on paper, but he was always "Dad." He’s the father that raised me to the fullest of its meaning]. My Dad and my Mom gave me my baby sister Adriana. My biological father, Omar, was Colombian, and although I never had the chance the share this world with him, he gave me my brother Anwar, and two sisters Jessika & Alejandra.
Growing up my interests were many, like nature (we often went camping), animals, really anything art! Photography, drawing, painting… I loved it all! I was in my glory when I got new art supplies and even now I still have to exercise restraint in an art supply shop! The pinnacle of my art store visits was when I got a Bob Ross painting set (I never could get those landscapes right though). While I loved it all, i I don’t think I was that great at the visual arts (although I’m thankful my Mom is so sweet to still have some of my watercolors proudly on her wall lol).
“The constant current underneath it all has always been my love for music. I have always been in love with music.”
The constant current underneath it all has always been my love for music. I have always been in love with music. My mother joined the church choir, and she played the Cuatro occasionally at home, but we weren’t necessarily a musical family in the sense that we had musicians in the family, we were just a family that deeply loved music. Music was always on. We listened to a lot of different genres of music: Pop, R&B, Jazz, Opera, Classical, Latin, New Age, and World music. I was fascinated with Opera when I was really little. I’d be held in a trance staring at the TV watching PBS specials, in awe of the spectacular sounds coming out of their mouths! I might be the only kid that wanted to invite other kids over to watch Opera (no surprise that no children came, just Mom). Other than blasting The Police in the car, the music that floods the soundtrack of my childhood the most was Brazilian jazz like that of Joao Gilberto (along with Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto, and company), along with Venezuelan folk music like that of Serenata Guayanesa. All of these, hold a golden place in my heart.
It's so hard to explain what it does to my soul when I hear this music, it feels like home. When I hear that music, I close my eyes and reminisce on the afternoons we spent in the yard, swinging in the hammocks, playing with my little sister in the sandbox, Mama’s pitcher of iced tea, being in the kitchen while she cooked, setting the table for company, the many walks we did around the neighborhood and the smell of campfires. Like they say, music transports.
WG: Tell us more about what you do and how you empower the community of women around you.
Natalie: I'm a singer and songwriter. While I look forward to the day that writing, recording, and touring (and being on Jimmy Fallon) become my full-time vocation, I also have the honor of working part-time for a woman-owned and operated health + beauty brand, Cold Spring Apothecary.
It’s hard for me to say how I might empower the community of women around me, as they would know more than I. I’d like to think that I offer them the kind of space to be themselves, to be heard and listened to and to be seen without judgment; how I would want to be empowered and supported. We can be awfully hard on ourselves, so I do feel that it’s important we surround ourselves with people we admire, who we can be honest with, who can see who we are and who we can be even through our shortcomings, and can intervene or come to our defense when we’re not kind or true to ourselves.
WG: When did you start writing and singing?
Natalie: I always sang, I sang in the car wherever we went, I sang in the shower (for the acoustics of course), but it was always timidly in the comfort of my nuclear family. It wasn't until my mid-teens that I worked up the nerve to put myself in front of people, starting at church, then Chorus and concert productions in high school. Even though I had vivid dreams of being a singer, an artist, it felt like a faraway dream and an unlikely reality.
I chickened out auditioning for a music school, so I studied Communications in college, got a job, and tried to ignore those vivid dreams to be “more realistic.”
Before I got the chance to reconsider, in 2001 my Dad, Antonio, passed tragically in the American Airlines flight 587 crash. Needless to say, the only thing I could focus on then was my family.
I ran into a high school classmate years later, and he was surprised I hadn’t “ended up in music,” because he remembered me singing, and loving music so much in school. What he said stayed with me, and with my Dad’s passing, it was a reminder of how life can change so suddenly, so I thought I should do something about it.
I started to look for opportunities to perform, I joined a local jazz group for a short while before I felt I needed to start my own thing. There’s a long list of people I’m grateful for that led me to that decision, and that ultimately led me to who I am today. Some I had short conversations with, and others I have known for years. Having collected words of support, kindness, and encouragement from various sources led me to believe that if I was going to pave my own way, I had to find my own voice, and learn to write my own songs. I NEVER thought I’d be a songwriter. I didn’t have the chops, I didn’t come from a family of musicians, I didn’t go to school for music, I didn’t play an instrument. All these reasons were stacked up in my head. However, through the beautiful degrees of separation that is the music community, I found my musical “hermanos,” my friends and bandmates. I’ve had a blast performing and writing with my writing cohorts: Akie Bermiss (keys) and Anthony Candullo (bass) for the past 10 years.
WG: Who inspires you and why?
Natalie: Oof. I could write endless paragraphs to answer this question. I’ll try to be as concise as possible [cracks knuckles]. Musically, there are quite a few I could mention.
My foremost and steadfast muse has been and will forever be, Sade. I still pray for the day that I might have the chance to meet her and the band. Every artist/musician has a moment when they say, “That’s it! That’s what I want!” Sade (she herself, as well as the band) did it for me. Sade created a space for me. Sade helped me to find my voice. Sade broke molds. While their music had a signature sound, it blurred genre lines (in a time when hard labels were king). Their music felt organic, not trend-driven, and as a vocalist, she delivered velvety melodies without the acrobatics, and the vibe?! C’mon! She’s the Queen. Watching her was like seeing manifestations of my own dreams—the visuals, the drama, the simplicity, the depth, the stage production, the lighting, the fabric, the instrumentation, the recording production, and on and on. In a time, when labels notoriously dictated what, when and how, she seemed to defy that and live her art on her terms, and sell out huge shows. What I can say is for the young, timid, alto singer I was at the time, who didn't have the mega voice of the chart- topping legends of the time, she released me, she gave me permission to be myself, to find my own voice, and OWN it. I never wanted to emulate her, no one can, but she was living proof of the things I had only dreamed of in my head, and proof that you could be true to yourself and your craft AND still be successful.
I’m always gaining new inspiration from artists I discover, but a couple that have been with me for some time would also be Sting—a songwriter who, in my opinion, can look at a stone and write an amazing song about it! Emily King, a native New Yorker, has also carved out a space for herself and her art. Her authenticity feels so organic it seems like you could call her up to meet for coffee. She has the sweetest voice, and just writes superb, superb songs.
“My mom has had tremendous triumphs and devastating trials throughout her life and has met them both with humility, grace, humanity, authenticity, hope, perseverance, and sacrifice.”
