While Kandace Springs is a relatively new name in the music world, she’s been busy making a name for herself, previewing a string of tracks off her forthcoming self-titled EP due September 30th (Blue Note Records). Admittedly it was her latest track, the funky and fresh “Love Got In The Way” that caught my attention after the video premiered over on Afropunk last week. When I played the video, I had it minimized so I didn’t even see what was going on but the song made a connection. The chorus has this infectious, carefree vibe with a light-on-its feet, funky beat that you can’t help but groove along with. When the chorus first hit I was instantly reminded of Angie Stone‘s “I Wanna Thank Ya,” with maybe a hint of Kelis. Soulful vocals plus a little something something. Following the release of her EP, Kandace will make her national television debut, performing on the “Late Show with David Letterman” Friday, October 3. Check out the video for “Love Got In The Way” below.
The 23 year-old Nashville born singer/songwriter first captured the attention of SRP Music Group‘s Evan Rogers and Carl Sturken at the age of 17 when they heard an early demo she had recorded. Moving to New York City several years later, Springs got to work, writing new songs with Rogers and Sturken (Shakira, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson); the duo famously known for discovering a teenage Rihanna. Kandace was signed on the spot after performing her rendition of Bonnie Raitt‘s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” for Blue Note label president (and producer of Raitt’s original version) Don Was. Pretty gutsy, but given the sheer confidence Springs exudes in her new video, that gutsiness shouldn’t come as a surprise to anybody. Essence tapped Kandace Springs as their “New & Next” artist while The Wall Street Journal hailed her as a “suave songstress” and Entertainment Weekly praised “West Coast” (not to be confused with Lana Del Rey‘s song of the same name) as “buoyant neo soul that combines a rollicking horn arrangement and a bumping rap beat.” She even found a fan in Prince, who upon seeing one of her YouTube videos, invited her to perform at his legendary Paisley Park Studio in Minneapolis. MAJOR!
Musically, Springs’ sound draws on R&B, hip-hop, jazz, pop and Latin music – elements from all of which can be heard on the new EP. She co-wrote all of the tracks on her debut EP, with a little help from Rogers and Sturken (who also serve as producers, alongside Eli Wolf) on lead single, “Love Got In The Way,” and “Forbidden Fruit.” The remaining two tracks were produced by Pop & Oak, the Philadelphia/Los Angeles-based duo behind hits for Nicki Minaj, Drake and Alicia Keys.
While the EP isn’t out until September 30th, you can pre-order the four-track set on iTunes now and see the tracklisting as well as preview the songs below.
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Leading up to release day, Kandace Springs will be playing a number of intimate East Coast shows, including one at Rockwood Music Hall in New York City on Tuesday, September 16th as well as at Manderley Bar at the McKittrick Hotel in NYC on September 18th. On September 30th, she’ll be playing an exclusive EP release show at The Box in New York City. Later this Fall you can catch Kandace opening for Chance The Rapper on two of his East Coast dates. Big stuff coming for this lady. Be on the look out for Kandace Springs!
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Checkout Kandace Springs online:
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