R&B

  • Raveena, the “Space Princess” (5/12 at The Foundry)

    This Friday one of Coachella’s most impressive sets (at least according to the seven songs that appeared on the livestream) came from experimental R&B singer/songwriter Raveena.  The Indian artist (who grew up on America’s East Coast) released her sophomore album, Asha’s Awakening, earlier this year.  The LP is, “a...
  • Rina Sawayama, In the Club… Probably For the Last Time (5/7 at The Fillmore)

    Beyond-bourgeoning pop star Rina Sawayama’s first-ever Philadelphia headlining show has already undergone more updates and upgrades than she has proper releases…  The Japan-born, London-based songstress originally sold out The Foundry’s 450-capacity almost instantly, and quickly did the same with the 1,000-capacity upgrade to Theatre of Living Arts.  However, two-plus...
  • JoJo, Bringing the R&B Back to Eraserhood

    Although child-star-turned-pop-sensation JoJo is definitely a “downtown” kind of girl, post-lockdown she’s established herself as a staple of Eraserhood, the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection’s art district most famous as the inspiration behind David Lynch’s Eraserhead.  Last October she headlined an exceptionally intimate (and exceptionally sold out)...
  • Sammy Rae & The Friends: “It’s always an all-inclusive, everybody-is-invited vibe.” (3/5 at TLA)

    “We’re in like the throws of touring.  We’re touring hard.  I never wanna be that cliched Rock N’ Roll thing of, ‘We’re in Rochester tonight, where are we tomorrow?’ but it feels like that sometimes,” says Sammy Rae, laughing.  Sammy Rae is frontwoman and leader of Sammy Rae &...
  • Neal Francis: “It’s been amazing, these moments of disbelief and gratitude.” (2/18 at WCL)

    “I’m just overwhelmingly grateful because I struggled to get anything going for a long time in my life,” says 33-year-old Chicago musician Neal Francis, who is about to kick off a massive tour, which includes headlining dates, festival stops, and a run supporting Amos Lee.  The dates are in...
  • Dark Holiday Volume 1, w/ Bootblacks, Void Vision, Wingtips, and Crash Cathedral (12/9 at W.O.W.)

    Next Thursday, December 9th, Warehouse on Watts will be hosting an alternative holiday celebration presented by Spellbound and DJSC, Dark Holiday Volume 1, a goth/industrial party featuring live performances from Bootblacks, Void Vision, Wingtips, and Crash Cathedral.  I recently got a chance to chat with Void Vision (AKA Shari...
  • Emily Wolfe: “I love to play live, and I love a rowdy audience.” (10/31 at KFN)

    For those still looking for plans for Halloween night, might I suggest Emily Wolfe at the perpetually-decorated-for-the-holiday Kung Fu Necktie?  “I love to play live, and I love a rowdy audience,” says the guitar virtuoso during a recent phone chat, before adding, “We may dress up, we’ll probably play...
  • Saleka: “This feels like our hometown venue.” (10/13, 11/17, and 12/8 at WCL)

    Saleka is not exactly a household name just yet, but there’s a good chance that you’ve recently heard a song or two of hers.  This summer, the Philadelphia-based singer/songwriter released “Remain,” a song that she wrote and recorded for big screen thriller Old by M. Night Shyamalan (Saleka’s own...
  • JoJo Goes Underground… Literally…

    Although child star-turned pop icon JoJo normally enjoys the glam life, donning a full-length vinyl trench coat from the stage of the catacomb-like Underground Arts, she more closely resembled an anti-heroine straight out of the pages of a Marvel publication.  Last Tuesday, October 5th, the songstress brought her Trying...