KINDRED CONNECTIONS: Dessa Returns To The Valley For One-Night Show
lyricist and alternative hip hop musician will showcase her latest release, 'Tough Call, Camelot' live at The Plus on April 18
An informal intimacy often found in a standing-room show – shoulder-to-shoulder with peers and strangers – fosters a powerful spirit of connection, especially now, for alternative hip-hop artist Dessa.
The acclaimed Minneapolis-based vocalist and lyricist believes these individual traits of a venue influence not only the performer’s storytelling but also the relationships among audience members.
Dessa will return to the Chippewa Valley for a one-night performance on April 18 at The Plus (208 South Barstow St., Eau Claire). The show will feature an opening act by local emerging neo-soul and alternative indie performer, Yomchi.
A progression of Dessa’s nationwide tour to share their latest studio release, Tough Call, Camelot, the musician captures her surrounding sentiments through song – especially feelings that are unnamed or lack a proper home.
“Art making is about craft and capture,” Dessa shared with Volume One. “I think very often (music) helps us experience (feelings) together, which can be kind of collective relief.”
"I think getting together under good auspices to share fun, to dance, to sing together – that is important."
DESSA
LYRICIST & ALTERNATIVE HIP HOP ARTIST
“Being able to hold – at arms length – a complicated feeling is part of the artistic goal for me,” she continued.
The bass-driven and melodic storytelling brought to life in her new record and title track, “Tough Call,” is one of the first where Dessa has served as not only the singer-songwriter, but as an acting producer.
A South African-influenced guitar instrumentation featured on the “Tough Call” was played by Sakhe Mamputa – of the ensemble 29:11 – and recorded in Cape Town, South Africa, by Dessa herself.
While Dessa and 29:11 were not able to tour together – a result of denied travel visas and other international complications – too represents some of the core themes of her tour: the hardships and disappointments defining our present-day political and historical landscapes.
“I think one of the things that has been a defining characteristic of my shows is like a breath of emotional content,” Dessa said. “There are definitely some somber moments in the concert, but there is a lot of celebration.
“I think getting together under good auspices to share fun, to dance, to sing together – that is important too,” she continued.
Tough Call, Camelot in live performance is accompanied by an enthusiastic bunch of talented musicians, she said. For this tour and in Eau Claire, she will be joined on stage by Joshua Williams on keys and saxophone, with Aviva Jaye on harp.
Both Williams and Jaye have already been known to add their own improvisation and even new instruments into the mix – a surefire treat for local fans of Dessa.
“I think that you can tell when something is fresh and there is a genuine enthusiasm in the performers who are working netless in real time; I think that kind of energy is evident and contagious,” Dessa said.
Eau Clairians can expect new songs, fresh arrangements and familiar favorites from Dessa’s discography, along with tender stories which hope to invite attendees to “get into your feelings with people eager for a little communion in tough, trying times.”
Purchase tickets to Dessa, live on April 18 at The Plus (208 South Barstow St., Eau Claire) online through volumeonetickets.org ($25/person advance; $30/person at the door). Visit Dessa’s webpage online – dessawander.com – to view their complete discography and listen to Tough Call, Camelot.
