1 March, 2024Print
Brittany Davis Delivers A “Potent Expression Of Hope” (NPR Music) On 26-Track, Genre-Blurring And Autobiographical Debut Image Issues
Listen To “Never,” Davis’ Vibrant, Unflinching Ode To Self-Confidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDeHbS6yQEI
Listen To The Full Collection Here: https://orcd.co/imageissues
March 1, 2024: Brittany Davis has shared their debut album Image Issues today via Loosegroove Records, a deeply profound 26-song ‘sonic film’ and “epic musical journey” (Consequence) that chronicles all they’ve experienced, while celebrating how much they’ve overcome as a “potent expression of hope”(NPR). A "wildly talented genre-weaving kaleidoscope," that "establishes Davis as one of their home city’s most interesting artists” (Seattle Times), Davis’ debut forges a sound that's as singular as their one-of-a-kind life - using spoken-word tracks (coined ‘Treadmill Memories’) and auditory collages to weave together Davis’ story - from discrimination as a Black, non-binary, blind musician, to traumatic experiences on childhood abuse, gun violence and the prison system. Davis notes, “as a blind person I've never had an actual visual experience, sound is the way I've always seen the world.” It is through this lens that Davis conjures singular hip-hop grooves, gospel piano riffs, house beats, jazz chords, self-made samples, and everything in between, all of the tracks “nothing short of dazzling” (SPIN).
Listen to Image Issues here: https://orcd.co/imageissues
Davis has previewed the record with advance tracks and videos: the “supremely funky” (SPIN) “Sepricon,” with accompanying video from Tony-nominated choreographer Donald Byrd (The Color Purple, The Minstrel Show), “Fallout,” in which Davis mines through the nuances and complications of lost romance, and “Soft As The Sand,” a vibrant ode to queer love. Recorded over several years, Image Issues comes with the support and mentorship of Pearl Jam guitarist/founder Stone Gossard (who is releasing the collection on his own indie label, Loosegroove), but it is truly Davis' singular vision at play. Davis plays every instrument, sings every vocal part and is the sole writer on every track. As their co-producer Josh Evans (Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Brandi Carlile) notes: "Image Issues is like a Prince record or a Stevie Wonder record. It almost feels a little subversive to make music like this…it’s sneaking a real art project into a pop record.”
Emerging as a true artist to watch with 2022’s ‘I Choose To Live’ EP, Davis was quickly championed by tastemakers from SXSW to NPR Music, who invited them to perform at the hallowed Tiny Desk (“it felt like a true live concert,” said Bob Boilen of the riveting four-song debut). Davis will celebrate the release with three back-to-back events: a release party at Easy Street Records and intimate evening at the Rabbit Box Theatre on March 1, and the Loosegroove Revenue at the 2,800-capacity The Paramount Theatre on March 2 featuring Painted Shield & The Brittany Davis Band with sets from Mason Jennings, Jonny Polonsky, and Zoser. See below for all upcoming tour dates and festival appearances, with more to be announced soon.
Brittany Davis Tour Dates
March 1st - Rabbit Box - Seattle, WA
March 1st - Easy Street Records - Seattle, WA
March 2nd - The Paramount Theatre - Loosegroove Records Show w. Brittany Davis & Painted Shield - Seattle, WA
March 14 - SXSW - KUTX Morning Broadcast, Scholz Garten - Austin, TX (8AM)
March 14 - SXSW - ACL Radio Morning Broadcast, Hotel Van Zandt - Austin, TX (10:30AM)
March 14 - SXSW - KTSN Sun Radio Session, Hi Sign Brewing - Austin, TX (6PM)
March 15 - SXSW Showcase - NPR Day Stage, Convention Center - Austin, TX (2PM)
May 7-10 - NON-COMMvention - Philadelphia, PA
May 24-26 - BottleRock - Napa, CA
Brittany Davis - Image Issues tracklist:
SIDE A
Treadmill Memories I
Image Intro
Sho Nuff
Lashes
Treadmill Memories II
Through the Motions
Coming
Treadmill Memories III
Daddy's Gerl
Treadmill Memories IV
I'm Sick
SIDE B
Follow My Lead
Kari's Face
Halfway
So Fly
Fallout
Treadmill Memories V
Goons
Never
SIDE C
Sepricon
Image Issues
Treadmill Memories VI
Wanted You to Know
Treadmill Memories VII
Trading Secrets
Soft As the Sand
SIDE D
Amid the Blackout of the Night
|