In life, there are also many people who inspire me, but this person is the “Sade” of my personal life. My Mama. My mom has had tremendous triumphs and devastating trials throughout her life and has met them both with humility, grace, humanity, authenticity, hope, perseverance, and sacrifice. She’d never say she “lost” anything, she’ll only tell you what she gained. She truly “sees” people, her compassion is boundless, even if she disagrees with you or you’ve crossed her, she’ll tell you like it is, in her sassy-Latina-like way, but also in the nicest way. We have had some dark times, and even in the middle of it, we could find a way to laugh—like stomach-cramps-level laughing, just extraordinary. She pushes us to be our best, and always accepts us as we are. My mother has loved us at our best and at our worst. She gave us our sense of home and our sense of adventure. She’s both couture and good-ol'-classic-jeans. She’s champagne and beer. She’s whimsical and worldly, and through all of it always solidly on the ground.
WG: What are you most proud of in the work that you do?
Natalie: I keep trying and I keep learning. While I can be pretty hard on myself, I can say that I'm not afraid to work, to keep learning, to keep getting better in as much as I can. Whether it's vocal growth, performance, songwriting, time management, social media, production, or playing an instrument.
WG: What has been your biggest struggle as an artist/ creative?
Natalie: I was just about to list a few things right off the bat I struggle with, but after taking a second to think about it, it all comes down to one thing really--staying out of my own way, and more importantly, staying out of God's way is the hardest struggle. It rears its head the most often in two areas:
1. Vulnerability - mostly when it comes to live performances. I put a lot of pressure on myself, and I get in my own way to take risks, to make mistakes—I know it’s how you grow—but letting go is hard to do, and often the what I need to pray about before performing.
2. Letting go of the pressure of always being “on.” There's a lot of problem-solving involved in trying to achieve big dreams; financial constrictions, limited contacts, not having enough time, not having enough help, not having enough exposure. "how do I get to this point?” There's a lot of pressure to constantly be “on," doing something all the time to solve or work through these challenges. I believe in being a good custodian to the gifts & passions I've been given, by growing, being disciplined, and being driven. If I'm not mindful, I'll get in my own way and in God's way, stealing peace and rest from myself, keeping myself from just living life! In doing so I get in the way of relying on Him. So I need to do a better job of inviting Him, including Him in the process, in the challenges, in the failures, and in the victories. Way easier said than done of course, but it's something I'm trying to be more heedful of.
“If I'm not mindful, I'll get in my own way and in God's way, stealing peace and rest from myself, keeping myself from just living life!”
WG: Is there a verse, quote, or life mantra that you live by? If so, what is it?
Natalie: I've had some wonderful, life-changing vocal coaches, one of which was Sharon Bryant. During our sessions, she'd give me an exercise and she'd see me thinking and calculating before anything would come out of my mouth, so she'd put her hands on my shoulders, look me in the eye and say to me, "Natalie, just sing!" Those words help me to get out of my head. Creators often strive for perfection, but it really gets in the way of just doing whatever it is we need to do, including the need to make mistakes. Something I really don't like! I know it's a necessary part of the process, so I have to tell myself, "don't think, just sing." This translates into other areas too. Her words have turned into somewhat of a Nike-like slogan for other things, "don't think, just write," "just trust," "just rest." I've started to write "Just Sing" on my setlists to give myself permission to let go, and give myself over to whatever comes. Thank you for this Sharon.
WG: What does faith mean to you? How do you live it out practically? Natalie: A question that's hard to answer in just a few words. A basic definition of faith is, "a belief and trust in and loyalty to God." But it's more than that, isn’t it? To me, it's a trust-fall into God's hands. It's believing before I can see versus seeing and then believing. It's trusting God's promises. It’s an invitation, a relationship with God, through Christ.
I live it out practically knowing that I'm not perfect, my faith isn't perfect, but He is. I miss having a dad, and it helps me to understand faith, by seeing Him as a parent, my heavenly Father; He wants to provide. He wants to be invited into my life, and He wants me to trust Him even if I don't understand. And when I fall, He's there, every time. There's no question my mother loves her children; she loves all of who we are, the good and the ugly. So if I can believe that, then how much more does God love us?
WG: What has God shown you as you continue to grow in your craft/career?
Natalie: He constantly surprises me. I've thought of or prayed for something, and ever so gently or suddenly He answers it. He's given me strength-physical and mental-when I've asked for it. He's given me creative clarity and inspiration when I've asked for it. Having spent so much time by myself the last couple of years during the pandemic, when I had been so accustomed to working with others, I had to ask for His help to give me the ability, the mental bandwidth, and patience, and He answered all of it overabundantly.
Ephesians 3:20, "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."
He's also showed me to trust the "no's." Another area I struggle with, but so important to be cognizant of. Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano, known as the duo, Johnnyswim, said it best in their book Home Sweet Road, "...When God closes the door sometimes, walk away from the damn door. [Abner] You're at the wrong door [Amanda]...You're at the wrong house. On the wrong block. You know what I mean?! Keep walking, keep moving [Abner]."
WG: What has brought your happiness while dealing with the pandemic (since March 2020)?
Natalie: So much. At the height of the pandemic when we couldn't really go anywhere, picnics on a blanket in the yard made us feel like we were away, we created little seating nooks in our house, so when we made cortados and cappuccinos it made us feel like we were in a cafe somewhere. The first food we got to-go was a bacon-egg-and-cheese from a local spot in Beacon, NY [Beacon Daily]. We would drive an hour just to get out of the house to our favorite town of Hudson to buy coffee and croissants to-go from one of our favorite spots [Le Perche]. Sitting on the front stoop, watching live stream concerts over several weeks of one of our favorite artists, Amos Lee.
One of my absolute favorite things was (and still is) reading my Ian Fleming, James Bond books! They offered blissful escapism and inspired me so much that I wrote my own "Bond song," called "Love is a Gun." The thrill writing it made me so happy you would've thought Barbara Broccoli had asked me to write it for the last Bond film. We made cocktails to celebrate the song's premiere (aka uploading it to SoundCloud lol) at our favorite lounge (aka, our living room). Above all else, what not only kept us afloat through it all but helped us to find happiness amongst the chaos was, gratefulness. Grateful to be healthy, grateful to have everything we needed; work, food, a home, a peaceful home, and each other, having a partner, the best companion, my hubby by my side through it all was everything.
WG: What are you listening to right now? Who's on your music playlist?
