By Skylar Paxton
Image by Erica Hernandez taken from Ones to Watch
When one searches for rhythm and blues music to serenade not only their ears but their souls, the all-time favorites and classic singers of this genre come to mind such as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Etta James and plenty more. One upcoming independent artist, however, is creating soul-taking blues and rhythm music in a fantastical way and her name is Eryn Allen Kane.
Kane is a Detroit-born songstress who has self-made her career to where it is now. Her fan and helper was the famous Prince who found her through her first single called “Hollow” and for good reason. The song is entirely composed with her voice but still carries an enticing jazzy rhythm. She appropriates lyrics from Nina Simone to tell a love story about unrequited love through her riffs and enchanting vocals.
However, it was not until her release of “Have Mercy”, another vocally-composed song, did she finally collaborate with Prince to work on his song “Baltimore” – a protest song in response to the death of Freddie Gray who died in police custody. She performed alongside him at a peace rally and her career in music suddenly became full time and a life-long dream.
Afterwards, Kane released her EP Aviary: Act I and Aviary: Act II a year later. The production for writing all the songs began with just her voice. She asked her musical friends to add instruments to her music based on the vocals she had for them. This unique process allows her voice to fit so comfortably and perfectly into the instruments of her songs.
For example, in “Bass Song”, Kane’s low and subtle riffs in the beginning couples beautifully with the deep bass notes that slowly build into the explosion of funky and smooth sounds – both from Kane’s enticing voice and the soulful instruments that plays.
Songs of activism are among Kane’s most powerfully moving songs. “How Many Times” from Aviary: Act II will send chills down anyone’s spine who listens to both what Kane is saying and the deep rhythm of the song. My favorite part is when she raspfully sings, “I’m telling me now, I want to see the light hit my wings, oh / Unbreakable, harder, these eyes have seen everything”. The pain in her voice grows so deeply alongside the smashing deep notes of the piano. The song continues to rise and Kane just shouts gospel-like chants that just beg for answers to her and her people’s suffering.
Her newest EP called A Tree Planted by Water does even more for her community than ever before. The work was dedicated to Black women and with a purpose to create art and music that heals. The EP comes with powerful poems by Aja Monet and truly expresses the resilience and strength of Black women in such a rhythmically powerful way. “Fragile”, for example, calls for Kane’s sisters to accept their fragility after building such strong walls around themselves for no one to get around. It’s a jazzy blues song that still advocates and uplifts Black women but does it in such a spiritual way.
The magic and power of Eryn Allen Kane continues to amaze new listeners who discover and become new fans of her artistry. If anyone wants – or perhaps needs – music that touches the soul and heals the depths of your mind, Kane’s voice and her rhythmic blues music does just that and more.
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