FIVE Things To Do Before Black Box Sounds
BAMS Fest, Inc is once again partnering with ArtsEmerson to present Black Box Sounds, a special edition of our #Prelude series. In the past we’ve had some amazing talent come through and rock the house like Latrell James, Nadia Washington, and The American Symphony of Soul. This year we are back and we’ve curated an amazing line up! On Friday, June 9,Black Box Sounds features Houston born multi-instrumentalist Sam Trump, Sidewalk Chalk from Chi-Town, and Boston’s own Marcela Cruz.
At BAMS Fest one of our goals for every event is to entertain and educate or edutain. With that said, we want to make sure that you are properly edutained prior to the arrival of our headliners this Friday, so we’re giving you all some homework.
Here are five things you need to do in preparation for Black Box Sounds. We promise it will be well worth your while to do your homework.
1. Listen to the “Love Notes”
This is the most recent EP of Sam Trump’s catalogue released this February. This five song EP is proof that the art of producing classic soulful R&B ballads is most certainly not lost.
Extra credit: Check out one of his earlier EPs on Spotify, Making Music Like It’s Love. Even the title gives us chills like YAAAASSS!
2. Watch “DIG” by Sidewalk Chalk
To start the visuals in this video are AMAZING! Sidewalk Chalk creates a visual masterpiece by animating three colors: black, white, and red. Also, “Dig” is the first single from their latest album An Orchid is Born which was released on June 2.
Extra credit: Listen to “A Suite for Black Lives,” also on An Orchid is Born.
3. Watch “Brother” by Sam Trump featuring Add-2
This classic head bopping hip hop beat gives us social justice commentary and positive messages and imagery of Black men. In today’s mainstream media we don’t tend to see that as much. This song definitely put Sam Trump and Add-2 on the BAMS Fest watch list. And everyone in the BAMS Collective said, “We have to get them to Boston!”
Extra credit: Listen to Kool Aid by Add-2 featuring Rapsody and Sam Trump
4. Watch “Vibration” by Sidewalk Chalk (Shoulder Season)
This video showcases the amazing talents of the members of Sidewalk Chalk, and really prepares you for the awesomeness that awaits you at Black Box Sounds! The video currently has 9100 views, BAMS Fest has surely contributed to at least 1000 of those views because we just can’t stop watching it!
5. Listen to “Sam Trump Plays the Uke”
In case you didn’t know, Sam Trump is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist. How amazing is that!? While his stage name focuses on his skills as a trumpet player, this 20 minute acoustic EP showcases his vocal talent as well as his ukulele skills. The whole thing is DOPE.COM, but “Paradise” our favorite song. Check it out!
Extra credit: Check out his Trumpet playlist on SoundCloud. It’s Literally just 44 minutes of his various live trumpet solos and it’s amazing.
Last but not least…
We know it’s more than five things, but go and read our exclusive with Marcela Cruz.
Extra credit: Visit Marcela’s website and listen to her latest album Here We Go Again. BAMS Fest faves are “Change of Heart” and “No Take Backs.”
We’re excited to see all of you at Black Box Sounds on June 9 at Paramount Theater with your completed homework assignments.
Grab your tickets today at artsemerson.org or bamsfest.org. They are $12 in advance, $15 at the door, and $60 for a table of 4.See you there!
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