Why I Wrote "Golden"
It seems like only yesterday but it was 2011 when Nikky Finney was accepting her National Book Award for her book “Head Off & Slit”. In her speech she said something that got to my core. She said, “One of the things I always thought about when I was very, very young and dreaming of being a poet was, 'Is it possible to write something absolutely beautiful about something absolutely heartbreaking or absolutely difficult or painful?'"
In that regard, This song feels to me one of my many attempts to say the difficult things beautifully. I began writing the tune a few weeks back before George Floyd’s life was taken. So the wind was about, so to speak. Amid this Uprising with smoke looming in the air over this whole city miles away my sweet and talented nephew was on his way home in Harlem and was beat up by the police.
My breaking point, my boiling over.
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I'm Playing with Grammy-Award Winning Minnesota Orchestra!
I am so thrilled and beyond honored to be premiering some of my new work at Orchestra Hall! While I have had this time off from the road I have been writing like a wild woman and practicing a self care routine. Because I’m no longer tending to my pain the way I used to...it has freed up my writing to reflect more of life’s experiences. It’s like the width and breadth has expanded. I had know idea that caring for myself more deeply would have this effect. And now, instead of being afraid of change I’m just leaning into my curiosities. F’ing so cool.
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Happy New Year! January Shows
Happy New Year! 2019 is off to a great start with some amazing shows coming up this month.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
Monday, January 21st | Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center - Minneapolis, MN
TICKETS: https://bit.ly/1Q2Jgn2
Who Knew… Presents What It Means - A Panel Discussion
Wednesday, January 23rd | City Winery - Nashville, TN
TICKETS: https://citywinery.com/nashville/whoknew012319.html
Rock What You Got! Presented by Twin Cities Women’s Expo
Friday, January 25th | Earle Brown Heritage Center - Minneapolis, MN
TICKETS: https://bit.ly/2D31h49
If you haven’t already heard, check out my new single “Mad Love” here! https://lnk.to/madlove1WE
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New Single "Mad Love" Out Now
It was a chance encounter with a white supremacist that was the impetus for Chastity Brown's new single, "Mad Love." The bi-racial artist was confronted outside a club in Eau Claire, WI having a quick smoke before taking the stage where she was accosted, cussed out and verbally attacked by a person who'd read her interview in the local paper. Her guitarist came out and to find Brown standing up for herself and holding her own. Shaking with adrenaline, fear and anger, Brown went and did the show and shared the story with the audience. She realized the best possible response to racism and hate is love -- including radical self love where, no matter how others choose to see you, you accept yourself.
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Interviews w/ Out Magazine & The Bluegrass Situation
"At that time of writing the album, I had already devoured every novel of James Baldwin's, and moved into his essays. What I love about James Baldwin is that he's so plain spoken, and so profound. He had such grace, and was so gay, and was so academic. He was so himself. He just seemed to embody who the fuck he was. He's influenced my work so much, that type of honesty and vulnerability. Something about that is really brave to me, and something about that is really sexy." Read Chastity's interview with Out Magazine!
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NPR First Listen!
"'Silhouette of Sirens' is a work of brooding soul by a voice we need right now."
Chastity's album Silhouette of Sirens is now streaming on NPR Music's First Listen! The glowing review that accompanies the stream sums up this powerful album from one of the top emerging voices in music. Officially available on Red House on May 19th, the 10 songs on the album blend folk, pop and country and treads the line between the personal and the political. Featuring songs like the chart-topping "Wake Up" and "Drive Slow" about taking the time to enjoy the moment, Silhouette of Sirens is a landmark debut.
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American Songwriter Premieres "Drive Slow!"
"Chastity Brown’s forthcoming Silhouette of Sirens is one of the most anticipated roots albums of the first half of 2017. It’s a collection that showcases Brown’s dexterous musicianship, thoughtful songwriting and careful attention to detail, all of which have earned her praise from outlets like NPR and CMT on past releases.
Those qualities are on full display on “Drive Slow,” a sweeping new track from Silhouette of Sirens that considers what it means to slow down and appreciate the moment."
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Live in The Current Studio!
Chastity recently visited Oake & Riley in The Morning in The Current studio to chat about Silhouette of Sirens and perform some songs live off the record. You'll hear some of Chastity's insights into making the record as well as a sneak peak into her album release celebration on Friday, June 2nd at The Fitzgerald Theater in downtown St. Paul!
Click here to listen to the entire session.
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Chastity Announces New Album "Silhouette of Sirens"
I'm proud to announce that my debut Red House Records album, Silhouette of Sirens, comes out on May 19th and will be available on CD, vinyl and all digital formats. The album features the first single "Wake Up" that you can download now when you pre-order the album on iTunes or Amazon!
We'll be celebrating the release of Silhouette of Sirens on Friday, June 2nd at The Fitzgerald Theatre! Click here for more info.
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Interview With The Bluegrass Situation
I’ve never been so specific on stage about current events than I have as of late, on these last few tours. I think it’s this realization that my personal life is political and that I have the fortune to be elevated and amplified night after night; I’m the loudest thing in the room. And what am I gonna do with that type of power?
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Chastity Signs With RED HOUSE RECORDS!
Red House is proud to announce that CHASTITY BROWN has joined their roster. With an early 2017 album release in the works, Chastity is joining Ani DiFranco for fall dates through October; she'll both be opening these shows and also joining DiFranco on stage. Chastity will also perform at the DiFranco's inaugural “BabeFest,” a festival of music, comedy and social activism taking place August 26 at Babeville in Buffalo, New York.
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Ani Difranco Tour
Chastity and her guitarist, Luke Enyeart, are back with the amazing folksinger and her rhythm section for a summer tour. Check out the TOUR section for more info. See you down the road!
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Watch Chastity honor Prince outside First Avenue
Thursday night's street party and all-night dance party at First Avenue won't be soon forgotten, either by those who could attend or those who followed the story online. A crowd thousands-strong flooded First Avenue and Seventh Street, both celebrating and mourning Prince Rogers Nelson: his life, his spirit, and his music.
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"Colorado" included in NPR's "Heavy Rotation"!
"Born in Tennessee, currently living in Minneapolis, and bringing listeners on a journey to "Colorado," Chastity Brown approaches music with a troubadour's spirit, never content to rest in one place or on one style for too long..."
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