Natalie: Ooooh ok, here goes! RY X has been on repeat for close to 2 years now! His album "Live from the Royal Albert Hall" and various classical music playlists were what got me through some of the toughest parts of the pandemic. Amos Lee is always on heavy rotation. Emily King has a permanent address in my playlists, and artists like Lianne La Havas, London Grammar, Yola, Lauren Daigle, Johnnyswim, Max Richter live in the playlist neighborhood too. Can we talk about Adele's new album, 30?! I couldn't be more thrilled for her. Most recently, I listened to Yebba's "Live at Electric Lady." wow. It's been a while since I've wanted to get lost in headphones listening to a record. She's incredible, I find myself hanging on every note that comes out of her, and what I would've given to be a fly on the wall for that session.
WG: What has been your favorite venue to perform in at this point and why?
Natalie: I have a couple of favorite venues like Daryl's House, owned by Daryl Hall, for its first-class hospitality and tremendous sound design--Pete Moshay is the best. The Falcon, also for its heartwarming hospitality, and community is its heartbeat. Tony Falco, a legend and its founder, was a champion of artists and musicians local and worldwide, and while he's no longer with us, his spirit has stayed with us all. But one of the most recent venues I had the honor of playing was the historic Tarrytown Music Hall in Tarrytown, NY, the sound was crystalline and getting the chance to play a historic stage like that in my backyard per se, left me pretty inspired.
WG: What do you do to rest and pour into yourself?
Natalie: Movies. Books. Croissants. And coffee. I love me some movies and a bag of Bjorn Qorn popcorn (I'm terrible at sharing popcorn though). I loved books all my life, but I feel like, for a long time, I couldn't finish them, or I didn't make enough space for them. But over the past few years, I've been able to renew my book love, and really enjoy diving into a book, so much so that I try to carve out 30 minutes at least three times a week to read. Especially if it's a Bond book, James Bond, 007. If I didn’t emphasize this point before, I am a Bond fanatic! My hubby gave me the first book of the series a few years ago, and since then I've been gobbling up the subsequent books, just loving the escapism in them. But the best is when the hubby & I can find a new or favorite spot to grab a coffee and a croissant, those moments are precious and really renew me.
WG: What was your most recent TV show binge? Why did you like it, or why didn't you like it?
Natalie: Ted Lasso! oh, man. Easily one of the best, and favorite shows ever. It was unexpected, I fell so fast in love with his character, rooting for him, and ended up rooting for so many more characters as the episodes unfolded. The character arcs were brilliantly written and executed. I belly laughed, and full-on cried. Touching on so many relatable subjects it was easy to latch onto the emotions (here comes the deep stuff). Honestly, I kinda feel like Ted sometimes, like I'm the new kid trying to convince people why I'm here. I'm often the obnoxious optimist trying to be the hypeman for myself and others (if I could walk around with a "Believe" sign I would), and I think people assume that because I'm an optimist or positive I must not have any trauma or grievances of my own. But like we learn in Ted Lasso, don't judge a book by its cover. Ted Lasso did a great job of punching through expectations and assumptions, with a full range of emotions and did it in a way that when you finished an episode you couldn't resist a smile on your face.
WG: Which of your songs is your favorite to perform?
Natalie: As of late, "Love is a Gun (a tribute to James Bond, 007)”
WG: Tell me about the top 3 people in your life who cheer the loudest for you.
Natalie: Yikes. This feels like the Hunger Games trying to narrow it down to 3 spots: #1. My husband, Saverio. That's easy. Spots #2 and #3 I'm gonna have to give to my whole family (to avoid a chancleta (a flip flop in Spanish) getting thrown at me. My mother, my siblings, my Abuela (my grandmother), and the whole family tree is shaking, cheering for me, I can feel it.
WG: Lastly, where can people find you or your work?
Natalie: www.NATALIEFORTEZA.com. My music is available on all major platforms and social media via Instagram: @natalie_forteza and Facebook: @nataliefortezamusic.
WG: Anything else that you want to share about your passions or that you want our readers to know about you?
Natalie: Random trivia? Hmm... I have a serious popcorn problem, I loooooove Popcorn. I LOVE shoes. I'm not an excessive person, but I can never have too many shoes. Maybe it's a hidden talent, maybe not, I don't know, but I have this thing, a game really, "Who's voice is that?" When watching commercials, I can usually figure out who the celebrity is in the voiceover—it’s not a superpower I know, but could be a fun talent for a skit on Jimmy Fallon one day.
Kendolyn Walker is a creative based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.
A Sibling Christmas Playlist
Last week, I had the pleasure of chatting with my younger brother, Jason Walker, about The Music Monday Playlist we collaborated on, “A Sibling Christmas,” which is available now on our Wit + Grace Spotify account.
In this conversation, we talked about our childhood, the holiday traditions our parents maintained, and our love for music. We also, I also… danced. Rare footage y’all of your friendly music editor moving to the beat, or off the beat, at times. In any case, the Los Angeles - Harlem love was felt and we took time to play a few of the tunes to give a taste of the playlist. Enjoy the full video here and then listen to the complete playlist for good times, with a touch of nostalgia.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays from our family to yours!
Kendolyn Walker is a creative based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.
Christmas Music Review
I Dream Of Christmas by Norah Jones
I DREAM OF CHRISTMAS, Norah Jones
So Christmas came early for me this year when Norah Jones announced that she was releasing a Christmas album in October. Honestly, this album is a dream for serious Norah Jones fans. Each track is touched by the signature melodic, Calgon-take-me-away sound her voice consistently gives.
Jones released I DREAM OF CHRISTMAS on October 15th and specific tracks from the work of art have already been featured a couple of times on The Music Monday Playlist.
The project starts with Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones). As the piano plays, I feel led to put the kettle on for some hot chocolate and marshmallows. Then the album continues with Christmas Don’t Be Late. The run on the “Me, I want a hula hoop” lyric is slow, easy, and fantastic. Christmas Glow sounds like a beautiful snowfall. This song makes me feel like I am walking through a wintry mix looking at lights in neighborhoods that compete with their house decor. It’s Only Christmas Once A Year gives Hallmark vibes, so you can put this on rotation between the endless showings of holiday movies on their TV channel. You’re Not Alone is a beautifully written song that is completely about the gospel of Jesus. The sound takes me to church, specifically the chorus and piano accompaniment. A Holiday With You is a fun ditty from the perspective of someone longing to spend the season with their crush. The good time continues with a tune about the reindeer of all reindeer in Run Rudolph Run. The title track, I Dream Of Christmas, continues the feels from Christmas Glow in giving the same warmth with a bit of an 80s/90s rhythm pattern. And with I’ll Be Home For Christmas, this good time comes to an end. But it doesn’t have to due to the ease of looping the album on your streaming platform of choice. Spotify is favored most deeply in my household.
