Role Model: Indë's Hometown Release Concert
Role Model Album Release Concert at Bombyx
Saturday, March 21st at 7PM
Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity, 130 Pine St, Florence
Celebrate the debut of Role Model, the remarkable new album by Northampton-born artist Indë, through an immersive hometown release concert at Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity this Saturday, March 21st at 7PM.
Tickets at Bombyx.live | Card to Culture Tickets Available
About the Album
Role Model is a “künstlerroman,” an artist’s coming-of-age story, that soundtracks Indë’s mission to become the Black queer role model their community lacked during their childhood. The evening-length concert will present the album in its entirety, alongside a live community choir that the audience is invited to join in song.
The 25 year-old artist, mentee of the late gospel/blues/roots singer Evelyn Harris, amplifies the representation of queer Black people in the River Valley, manifesting the figures who were absent from their upbringing in the boonies. Indë’s work calls to mind a quote from filmmaker Marlon Riggs: “It is necessary to constantly remind ourselves we are not an abomination.” Safe spaces for queer & trans BIPoC are few and far between, especially as fascism sinks its teeth deeper into Turtle Island; Indë’s work creates a transformative environment for vulnerability, solidarity, and the centering of QTBIPoC voices.
Featured Track: COME ON HOME
In Indë’s own words:
“This anthemic pop-soul love song welcomes listeners to my chosen family with a sonic embrace. In “COME ON HOME,” I paint a picture of a home for free spirits, with soulful runs and playful lyrics slung over a swung groove featuring guitarist Hazel Basil, whose playing immediately harkens to Prince’s signature smooth distortion. The polyphony of the Queer Joy Chorus adds a robust dimension to “COME ON HOME,” expanding the scope of my work from a solitary artist to a community leader as we sing ‘my love, my faith, my gender I’m done with pretendin’ in gospel harmony.”
The accompanying video features a fully queer cast, choreography by Jules Skloot, and special appearances by Qween Jean and Mr. J (AKA Jed Jasper) — with the familiar backdrop of 50 Arrow Gallery grounding the story in local creative space.
