Yola had a jam-packed week at SXSW, performing at showcases, radio sessions, and parties across Austin, including The Current Day Party, the 30-minute set from which you can watch here, and Andrew Bird's Live From the Great Room, their duet of "I Forgot to Be Your Lover" from which you can watch here as well. Yola's debut album, Walk Through Fire, is No. 1 on the UK Americana Album chart and is WFUV's New Dig. "Every so often, a musician emerges that really stops the world in its tracks. Yola," WFUV exclaims, "is one of those special talents."
Yola had a jam-packed week at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin last week, performing songs from her Dan Auerbach-produced debut album, Walk Through Fire, at showcases, radio sessions, and parties across the city, and nearby at Willie Nelson's Luck Reunion. One such performance was for The Current Day Party, the full thirty-minute set from which you can watch below.
Another highlight of the week came when Yola stopped by The Line Hotel to join Andrew Bird in performing the William Bell song "I Forgot to Be Your Lover" for Bird's Live From the Great Room series. "Doing this with Yola was a dream come true," says Bird; "her instrument is pretty staggering, and on full display here. She’s truly incredible." Variety concurred, including it among The Best Music We Saw at the 2019 Festival" and saying the two artists "served each other as near-perfect complements. Beautiful." You can watch that performance below as well.
Adding to the plaudits was actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who tweeted yesterday: "I am besotted and bowled over by you! Thanks for much need new musical ideas! Bravo et encore! People buy her album and become transformed!"
Said album has just hit No. 1 on the UK Americana Album chart and is now New York public radio station WFUV's New Dig (aka Album of the Week).
"Every so often, a musician emerges that really stops the world in its tracks. Yola," says WFUV's Darren DeVivo, "is one of those special talents. Her striking debut album, Walk Through Fire, effortlessly weaves soul, country and pop—touches of folk and blues—into a breezy, mellifluous mix. There are fleeting reminders of the Staple Singers, Dusty Springfield, the Band, and early Elton John that drift by, but what is most prominent is [her] vulnerability, confidence, and the versatility of her commanding voice ... Yola is definitely an artist destined for great things." Tune in to WFUV, 90.7 FM, to hear a live session with Yola tonight and to hear songs from the album all week.
To pick up a copy of Walk Through Fire, head to your local record store, iTunes, Amazon, the Easy Eye Sound Store, or the Nonesuch Store, where CD and vinyl orders include a download of the complete album at checkout. You can also hear the album now on Spotify and Apple Music.
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