Please don’t just take my word for it, I strongly suggest you experience this bit of holiday music excellence for yourself. It is quite clear Norah Jones and Christmas music go hand-in-hand. The fine pairing is indeed classic and will no doubt be enjoyed for years to come.
“When those weary nights, take over your mind, I say His love won’t leave you behind”
INFINITE CHRISTMAS, Infinity Song
Coming from a large family, I have a sweet spot in my heart for sibling music groups. When I first learned about Victory Boyd, I was surprised to learn that she also had brothers and sisters who can all SING. Their group Infinity Song released a 3-track EP with Christmas tunes that you will definitely want to play at your gatherings this year.
Christmas Baby is a cute song about longing for a gift of a person. It has a bit of a summer vibe, and the visual reminds me of the R & B videos I grew up on. Home For Christmas is a feel-good tune with a pop, California flare. The chorus is particularly catchy. The guitar intro on Beautiful Christmas sets the tone for the track. The lyrics cause you to stop and sit in gratitude.
Honestly, the fact that a family of siblings created this whole project adds to the goodness of it. Whether you are with your cousins, grandparents, children, aunts and uncles or at home solo on Christmas, INFINITE CHRISTMAS brings the joyful spirit of the holiday, with a lot of happiness, to your home.
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS, Vince Guaraldi Trio
Now we shall get into one of my top favorite Christmas albums of all time. Yes, it reminds me of my childhood. Yes, there are no lyrics. Yes, I believe this work is genius. A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS continues to be a timeless treasure every December.
From the happiness of the keys in Skating to the dramatic overtones in What Child Is This, this album provides the perfect soundtrack for an intimate gathering, a classroom busy at work, or a large office party.
I want to specifically focus on Linus and Lucy for a second. The opening begins with the deeper octave of keys, immediately drawing you in. As the chords continue, they tell a story and set the scene for daydreaming to take place. Towards the end, a break happens in the song as the keys rise the scales bringing me, the listener, SHEER DELIGHT.
Christmastime Is Here, Greensleeves, and O Tannebaum are other holiday classics the trio covers. Overall, this album is the definition of Christmas music. Again, please don’t just take my word for it. I implore you to take it in for yourself. Yes, you will want to pull out the Christmas tree. Yes, you will want to pull out lights to decorate your porch and windows. Yes, you will want to bake cookies. Oh, and of course you will want to watch the actual special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” repeatedly.
Kendolyn Walker is a creative based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.
Headphone Delights: Tracks By Laura Mvula, Peter Cottontale and Madison Ryann Ward
Pink Noise, Laura Mvula’s latest album.
I came across Peter Cottontale when I was looking for songs by Yebba (a female artist whose mesmerizing voice has been featured multiple times on our #MusicMondayPlaylist). I found “Forever Always” and loved the originality of it. The track takes several turns, features several stellar artists and I loved the complete ride.
So, over the past few weeks, I have come into Peter’s full library, starting with his album, CATCH (2020). Guys, his music is such a breath of fresh air. The creative way in which his music reminds us of God’s truths and beautifully speaks to relevant life circumstances leaves your spirit feeling rejuvenated.
Let me get into my favorites. “Do Your Thing” is a perfect way to open the album. The organ starts out and takes us to Sunday mornings in church. The chorus cheers us on to walk in the purpose God has specifically given each of us. “Keys, Wallet, Phone, God” has a soft melody, and calming tone giving a personal feel in speaking to faith. “Saul/Paul” though? This intensely, creative track tells the story of one of the Bible’s heroes. Although I truly believe you will enjoy Peter Cottontale’s full album, the last one I will mention is “Find You.” The horns, the harmonies and the lyrics will give you hope and remind you of the loved ones who are no longer with us. Enjoy the video of this tune played live at Lollapalooza 2020.
Since Sing To The Moon (2013), Laura Mvula’s voice has shifted my perspective, taken me to happy places and lulled me to sleep when I couldn’t otherwise. A guy I was dating then sent me the record and I gave it a listen. The excellent quality and texture of her voice honestly made me feel like everything is going to be okay. This may sound dramatic, but once you take her debut project or “Magical” from her latest project, Pink Noise, I dare you to tell me different.
To begin with the retro feels that open the song simply put you in a good space. This is a tune that speaks to a life-changing relationship. At least the passion in Laura’s voice give that impression, a moment worth fighting for.
The electric guitar part in the second verse is indeed special. I highly recommend listening with GOOD headphones, as some parts of the orchestration could be missed. And the harmonies … goodness the harmonies. They hit you in the third run of the chorus. The song ends leaving you in a galaxy-like state when Laura’s voice fades repeating “Do you remember?” You have no choice but to reminisce on what once was or simply appreciate the magic you are currently enjoying. The visualizer is posted here with lyrics.
CATCH, by Peter Cottontale
Finding “Player” by Madison Ryann Ward was a pleasant surprise one Spotify-surfing night a few weeks back. I am pretty sure I saw it as a recommendation (those people on that music streaming platform know me so well). So once I took it in, via headphones of course, I knew I wanted this track on the #MusicMondayPlaylist. The guitar intro alone, with the easy drum sets the tone for the song. Her voice, along with the lyrics, easily make this one of my top choices for a morning soundtrack.
“Higher” is another beautiful work with sweet harmonies and a jazzy feel. The electric guitar puts me instantly at ease. The lyrics speaks to the personal relationship between God and women. The intimate sound makes it a perfect devotional experience. The video is posted here for your listening pleasure.
Both of these tracks are refreshing additions to my Christian library as I continue to look and find music that soothes my soul, while reminding me of the One who loves me the most.
Kendolyn Walker is a creative based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.
Anika Dara Reminds Us To "Enjoy The Moment"
By Kendolyn Walker
“Whatever inspires or influences me I want to reflect that but I don't want to ever feel like I have to use someone else's voice.” - Anika Dara
Meet Anika Dara, a Brooklyn-based singer, and songwriter whose self-described simple yet eloquent lyrics are accompanied by whimsically soulful vocals.
I had the awesome chance to talk with her the day after her very first release, Enjoy The Moment. We had a delightful conversation about her inspiration and process for writing the song as we sat in our Harlem and Brooklyn homes via Zoom. We also discussed the meaning of the song and how it applies to the beginnings of a relationship. This tune has a nostalgic 90s R & B feel, with a memorable chorus, which reminds you that every good relationship is built from friendship.
