As we continue through Black Music Month, the Recorder takes a look at bands that use live instruments to create real music.
Native Sun
Richard “Sleepy” Floyd, Brandon Meeks and Bobby Young may have met one another randomly, yet their goal is specific: provide quality hip-hop.
Together the men form Native Sun, inspired by the famous Richard Wright novel Native Son.
“I read that and was inspired,” said Meeks. “Bob had the idea to switch the letters out, but his mindset was ‘our talent and diversity shines brighter than others doing this in the city.’”
Floyd said their talent is also luminous due to the fact that they’re not ego driven and are like-minded.
With Floyd on drums, Meeks on bass, and Young as the group’s MC, the trio creates eclectic hip-hop that aims to be fun yet honest. Artists from the golden era of hip-hop are their influences and Meeks and Floyd also draw from their Pentecostal roots creating a spirited and soulful sound. Add Young’s lyrics to the mix and one will witness an incredible live show.
“My lyrics are inspired by life experiences and what I feel people need to hear,” said Young. “But you can’t always give people what they need without giving them what they want so I try to sprinkle in lyrics that just sound good.”
Over time, Native Sun has increased their multifarious fan base that appreciates authentic music, and has begun performing around the Midwest and New York City. This summer, the band plans to continue while putting the finishing touches on their second EP “Undeniable.”
Native Sun’s single “The House” is currently available on Sound Cloud and the band will be performing at The Mousetrap, 5565 Keystone Ave., on July 12.
For more information, visit Nativesunlive.com.
Blue Soul Band
Vincent Howard has always loved good music, particularly R&B and Jazz.
“Back in the day, I loved Earth, Wind and Fire, Herbie Hancock and Aretha Franklin. Their styles were always evolving,” he said. “I like Ledisi and of course Michael Jackson. Prince tops them all.”
So when he came to Indianapolis in the late 80s, it was natural for him to put together a band. He named the group Blue Soul Band.
Blue Soul Band has been performing for eight years. The dynamics of the group have changed over that time, however Howard said the current makeup of the band has been going strong for the past three years.
Howard believes the reason why the band works so well together is due to their musical diversity. Their musical tastes range from pop to jazz to rock.
The band consists of Howard on the keyboard; Byron Hobbs on drums; James Patterson on bass; Randall Gilbert on guitar; and James Briscoe on saxaphone. Lending their voices to the band are singers Lisa Curtis, Temica Key and Nadine Walker.
Go to a Blue Soul Band concert and you’ll get a show packed with well-known R&B and soul music and folks on the dance floor enjoying the tight musicianship and strong vocals of the band’s singers.
“We keep our set list fresh because we want our fans to be happy,” said Howard. Blue Soul Band has garnered a wide following in Indianapolis and has begun gaining fans outside of the Circle City.
Their next goal is to move from being a cover band into performing more original songs with hopes of creating an album and being signed by a major record label.
For more information, visit Bluesoulband.net.
Judah Band
With their fresh look, eclectic sound and steroid-like zest for Christ, Judah Band is bringing a new look to how one worships Christ through song.
Lead singer, Randy Weston was an established secular musician and producer, but wanted to use his gift to glorify Christ. Weston assembled some friends for a project but realized the team had something very solid.
“When you have people who have the same drive, you want to be around those people. When we’re together, that’s a moment from chemistry and love that we built to help other people,” said Weston in a previous interview with the Recorder.
For Judah Band’s nine members, it’s all about high-energy praise. The meaningful lyrics about the Lord are put to gospel, rock, pop and classical music.
Many say Judah Band uses an out-of-the-box method to win sinners to Christ. This stems from the band knowing their purpose.
“There are a lot of people who are not going to come to church to hear a choir. Rockers need Jesus too,” said Weston, who comes from a traditional gospel background. “We have enough choirs for the saved folk but there’s a whole group of people who want to hear it a different way.”
The band practices what they preach. They are devoutly committed to their faith and spread the love of Christ with one mission: to give God Glory, without compromising unique artistic execution.
Through gospel music, Judah Band is dedicated to bringing down walls of depression, heartache, poverty, and all other issues standing in the way of true freedom in Christ. Their message is free and clear to all who have an ear to hear. A mission worthy of fighting for… God’s Glory!
For more information, visit Judahband.com.
