The intimate Sunday night musician series returns for its fourth year with Nakia kicking off the fall season on Sunday, Sept. 11.
(AUSTIN, TEXAS – August 26, 2016) – Austin’s own Soul of a Musician Series is excited to announce a stellar fall lineup kicking off on Sunday, Sept. 11 featuring a live performance by beloved blues and soul artist Nakia. The Soul of a Musician Series brings the community together to support the spiritual and emotional well-being of a featured musician and gain insight into their creative process and growth. Taking place at the Agave Room at Iron Cactus North Restaurant located at 10001 Stonelake Blvd., Austin, Texas 78759, the series is free and open to the public and perfect for an intimate date night, a relaxed family outing or just a fun place to meet new people and get inspired.
Music starts at 6:30 p.m., but attendees are encouraged to arrive earlier for best seating or to enjoy a delicious dinner and drinks. This season, the series will feature performances from some of the city’s local favorites and some new, up-and-coming artists that are fresh to the scene.
The first half of the fall lineup is as follows:
Sept. 11 – Nakia
Sept.18 – Warren and Marshall Hood
Sept. 25 – WhoDo
Oct. 2 – John Evans Band
Oct. 9 – Guy Forsyth’s Hot Nut Riveters
Oct. 16 – Cotton Mather
Oct. 23 – Jeremy Nail
Oct. 30 – Jane Ellen Bryant
*Second half of fall lineup to be announced
“I’ve heard so many wonderful things about the Soul of a Musician Series from my fellow Austin musicians who have played there, so I was very excited to be asked to perform the kickoff to the fall season,” said Nakia. “I’m looking forward to sharing some of the stories behind the songs I love to write and sing.”
Now in its fourth year, the goal of the Soul Series is to bring Austin’s musicians and music lovers together through an intimate, non-denominational musical encounter that leads to deeper emotional connection between the artists, their music and the community that supports them.
“In February of 2013, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church launched The Soul of a Musician Series as a means of engaging musicians in Austin with a different kind of show. We wanted to have a conversation with the musicians, and to offer them a house of receptive and attentive listeners. As for the church, we want to be out in the public meeting people!” said the Series Founder Rev. Merrill Wade. “Now, four years and 118 Sunday night shows later, the series has found a niche in the Austin music scene. What began as a small-scale concert idea has matured into a dependably excellent Sunday night show in the perennially underserved Northwest Austin music scene.”
As the centerpiece of the 75 minute set, the musician performs two original songs they have handpicked, and the Rev. Wade leads a discussion with the artist and those gathered about the spirituality and inspiration behind the songs. “This discussion time opens up dialogue for the artist to reveal the inspiration behind their music, what it means to them, and sometimes even to reckon with any suffering or negativity in their lives,” said Rev. Wade. “It provides a deep connection between the artist and those gathered; something they don’t often experience playing a gig at any other venue in town. This is an opportunity for the musician to express their needs and for the audience to provide care and support for their local talent. It is a soulful evening and is also a lot of fun for everyone.”
As described by Austin musician Guy Forsyth, each Soul of a Musician Series performance is “…not just a show. You will hear a lot of music, but we also have a conversation about the music, why and how the songs are written. If music is a spiritual tool for you, no matter what your beliefs, the Soul of a Musician Series may be a place for you to explore.” Guy Forsyth’s Hot Nut Riveters Band is on the bill for this fall along with a dynamic lineup of Austin artists. For more about the fall lineup or the Series, please see: http://www.stmattsaustin.org/Music/4soul-ofa- musician-series.html or https://www.facebook.com/SoulOfAMusicianSeries.
About Nakia:
Austin-based, Alabama-raised singer/songwriter Nakia has a heart that beats to the rhythms of Muscle Shoals soul, pumping blood infused with Stax funk to cells lined with Chicago blues grooves. His vocal talent is the kind that instantly turns listeners into fans — among them CeeLo Green, who invited Nakia to sing on his Muppets Christmas special. Nakia was a Top 8 semifinalist on CeeLo’s team during the first season of “The Voice” on NBC. Nakia moved from Chicago to Austin in 2002. After a brief stint in the Small Stars, a tongue-in-cheek lounge act fronted by Fastball’s Miles Zuniga, he formed Nakia & His Southern Cousins, got booked to perform at the 2008 Austin City Limits Festival, and wound up singing with Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings. Alejandro Escovedo heard him at a Rolling Stones tribute, which led to him singing backing vocals on Escovedo’s “Street Songs of Love” album, and to a second recommendation this time by producer Tony Visconti — for Nakia to front his own blues band. So he formed the Blues Grifters. A YouTube video of the band led to “The Voice” producer Mark Burnett recruiting him for the pilot, which resulted in his relationship with CeeLo.
Nakia is a active member of the Austin music community. He is an outspoken advocate for organizations such as Black Fret, HAAM, and The SIMS Foundation. He has served as the Chair of the Austin Music Commission and as a member of the Board of Governors for the Texas Chapter of the Recording Academy. Nakia is a two-time Black Fret nominee. Nakia is set to appear on the upcoming ALL ATX album, “Low Down Violet Crown: Austin Rocks the Blues.” Nakia will also perform at the 2016 Austin City Limits Music Festival with the Barton Hills Choir. For more info, see www.nakia.net.
MEDIA NOTE:
To RSVP for any of the events featured above, or general press inquiries about Soul of a Musician Series, please contact the team at Juice Consulting:
Heather Wagner Reed
713 208 3891
heather@juiceconsulting.com
Madison Snelling
210 213 8934
madison@juiceconsulting.net