Kendolyn: Anika, thanks for joining us today. On your website, you describe your voice as soulful, I would love to know what God has shown you specifically about your voice as you wrote and recorded "Enjoy The Moment"?
Anika: During the recording process, God used someone else to let me know that I have a fast vibrato that needs to be under better control & that I need more studio experience. This was great because no one's ever told me that and I appreciated the constructive criticism. God also showed me that I'm ready, despite not being able to do all the things I wanted or planned. I've always been confident in my vocal ability but had been feeling out of it. During the recording process, my voice was under a lot of stress and I felt ill-prepared. I was encouraged to hear that my vocals came out well under the circumstances, but knowing that I can do way better made me excited and gave me something to look forward to.
I can't escape the fact that I still need to embrace my own sound. I used to pride myself on being able to sing anything but, during the recording process, I realized the last thing I want to do is make music for me while sounding or feeling like it would be better if I sounded like someone else. I want my highs to be my highs and my lows to be my lows. Whatever inspires or influences me I want to reflect that but I don't want to ever feel like I have to use someone else's voice.
Kendolyn: What was the inspiration for "Enjoy The Moment"?
Anika: It was inspired by an unlikely friendship that turned into one of the closest relationships I've ever had. Walking through life navigating through all the demands, expectations, truths, and realities of the relationship. Being present throughout the process and learning experiences. And enjoying the moments meant to be enjoyed along the way.
Kendolyn: What do you do to rest and pour into yourself?
I say no. I need regular alone time. I usually only do what's necessary and what's edifying. I try to lead a well-scheduled, well-disciplined life, and other than that live in a place of rest. I have fixed times to spend with God other than the unscheduled times with Him throughout the day. I try to go to bed at 9 PM, take naps, eat well, and exercise. I also try not to neglect hobbies excluding singing, dancing, listening to music, etc.
Kendolyn: What was your most recent TV show binge? Why did you like it, or why didn't you like it?
Anika: Last night I binge-watched "The 12" which is an animation based on the book of Revelation. I also watched "The Dark" which is an end-times kind of series as well. I liked the action and the drama of it. I also like how it relates to the world today. I wish "The Dark" had more seasons & perhaps a bigger budget. I wish there were more episodes of "The 12" as well.
Kendolyn: If you could collaborate with three people, on a song, who would it be and why?
Anika: Three people on three different songs? If I could collaborate with three people on a song it would be Peter Collins, Matthew West, and Jonathan McReynolds. Peter Collins is amazing on guitar and I'm interested in hearing what the vocal harmonies would sound like. Matthew West and Jonathan McReynolds are just two of my favorite songwriters. Matthew West is so creative. Jonathan McReynolds also expresses himself well on topics that really resonate with me.
Learn more about Anika and her inspiration for Enjoy the Moment by watching our video conversation below and visiting her website.
Kendolyn Walker (music editor for Wit+Grace Magazine) talks with singer Anika Dara.
“Enjoy The Moment” is available on all streaming music platforms.
Spotlight on "Jazzonia: The Marriage of Poetry and Jazz"
by Kendolyn Walker
Poet Altovise laster begins the may 4th session of “Jazzonia: The marriage of poetry and jazz”, along with musicians andré chez lewis (Piano), kenji tokunaga (bass), alex durant (drums) and kappa tanabe (electric guitar).
June is Black Music Month, an annual celebration of African-American music in the U.S, since the June 7, 1979 declaration by then President Jimmy Carter. In his 2016 proclamation commemorating the month, President Barack Obama noted that African-American music and musicians have helped the country "to dance, to express our faith through song, to march against injustice, and to defend our country's enduring promise of freedom and opportunity for all.
In honor of this tradition, we are paying homage this month to Black artists and musicians who have inspired over the years. First, we would like to highlight the legends of jazz, Nina Simone and Billie Holiday.
This was also the inspiration behind Jazzonia Part Two, held on May 4 at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. The second installment in a three-part series showcasing jazz poetry, a genre of poetry made popular by Harlem Renaissance poet and writer Langston Hughes in the 1920s. One of his first jazz poems, Jazzonia, serves as the title and theme of this project.
I had the honor of curating this program with the vision of honoring Mr. Hughes legacy as well as Nina Simone’s and other jazz greats with modern work by current poets. This event featured spoken word artists Lacresha Berry and Altovise Laster, who performed their own poetry to classic Holiday and Simone tunes alongside the City Love NYC band. What is most unique about this series is that the pieces selected were written and chosen to complement the songs played.
Watch the video below and tune in to the other two sessions on the YouTube or Facebook pages of The National Jazz Museum in Harlem.
10 Things to See and Do This Summer
by Kendolyn Walker
SUMMER 2021 is not one to be missed, specifically with the challenges, loss and heaviness that came with the pandemic last year. I am excited for each moment of these next three months and however you decide to spend your weekends, Summer Fridays or happy hours, may these new memories provide a beautiful backdrop to a new chapter. With that, this is Kendolyn Walker (music editor for WG) giving you my top ten events and spaces for summer happy.
Virtual Vibe: Bamboozled by Jesus by Yvonne Orji (@yvonneorji)
Ah, one of my favorite actresses and comedians. Every time I see the “Live” button on IG, I quickly tune in. Yvonne Orji speaks boldly about her love for Jesus and faith. In being a tremendous encouragement to me as a fan, I can only imagine the goodness her book, Bamboozled by Jesus holds. This virtual event with Ayesha Curry (hosted by The Lit Bar) will take place on May 25th and a book is included in ticket purchase. You can RSVP here.
Uptown Night Market (@maschospitality)
Harlem VIaduct by Matthew Chimera Photo
“The new Uptown Night Market, described as "a global celebration of cuisine, community and culture" will happen monthly in West Harlem from 4–10 p.m., starting June 10. It will continue on the second Thursday of the month through October.” From Patch.com
This event is close to my heart and my home y’all. Beginning next month, this Harlem goodness will be taking place under the Riverside Drive Viaduct.
Blended Festival - Nashville, TN @blendedfest
This 3-city festival kicks off in Nashville, August 13th - 14th at First Horizon Park and is produced by My Wine Society. Tickets are available on the event website.
“Like a fine wine, their talent line up is a curated blend, with something for everyone to enjoy. Main stage kicks off at 4pm on Friday, and 12pm Saturday. The format in earlier hours will feature local DJs and bands... As the party progresses into evening hours, festival goers can expect live shows by some of the biggest names in Country, Pop, and EDM music. The line up compliments the overall Blended experience, with artists announced as they are booked.”
