I would consider myself a rather active concert goer meaning I’ve enjoyed live music in all sorts of venues from super exclusive underground spots to higher-end theater halls and everything in between but it bothered me that I never frequented Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater.
Located in backyard of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, it is a pretty significant milestone for rising talent in the greater New York City area to cross. With that said, I wanted my first visit to the venue to be special. Holding out for that special gem of an artist was hard but on Friday, August 5th, singer, poet and educator, Amy León made the wait all worth it!
After sampling her blues/jazz/soul sound fusion as a featured act during fellow poet Jasmine Mans’ A Community Conversation event at The Nuyorican Poets Cafe on Sunday, July 10th I was hooked! Nearly a month later I found myself first row at Impossible to Love. With little to no background on the biracial triple threat I didn’t know what to expect but I knew it would be magical.
Prior to taking the stage, an eye catching visual presentation filled the stage’s projector screen. The presentation which lasted the duration of the concert featured a series of animations of the singer, intimate family photographs including one of the poet’s late mother and the official video for breakthrough single, “Burning in Birmingham”, directed by Tyler Rabinowitz.
Throughout the evening the visuals served as a powerful aid to the vocalist’s lyrics creating a fully interactive performance.
The series of animations designed by Sam Schanwald, showcased the various sides of the singer. While the opening animation depicted the more commonly seen bold persona others touched on León’s more vulnerable side. Differing from the animations, the purpose of the family photos were to create a parallel between what is reality and what is fiction.
Yes, a picture is worth a thousand words but when you see the glowing face of young Amy there was a much harsher truth hidden behind her smile.
After sharing heartbreaking stories about multiple cases of sexual abuse, health complications and the crushing feeling of abandonment Leon assured the sold out crowd that these life challenges have molded her and her music into what it is today.
The ability to write from a place of pain with an eye of optimism is what makes her so unique. Amy León’s willingness to expose her hardships is brave but to do so with the amount of confidence that she does makes her music so refreshing.
Closing the show with her breakout piece, “Burning Birmingham”, she revealed the roots of the profound piece.
“I was invited to a perform at a conference where Sybrina Fulton the mother of (the late) Trayvon Martin was speaking. I was hesitant. I thought let her tragedy be the message. But they insisted. So I wrote Burning in Birmingham. But what makes me sad is this piece will still be relevant another 50 years from now!”
Followed with a standing ovation, it’s safe to say Amy León has secured her star status. I’ll be looking for big things from her!
Amy León is currently working her debut album scheduled to be released by winter 2016.
Keep up with Amy on social media including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or visit her official website www.amyleon.com.
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I went to the same performance. Also my first time at Joe’s. Yes! She was incredible!
Omg! I wish I saw you we could have taken a photo!!