We have two music mavens concurrently curating some of the best concerts money can't buy (they're $Free.99). DJ Valida of LA's KCRW brings the city's finest up-and-coming acts to The Standard, Hollywood for Desert Nights, our weekly Wednesday night concert series in our dreamy Cactus Lounge. In NY, our pal Annie O—who has represented such greats as Lou Reed, Philip Glass, Pearl Jam, and more—brings her favorite rising acts to our East Village Penthouse stage for The Annie O Music Series. Lucky for us, they're coming together in NYC for one night only, bringing LA rising stars vōx and Pearl Charles (favorites of both Annie and Valida) to The Standard, East Village on October 2nd. See Annie O's interview with vōx, the experimental songstress, below and get ready for the big night.
Annie O x Desert Nights Present: vōx and Pearl Charles
Monday, October 2, 7-9PM
The Standard, East Village Penthouse
Free with an RSVP to AnnieO@StandardHotels.com
ANNIE O: Where are you based these days?
VŌX: I'm in Los Angeles, but I'll be traveling and creating a bunch over the next year. I have plans to go to Tokyo and London.
What topics do you delve into on your new EP (coming out May 2018) titled I Was Born?
My anxiety, my self-doubt, the ways I’ve changed, and how I’ve found courage.
Tell us about your Kendrick Lamar cover and how it came about.
I knew as soon as I heard "i" that I wanted to cover it. The lyrics are so beautiful and powerful. I wanted to slow it down so people could really appreciate what Kendrick was saying. I had worked with Dylan Brady (who produced "i") before, and I knew he would be the perfect fit to bring my adaptation to life. He was still living in St. Louis at the time, so we worked on the song entirely via email.
Are you working on a new album at the moment?
Yes!
What are some of your inspirations?
Isolation, space, and strong emotions.
Any tracks by other artists you have on repeat at the moment?
SZA and Kendrick's "Doves In The Wind," Moses Sumney's "Quarrel,"Dua Lipa's "New Rules," XXX's "Flight Attendant," and Louis Mattrs' "Superman."
What can we expect from your show at The Annie O x Desert Nights show on Oct. 2nd?
Something unexpected, all of my feelings, lots of sheer white, and my naked voice.
Any tour plans?
At the moment I'm spending all of my time writing new material. I'd love to tour next year.
Why do you pursue music?
I want to share the strength I’ve found through expression. When I was a teenager, music was honestly the only healing thing for me. I was deeply depressed, even to the point of thinking about suicide, but the music I was listening to gave me hope. So if I can give even one person hope through my art, then I’ve really truly succeeded.