BK Yoga Club Events - Brooklyn, NY (@bkyogaclub)
Source: Harlem World Magazine
Let’s talk about BK Yoga’s summer movie series, intentional candle making classes and book clubs. This black woman-owned spot in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn has all the events! A personal movie favorite of mine, “Love Jones” will be playing on August 27th at 8PM.
Good Co. Bike Club (@goodcobikeclub)
Last year, my sister introduced me to this positive organization whose mantra “WE GOOD” reminds us to enjoy the moment. This bike club started in 2020 amidst the pandemic. They regularly meet up on Sundays and cover NYC terrain. Follow their Instagram account or subscribe to their website for details on their summer rides.
Roller Wave NYC (@rollerwavenyc)
Photo Courtesy of Shawn-Herbert Felton
I learned of this group after my brother bought his first pair of roller skates in 2020. This collective gave him a safe space to meet people, skate and enjoy good music during the pandemic. Roller Wave NYC meets regularly on Sundays, outside, at different playgrounds and parks in the NYC boroughs to simply skate. A DJ is almost always present. Follow their Instagram account and/or website for details on their upcoming events.
Love Has No Limits (@1dayla)
Graphic Courtesy of 1DayLA
Our very own, Niyah Rahmaan (WG Creative Director) is helping to put on a week of outreach and service where 20,000 people from across the globe will come together to simply love on the city of Los Angeles.
1DayLAinvites you to join the Love Has No Limits team to serve and love LA for a full week, July 18-24, 2021. Practical, youth, sports, homeless, and medical outreaches will cover every corner of LA for a historic impact. Then on July 24, 2021 we will gather for a moment together to celebrate 1 year of LOVE HAS NO LIMITS. Click here to learn more and register.
Newport Jazz Festival (@newportjazzfest)
Photo by John Rudoff
Well this is pretty exciting. The well-known Newport Jazz Festival is returning this summer, July 30 - August 1 to Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island! Three days of intimate jazz concerts respecting all Covid 19 precautions. Tickets will go on sale soon so to stay in the loop follow their social media and/ or their website. The organization that puts this event on, The Newport Festivals Foundation, provided financial relief to over 460 musicians last summer as well, clearly showing love for creatives is the heart of their mission.
Songwriter Workshop 2021 (@saragroves)
courtesy of saragroves.com
I have been a lifelong fan of all things Sara Groves. Her music, her lyrics, the way she uses her platform to fight for justice and her love for Jesus. Songwriter Workshop 2021 is an annual event she puts on, with this year making adjustments due to COVID-19:
“We are excited to welcome you to the 2021 AHN Songwriter Workshop, August 13 & 14! Like most venues, our doors have been closed since last March, and we are trying to be thoughtful about how we re-engage with live and virtual audiences. We batted ideas around for quite a while, but decided to make the workshop a fully virtual event for one more year. We have shortened up the schedule, adjusted pricing, added more songwriting feedback group time (and not over the lunch hour!), and have invited a stellar group of teachers/artists!”
Register here for the August 13th - 14th experience.
From www.saragroves.com
French Lick Resort - French Lick, Indiana (@frenchlickresort)
@travelingblackwidow and her daughter, @dr.lizarrito - courtesy of https://www.frenchlick.com/
Guys, I have to mention a getaway oasis in my list. It’s only right, and who doesn’t want to take a day, weekend or week trip to a space with hiking, pools, horses and bikes!? I chose the Midwest to pay homage to my growing years. My family took a vacation there recently, and it was the first time I had heard of French Lick Resorts. Then I saw @travelingblackwidow, one of my favorite IG personalities, visited there as well and posted lovely photos.
“Voted Best Hotel in Indiana by Travel & Leisure Magazine, French Lick Resort is family-friendly, business-competent and perfect for a planned or impromptu getaway. Come experience Old World opulence amid modern comforts served with Midwestern charm — close to home. We’re an easy drive from Louisville, Indianapolis and Cincinnati.” From Frenchlick.com
Music Monday Playlist LIVE: Liz Vice
Liz Vice is one of our favorite musicians. Scratch that - she’s one of our favorite people, period.
We interviewed her a few years ago for the magazine: Beauty In the Weeds and we even invited to her be a part of our inaugural Women Who Rock live event in Harlem.
So as you can see, we can’t get enough of Liz or her music. So we decided to kick off our Music Monday IG LIVE series by catching up with Liz Vice. She shared openly and honestly about how quarantine has affected her and why her music is for everyone.
Tune in to the replay below.
Franchesca Dunmeyer: Desires of My Heart
by Felisha Ellison
Franchesca Dunmeyer is a radical, free worshipper out of Raleigh, North Carolina who has a refreshing new sound and spin on Gospel & Christian music. A singer, songwriter, and musician, Franchesca was first introduced to music in church but began her own journey with Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior in 2016.
Recently, I had the chance to ask Franchesca about her musical journey, her creative process, and her new album. Here’s what she had to say.
Felisha Ellison: Hi Franchesca, Thank you for taking the time to share your musical journey and the story behind your new album, Desires of My Heart. We are excited to share your story with our readers.
Now, tell us, what is the inspiration behind the Desires of My Heart album?
Franchesca Dunmeyer: Desires of My Heart was inspired by a word spoken by God. He clearly told me, “Don’t die with these songs inside of you.” After that moment, I just worked on actively getting the songs I wrote, outside of me. The intention was never to actually create an album. As the songs continued to come out, they all had a resounding theme - they were my feelings, my hopes, and my desires. So, ultimately the album was inspired by a word from God.
Felisha: What was the greatest challenge you overcame as you worked on your album release?
Franchesca: The greatest challenge that I had to overcome during the process of working on the album was honestly my finances. I had to trust God to provide and make a way for me. It’s no surprise that He made a way.
Felisha: If someone could only listen to one song on Desires of My Heart, which song should they listen to and why?
Franchesca: I would urge listeners to listen to track #5 Only Way. Only Way is a perfect description of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. More than listens or streams, it’s about souls. Winning souls for the Kingdom, because that’s all that’s going to matter in eternity, not if I top the charts but if I make disciples and spread the Gospel. Only Way describes that Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life. It deters people from popular beliefs that perhaps Heaven or Hell isn’t real. Only Way shares the gospel and that’s the good news we all need to hear. It reminds people that the only way to the Father in heaven is through the Son, Jesus Christ.
Felisha: What life events do you think prepared you to complete this project?
