02 May 2017 Girl Talk: Part III
We have one final installment dedicated to highlighting the truly remarkable women of SunFest 2017. (Here you can find the first and second part of this series.) Please give these talented artists your ears and your time.
I won’t tell you how long I sat at my computer, mouth agape, during my first listen to Meresha. You can read her bio, you can read these words, but all of these letters can’t accurately describe the depth of this incredibly young singer and multi-instrumentalist.
If I’m doing my math correctly, Meresha is not yet 21 years old– but she’s been creating music for most of her life. The story goes that the Warsaw, Poland-born singer recorded her track “Fool Don’t Be” in a CD booth inside a mall when she was just 12 years old. At 15, she moved to the United States (Florida!) with her family. Just three years later she shared her EP New Revolution. This indie artist has already appeared on the Top 40 Billboard charts three times. In December, Billboard named Meresha as the sixth emerging artist globally.
These words, while important, still can’t really prepare you for what you’re about to hear.
Meresha has drawn comparisons to Björk, Lorde, and Annie Lennox. Her music is described as running in the same vein as Florence & the Machine and FKA Twigs. At first, I balked, but then I listened.
Meresha’s range, experimentation, and confidence with her art takes my breath away. I am spellbound by her chilling, soulful noise. Are we waging bets? I bet my ears, my most prized possession, that this young woman sets our SunFest stage on fire— and then takes this world by storm. Coachella, Glastonbury, this girl will have them all. Do. Not. Miss. This.
Florida’s own Emily Kopp was also making important noises and strides as a teen. While most of us were nodding off in algebra, Kopp was juggling drums, guitar, and vocals in her high school’s rock band. Her passion for being on-stage is paired with her music industry wits– that she earned working music internships and behind the scenes at venues.
Kopp has been compared to Norah Jones (just stop and sigh at that), Stevie Nicks, Tracy Chapman, and John Mayer. Her hushed, romantic, Sunday-morning sounds feel like little shared secrets or lullabye prayers. Her music is almost tangible– a warm glow in the corner of a room or the ghost of a lover.
You can fall in love with her sounds on Sunday at 1 p.m. Come early, and rub the sleep out of your eyes with me at the JetBlue Stage.
The last female artist I am going to spotlight is 21-year-old singer/songwriter Tinashe. This powerhouse rapper and artist is also a dancer, model, and actress.
Tinashe kicked off her career at 3 years old (who’s feeling really confident with their resume right now?), modeling and acting. She began studying dance (ballet, tap, and jazz) at 4 year old and continued to work with dance companies until she turned 18.
She has also acted in parts you would definitely know– Tinashe starred alongside Tom Hanks in The Polar Express, and had a recurring role in Two and a Half Men as Jake’s beau, Celeste. Tinashe is insanely talented. Whatever this woman puts her mind to, it turns to gold, which most recently has been music.
In 2012, she released two mixtapes, In Case We Die and Reverie. Both drew interest and praise from critics, and soon she signed with RCA Records, where she would release a third mix and her debut studio album, Aquarius. Tinashe was swiftly nominated for a Soul Train Award (2014). In 2015, she toured with Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry and snagged a nomination for “Best New Artist” at the BET Awards.
Just a few weeks ago, Tinashe premiered a brand new single off her upcoming album Joyride. And announced she’ll appear in the new season of Empire.
She’s taking over the world with her talents. You better become a fan right now.