Say She She
| Say She She | |
|---|---|
 Say She She at the Moody Theater on Dec. 3, 2023 Credit: Chad Wadsworth | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Brooklyn, New York |
| Genres | Psychedelic soul |
| Years active | 2019–present |
| Labels | Colemine/Karma Chief Records |
| Members | Piya Malik, Sabrina Mileo Cunningham, Nya Gazelle Brown |
| Website | saysheshe.com |
Say She She is a female-led band based out of Brooklyn, New York. They are led by Piya Malik (formerly of El Michels Affair and Chicano Batman), Sabrina Mileo Cunningham, and Nya Gazelle Brown, all classically trained singers.[1][2]
Their music, self-described as "discodelic soul" with "dreamy harmonies," prominently combines disco and 70s funk, among other influences.[3] The group cites Nile Rodgers and Chic as major influences on their sound.[4]
History
Malik and Cunninghamn originally met as neighbors in the same apartment building. Both professional singers, they could hear each other practicing and eventually struck up a friendship.[5] That relationship transformed at a house party in Harlem when the two were joined by Brown for a spontaneous rooftop singing session.[4]
Shortly after, the trio began writing music together. They were soon collaborating with musicians from Orgōne, The Dap-Kings, The Shacks, and Chicano Batman.[5]
In 2022, their debut album Prism was released on independent label Karma Chief/Colemine Records. The work received a positive review from The Guardian, giving it five out of five stars and calling it a "delightful place to visit for half an hour."[6]
On Feb. 4, 2023, CBS Saturday Morning aired the band's first televised appearance.[7] Later in November, returning to CBS for a follow-up interview with Anthony Mason, they were surprised by a video from their inspiration Nile Rodgers, who told them he was pleased to hear them making music inspired by his group in such "an organic way."[4]
Their sophomore album Silver was released Sept. 29, 2023.[8][9] The album was positively reviewed by public radio station KCRW who ranked it the top album of 2023.[10] WXPN named them the Artist to Watch in October,[11] and KEXP placed it in the top 20 of its year-end album review.[12]
They toured throughout 2023, performing in Europe and America, including the Glastonbury Festival[13] and the Hollywood Bowl.[14]
Discography
- Prism (2022)
- Silver (2023)
References
- ^ Lipsky, Jessica (28 September 2023). "Say She She's Big Year: How The NYC Disco Funk Group Made Sure The World Wouldn't Forget Them". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ^ "Say She She Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic.
- ^ "Say She She: Racket 2023". WFUV.org. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ^ a b c Mason, Anthony (28 November 2023). "Say She She surprised by Chic's Nile Rodgers". CBS News. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Say She She: KCRW Live from Apogee Studio (Oct. 6, 2022)". KCRW.com. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ Petridis, Alexis (19 December 2022). "Say She She: Prism review – boundary-busting discodelic soul". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ "Say She She performs 'Fortune Teller'". CBS Saturday Morning. 4 February 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ^ "Say She She - Silver Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ "New Music Reviews (10/2/2023)". KEXP.org. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ "KCRW best albums of 2023". KCRW.com. 6 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ^ "11 concerts to see this week, including Say She She, Genesis Owusu, Palehound and more". XPN.org. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ "KEXP's Best Albums of 2023". KEXP.org. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ Petridis, Alexis (26 June 2023). "Glastonbury 2023 review". The Guardian (UK). Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ^ "Playlist: 2023 KCRW Festival Highlights". hollywoodbowl.com. Retrieved 12 December 2023.