Franchesca: Giving my life to Jesus prepared me to complete this project. I literally couldn’t have acted on one single thing without God. He’s a constant reminder that it’s not about me, it’s bigger than us all. So, when I had a personal encounter with Christ it changed me and the vision for my life. Afterward, I knew I desired to give Him glory for who He is and all He’s done for me. That’s what I pray is reflected in everything I do, including this project and many other things to come.
What does your creative process look like?
My creative process looks like playing the music that I personally feel connected to. I usually have a recording device nearby and my favorite place to create is in my car. After getting a feel for the beat, a groove with a slight head bop, I begin to sing what’s inside. No pen, no paper - just feelings. After I’ve let out a first take/freestyle, I may begin to mumble melodies or sing random parts that feel good. Following that, I’ll provide some structure [to the song] once I’ve completed the melodies. That’s pretty much it.
What advice would you give other Christian creatives who know that God has placed a desire on their heart to accomplish something but they don’t know where to start?
After speaking what He spoke to me saying, “Don’t die with this music inside of me.” I knew I heard Him clearly and I also knew I’d be obedient. I just didn’t know where to start. So, God is faithful and graced me with direction. He spoke again and said, “Just put one foot in front of the other.” I’ll never forget it. So, those are the words I’ll pass on to you. Just put one foot in front of the other, which means: don’t look at the entire vision He’s given you, instead, look at the very first step, task, call, etc. that needs to take place in order to get to the destination. In that, the pressure is taken off because if God has called you to it, He’ll get you through it. Some doors won’t open until you take the first step and when you make that first step He will meet you there.
When should we expect your next album?
The next album will be released in Spring 2020.
Where can we listen to your current album?
You can find Desires Of My Heart on all streaming platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Pandora, YouTube and many more!
Visit FranchescaMakesMusic.com to hear more music from Desires of My Heart.
Why Lois Francois Is So #Thankful
The radiant, lovely Lois Francois.
by Kendolyn Walker
Meet this agent of change who is helping those in need, while continuing to use her voice to sing about her first love.
Guyana native Loiś François has been singing since the age of eight and while using her voice to bless many over the years, she also opened up a nonprofit organization, God’s Love Nest Foundation, with the aim of restoring families. More recently, Ms. Francois has been working on her debut album, Miracle Working God (due Spring of 2019), a collection of songs God gave her while fighting Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. This holiday season we are thankful for this woman who follows her heart and seeks to make the lives of the people in her community better.
We recently spoke with Mrs. Francois about her music, daily routine and passions. Here’s what she had to say:
Where are you based?
Lois: I am based in Richmond, Virginia.
Are you married, single? Children? Pets?
Lois: I have been married for 34 years, have four children - ages 28, 25, 22 and 20 along with a grandson who recently turned 1. The family’s pet is a 6-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, named Robin.
Do you have a bucket list? If so, what are 2 of the items on it?:
Lois: 1. Visit Israel
2. Build a retreat home to help families going through crises.
Are you a reader? If so, what was the last book you read?
Lois: I am a reader. The last book I read was God’s Creative Power by Charles Capps.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Lois: A singer or a nutritionist/dietitian.
Why did you choose music and what do you hope to accomplish through it?
Lois: My mission, through my music, is to make listeners aware that God’s love for them is limitless and unconditional. He specializes in the impossible. He is their source, strength, provider, deliverer and healer, and desires that they live a productive, enjoyable life. Through my music, I hope to bring encouragement, joy and hope to the listeners. I also pray that their faith will be strengthened to believe God for their healing, deliverance and provision.
What has God revealed to you in writing and singing?
Lois: In writing and singing, God has revealed His unconditional, unfailingly love, His healing power, His provision, and His desire to give me His best at all times.
Do you have any projects coming out in the future?
Lois: In addition to working on this album, I am now working with individuals and groups as a certified independent, John Maxwell speaker, coach, and trainer. My purpose is not only to help propel individuals into their place of power and purpose, but to mobilize them to reach their realm of influence, and maximize their potential.
I offer workshops, seminars, keynote speaking and coaching for both personal and professional development. I also work with organizations at large. In my workshops and coaching sessions, I provide the tools, training and support needed for individuals to successfully accomplish their goals and dreams. Please visit- http://johnmaxwellgroup.com/loisfrancois for more information.
I was reading about your nonprofit organization. How do you balance running such a powerful ministry with your passion for music?
Lois: In my nonprofit organization, I have been blessed with a wonderful group of individuals (board members) who volunteer their time in helping me accomplish our mission (which is to sow into the lives of families in crisis so that they may fulfill God’s purpose for their lives).
What current issue definitely needs to be addressed in this country?
Lois: Loving and respecting each other as God desires. Loving our neighbors as we love ourselves.
What artist do you dream of collaborating with?
Lois: Sinach
Where can our audience find your music?
Lois: CD Baby, Apple Music, Amazon, Deezer, www.godslovenestfoundation.org,
A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS
Favorite Food:
Grilled salmon with baked sweet potatoes & spinach
Favorite Netflix Guilty Pleasure:
The Blind Side, The Sound Of Music
Favorite singer now:
Sinach
Favorite Cereal:
Special K Nourish Coconut Cranberry
Favorite cartoon when you were a child:
Mickey Mouse
Coffee or Tea?
Tea
Morning Person or Night Owl?
Night Owl
She’s an author too! Mrs. Francois enjoying a copy of her autobiography, I Serve You The Back of Jesus.
Summer Music Happenings
Singer, songwriter and poet Dale Novella recently performed at City Love NYC on July 19th at Silvana in Harlem. Follow her for information on all of her upcoming events and performances on Instagram (@dalenovella) and Facebook (@LoveDaleNovella). Her single "Black Girl Magic" is available now on Spotify.
Photo credit: Danielle Carter
New York City has a lot to offer in the summer when it comes to music events. There are many things to do from concerts to museum visits that everyone will enjoy! These free events are a great way to spend the remaining days of summer while discovering new experiences. Check out these links for details on happenings in the city with live music at every turn!
Summer Thursdays at MOMA!
Take a trip to the MOMA and experience diverse music artists from New York City. Every Thursday in August from 5:30 - 8:00, with live music beginning at 6:30 p.m. This event celebrates musicians who are living and working in New York City. The genres range from hip-hop to lo-fi baroque pop even, so get your girls and meet after work!
Source: MoMA
Summerstage Is Still Going Strong!
If Central Park is on your radar, definitely plan to attend SummerStage for amazing concerts and performances. SummerStage is New York's largest free outdoor performing arts festival which utilizes neighborhood parks as gathering spaces to bring music from around the world to the boroughs.
