04 Apr Girl Talk
I’m completely for gender equality, but sometimes women deserve an extra bit of limelight. This year at SunFest we have some truly remarkable women set to perform by the sea. Here’s what you need to know, before you go.
I would bet my right arm that just reading this gorgeous, singer-songwriter’s name will have you humming (and dancing to) “All About That Bass” for the next two point five hours.
There is so much depth this multi-instrumentalist, Massachusetts native. First of all, she wrote her first song at age 7. Trainor was raised on a delicious mix of James Brown and Ray Charles, thanks to her father. She’s a longtime piano player and guitarist, and is also impressive on the ukulele and percussion.
Before she was even 17 year old, the blonde bombshell had released three of her own albums. (Title is still recognized as Trainor’s debut studio album.) This naturally caught the ears and attention of a Nashville music label who signed Trainor before she graduated from high school.
The 22-year-old released Title last year. The album debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 and produced four top 20 singles. It has been certified platinum by the RIAA.
Is your jaw to the floor yet? Halfway? Let me continue.
Trainor has since won the ASCAP Pop Music Award, two Billboard Music Awards, a People’s Choice Award, and a Grammy. And, in addition to creating her own addicting ear worms, Trainor writes gorgeous songs for other artists you love. Are you a fan of Rascal Flatts, Hunter Hayes, or Common Kings? Chances are one of your favorite tracks is penned by this fierce woman.
Her second major release Thank You is set to drop on May 13, 2016, and the album is said to be influenced by Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and Bruno Mars. Do you know what this means? We are going to be some of the first people to hear this new material live!
Yeah, I’m all about the bass, but there is so much more to this brilliant, beautiful woman helping headline our favorite festival. Missing her set is not an option. Shake and sing along on Wednesday, April 27.
Who you kind of know: Evanescence
Yes, you know Amy Lee’s sweeping and spectacular vocals from the American rock band’s 2003 debut Fallen, but that was 13 years ago. (I’m not old, you’re old.) Since that album, with the smash single “Bring Me To Life,” Evanescence has sold nearly 25 million albums. The ethereal powerhouse act’s second studio release, The Open Door, sold more than five million copies alone. This incredible band has won not one, but two, Grammy Awards and earned five additional nominations.
Did you know the dark singer is also a classically trained pianist and composer? The co-founder of Evanescence has contributed to multiple musical works including Walt Disney Records’ Nightmare Revisited– an album dedicated to, and inspired by, the Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack. (Lee sings “Sally’s Song.”) She also has collaborated with rock favorites Korn, Seether, and David Hodges.
She is best known for her earth-shattering work with her band.
Last year, after a hiatus, Evanescence surprised ears everywhere by helping headline Japan’s Ozzfest. Fans went crazy.
“Evanescence is my life’s work,” Lee said, returning to work on the band’s third album. “I’ve been working on it since I was a young teenager. By the time we finished touring ‘The Open Door,’ I just wanted to nest a little bit… and build a life that didn’t revolve around my being in Evanescence.”
Now, the inspiring raven-haired singer and her troupe of talented musicians are back on the road with a new fervor for live show.
“I can’t describe how great it feels to have [our fans’] support. I love so much meeting them before and after the show. If feels like they’re growing with us,” Lee said. “This moment right now between us and the fans, it feels like a celebration, a homecoming, a family reunion. We’re so happy to be back.”
You can catch Lee and Evanescence on Sunday, May 1, on the Tire Kingdom stage.
Who you need to know: Devon Baldwin
Hailing from San Francisco, the bright and mysterious Baldwin is quickly gaining recognition for her gorgeous, dreamy pop music. Often known for being G-Eazy’s muse, Baldwin has her own trail and light to blaze.
Baldwin studied at Loyola University and has earned a degree in music and opera. Insanely talented and reminiscent of Imogen Heap, Baldwin scaled quite the scare after a torn lung threatened her blossoming career.
“One of the first things I asked my doctor was, ‘Am I going to be able to sing again?,” Baldwin told Lib at Large. “The doctor said, ‘I really don’t know.’ In retrospect, that was a terrible answer. Singing has been a part of my life since I was 3. Even then I knew I wanted to be a famous singer, whatever that means in a 3-year-old’s mind. When this happened, I thought, ‘Oh, my god, what if I can’t sing anymore?”
After a successful surgery, and a few months of rest, Baldwin has returned. Her debut EP, Lungs, dropped in November.
I adore this rising singer’s sound. It’s tranquil, poetic, and surprising. Don’t miss her on Saturday, April 30.