Space Craft presents Scarlet Parke and Naomi Wachira
Published 12:14 pm Saturday, January 9, 2016
Naomi Wachira, named Best Folk Singer by Seattle Weekly in 2013, will perform at Rolling Bay Hall at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9.
Wachira, the daughter of a pastor, joined the traveling family band at 5, spreading the word through gospel songs in Kenya.
Since then, with her African-inspired rhythms and simple lyrics, she has sought to make a positive mark in the world through song. She cites her main influences as Miriam Makeba and Tracy Chapman.
When Wachira was named the Best Folk Singer in Seattle by Seattle Weekly, and featured on the cover, she became the toast of the town. This led to a friendship with the much-loved indie songwriter Damien Jurado, who came onboard to produce her album “Naomi Wachira.”
Other key collaborators included renowned Seattle bassist Evan Flory-Barnes, cellist Natalie Hall (Macklemore), drummer Darren Reynolds (Patrick & The Locomotive) and Latin percussionist Lalo Bello, who all brought their own ideas to the accompaniment, guided by Jurado’s desire to keep the music as vibrantly alive as possible. The result is Wachira’s debut full-length, a portrait of a Kenyan artist at home in the Pacific Northwest.
Headlining the Space Craft doubleheader concert is Scarlet Parke, a Seattle singer/songwriter known for her blend of soul and blues stylings. Her style is most often compared to that of Amy Winehouse, Adele and Lana Del Rey.
Rolling Bay Hall is located at 10598 NE Valley Road. Tickets, $10 in advance and $12 at the door, are on sale through www.spacecraftpresents.org.
Spacecraft is a nonprofit performance group dedicated to seeking unique and noteworthy musicians and entertainers and bringing them to Bainbridge Island.
