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Andra Day Delivers Soulful Performance for Austin City Limits’ Taping

Andra Day performs during taping of KLRU’s Austin City Limits set to air this fall on PBS. Photo by Naomi Richard.

By Colin Hancock

Once again Austin City Limits was thrilled to host a rising star: Andra Day. The jazzy soul singer and songwriter gained a ton of attention for her inspirational, Grammy-nominated single “Rise Up” from her debut Cheers To the Fall, and hasn’t looked back since. The Spokane-born/San Diego-raised vocalist and her five-piece band gave us a magnificent performance of soulful originals and some choice covers, which KLRU streamed live around the world.

Like you, many in attendance during the taping of Austin City Limits were unfamiliar with Day and were hearing her music for the first time that evening. There was no disappointment to be felt as Day bellowed out song after song showcasing her vast musical range. Those who came unfamiliar with her dynamic stage presence left as die hard fans!

It seems that as we move farther into this musical era, popular music is beginning to incorporate a little more than just electronic beats and auto tune. With newly released albums like Kendrick Lamar’s Untitled Unmastered and Beyoncé’s Lemonade, comes an overarching presence of craft. Real instruments and complex arrangements are being incorporated into the mix of jazz, R&B, soul, hip hop and pop that now constitutes a substantial part of nearly every millennial’s playlist. Day symbolizes this 21st century musical trail mix with grace and discipline.

Andra Day performs during taping of KLRU’s Austin City Limits set to air this fall on PBS. Photos by Naomi Richard.

Ms. Day, a San Diego native, was like so many of her contemporaries, an individual who grew up singing in Church, a place where styles develop and mature over time into something beautiful. She can belt, she can croon, but she always has soul that captivates the listener. She has a highly distinctive style both musically and aesthetically, something surprisingly hard to find in today’s music world.

At the 2015 BET Awards[1], she described her philosophy on the musical side of this matter in the statement, "Whichever chord progressions move me, whether it's rock, jazz, doo-wop or soul, I'm going to put it together and not be worried about whether people can put it in a lane or not.” On screen, examples such as her beautiful music video for “Forever Mine” (featured on her most recent album Before the Fall, directed surprisingly by Spike Lee, features both Day’s gorgeous performance, and a beautifully apt color palette that sets the mood just right.

With her Ella Fitzgerald 50s chic style of fashion and grace, Day continues to enthrall audiences nationwide with her singing and presence on and off stage. Her music resonates with audiences across the board, and one can only hope she keeps being innovative and uniquely her.

Don’t miss her incredible Austin City Limits performance when it airs this fall on your local PBS station. Terry Lickona is the Executive Producer.

[1] http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/10-new-artists-you-need-to-know-july-2015-20150713/andra-day-20150710

#Music #Austin City Limits #Andra Day #Terry Lickona #Ella Fitzgerald #Spike Lee #I Will Rise Up #KLRU #PBS #Public Broadcasting #Public Broadcasting System

Watched the interview Dave did with Terry Lickona from ACL, Dave said initially he'd like to go all over the world to record LP 8, and even mentioned Jakarta. Haha are you sure Dave?

#dave grohl #terry lickona