Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Midday Show with Cheryl Waters, is “Little Light” by The Eagle Rock Gospel Singers from the 2015 album Heavenly Fire on Ba Da Bing Records.
The Eagle Rock Gospel Singers - Little Light (MP3)
What do you get when you form a band out of weekly household jam parties with your friends? Well, given the talent level of your peer group, the results could vary drastically. For The Eagle Rock Gospel Singers, clearly a bunch with proven ability, the outcome’s been magical. It also can't hurt that the LA based musicians started with the classics, taking inspiration from gospel greats such as Washington Phillips and Mahalia Jackson en route to forming their own take on the genre—a version rooted in tradition but still brimming with new ideas. Take our current Song of the Day, “Little Light”, for example. The casual verse interplay between an insistent bass groove and playful piano that explodes into a raucous chorus is soul music songwriting to the core. However, the verve and vitality behind every exultant choral refrain are the marks of a band with no interest in shirking their own identity in favor of genre anonymity. There’s a confidence within the group’s sound that draws from the exact celebratory energy that a good jam session with friends can bring. Call it a congregation, call it divine inspiration, call it whatever you want. “Little Light” is good music, and no definition can change that.
The Eagle Rock Gospel Singers were in Seattle just two months ago, so they don’t have any Northwest tour dates coming up, but you can look for future dates and for more music from the band on their website and Facebook page. Right now, check out a live version of "Little Light" as performed during their recent KEXP in-studio below:
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Midday …
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Midday …