Source: Harlem World Magazine
The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival
Come and celebrate saxophonist Charlie "Bird" Parker in this free celebration of jazz music and the next generation of jazz artists. The festival, which is held every August in lower Manhattan and Harlem, helps brings together veteran players along with young jazz musicians who continue to revitalize jazz. Friend of Wit + Grace, Alicia Olatuja, participated in this annual jazz event last year!
Source: World Street Photography
Outdoor Concerts at the Lincoln Center
The Outdoor Concerts at the Lincoln Center is the perfect way to enjoy music, film, and dance from all over the globe. There are multiple events throughout the summer that pique all interests.
Source: Time Out
#HarlemWorld Concerts
For an international and cultural experience, the #HarlemWorld Concerts are the place to be. International music and dance performances are featured the entire summer. Indeed there is something for everyone.
A Concert Celebrating Women
NPR Music’s Turning the Tables Live: 21st-Century Edition is the perfect place to appreciate women achievements in music. Artists like Carly Rae Jepsen and Jamila Woods will be in concert marking the occasion with their talent.
Source: NPR
City Love NYC!
City Love NYC is a free live music showcase held every 3rd Thursday of the month for independent artists wanting to share their talent with others. The artists are accompanied by a house band creating a quality music experience! View more artists here.
City Love Picnic
The City Love Picnic on Labor Day at Central Park is a great way to relax under the sun and enjoy the present. Come to share and connect with others, stay to breathe and relax.
Alicia's Intuition
In my opinion, Alicia Olatuja has the voice and range similar to the late Whitney Houston, Adele, CeCe Winans and Amy Winehouse. Yep, she is of their caliber. Call me biased if you wish, but I am quite confident you will agree when you listen to her songs.
She recently took time, while on tour, to discuss her upcoming second project, her likes and dislikes, as well as her concert at Kumble Theater in Brooklyn on March 10. Grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and join our conversation.
1. Favorite Food? Ice Cream
2. Favorite Netflix Guilty Pleasure? "Supernatural"
3. What did you want to be when you grew up? A veterinarian
4. Embarrassing moment? When I was a little kid my mother used to make me put baby powder in my underwear. One day i used too much and after sitting on the floor during children's story at my church I got up and there was a baby powder butt print on the carpet. I had to stomp it out to get rid of it. Mortifying ... and hilarious.
5. Do you have a bucket list? If so, what are 3 of the items on it? Not really. I'm immortal. Lol!
6. What is your dream venue to sing in? Wherever Oprah is.
7. Favorite Cereal? Does oatmeal count? If not, Lucky Charms.
8. How old is Puma? (Puma is Alicia's cat, whom I feel has watched me grow up) 13 going on ... Methuselah.
9. Favorite cartoon when you were a child? Muppet Babies.
10. Favorite singer now? Hmmm ... I don't know. Me? Lol!
11. What inspired you to begin writing a second album? I wanted to do an album that championed and celebrated women composers. What better time for such a project than now!
12. What has God revealed to you in this particular writing process? We have to give ourselves permission to be recognized and celebrated, to believe that we are worth being seen and heard as artists, as individuals, and as women.
13. How did you feel after you reached your goal with your crowdfunding campaign? I felt an overwhelming abundance of gratitude and a responsibility to make the most of the opportunity made possible for me by so many generous hearts and believers in my work.
14. Can you again explain the meaning of your album title, Intuition? The extended title of my upcoming album is Intuition - Songs from the Minds of Women. When people think of the word intuition, they usually associate it with a women's internal awareness and emotional instinct. And yes, women are known to be equipped with emotional intelligence. But it is also equally important to recognize and celebrate the intellect and work that women do. This work expands and greatly impacts the artistic world and the world as a whole. We are both emotional and intellectual beings, creating work that is powerful and valid.
15. What is different about this album, as opposed to your first? The subject matter is very different but also my first album Timeless represented where I was in my life then. So much has changed and I've grown a lot as an individual. I believe that growth is reflected in the song selections, arrangements, and compositions of Intuition.
16. What are you enjoying most about your current tour? I love watching how powerful of a unifying force music is. When I travel from North to South, from overseas to across country people respond to the music relatively the same, because we all just want to be happy, feel loved and hopeful for the future. When the people surrender themselves over to the music, to the moment, they leave all the divisive things in life at the door and just enjoy the music and one another. It's the same love everywhere we go and it's beautiful to watch. Kind of makes you wonder who's really the audience, who's watching who. Lol!
17. What is it that you hope to accomplish through your music? I hope to make people's lives more enriched. I want to pass on something positive to the listener that can grow and influence them and others in a positive way.
18. What current issue definitely needs to be addressed in this country? Wow. So many. I think we need to find a way to remove the things that separate us and divide and classify us in order to find the unifying elements that makes us aware of our commonality, our need for vulnerability and dependency on one another.
19. What were your thoughts on Black Panther? I loved it. It was very powerful to see such excellence and positive representation in the cast. I was especially blown away by being able to see in a sense what an African civilization would have looked like if it were not a victim of colonization.
20. Are you a reader? If so what was the last book you read? I love reading! Taltos.
21. What is your favorite restaurant in St. Louis? I don't have one.
22. What was it like singing background on Gregory Porter's "Take Me To The Alley"? What is the meaning of that song? Gregory is a gentle giant with a humble spirit and just a beautiful demeanor. It was such an honor working with him. We laughed a lot and the music was very organic so I didn't have to do much, just follow his lead.
23. What artist do you dream of collaborating with? I dream of working with those who highlight the importance of tending to the lost, lowly, the downtrodden and ones in need as being exemplary of a great leader and individual, not the flaunting and abuse of riches and power.
24. For your upcoming concert, what are you looking forward to most? I'm looking forward to sharing new tunes from the upcoming album with audience members who may never have heard of me or come to one of my shows before but especially with people who have supported me and my music since day one. For those people who have my first album and have stood by me through this musical journey, I want them to be the first people to hear the new tunes and continue on this journey with me. My New York family means so much to me! ♡
Alicia Olatuja will be in concert at Kumble Theater in Brooklyn this Saturday, March 10th at 8pm on behalf of Brooklyn Center For The Performing Arts. Tickets are available at here.
- by Kendolyn Walker, Wit + Grace Music Editor
Women Who Rock: Harlem
The first-ever Women Who Rock live music showcase with artists Cherie, Bethsaida, Madina Cury and Liz Vice, sponsored by City Love NYC and wit + grace Magazine, at Silvana Harlem on January 18, 2018.