Under The Radar: Shawan Rice

Susquehanna Soul

I first encountered Rice’s music at a festival along Harrisburg’s Susquehanna River waterfront. At the time she was playing with a band under Shawan & The Wonton. I was just sipping a coffee in a folding chair, enjoy the shade of a hot Memorial Day weekend. The music began and I perked up. This young woman playing a guitar and wailing out neo-soul magic, then tossing in covers that she made her own. Everything from Amy Winehouse to Prince, which her cover of Purple Rain is what hooked me that day. It was a nice set on a nice day. Turns out we had many mutual friends in the Harrisburg Arts scene, but for one reason or another we never really connected in our years there.

Catchin Feels

Shawan’s first release Catchin’ Feels in 2015 was an E.P. of 5 tracks that introduce the sound that would become her signature. Jazzy, funky, riffs combined with poetic lyrics about love, loss, and the desires of the heart. Shawan’s sound was raw but showing signs of an artist that would grow into something more formidable. The influences of rock, jazz, funk, and R&B are all there. Shawan is a throwback to the Neo Soul resurgence of the 1990’s when acts like Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, and later Amy Winehouse brought a soulful smoothness to popular music. The influences of classic artists like Donny Hathaway, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Curtis Mayfield are all over Rice’s sound.

Rice would continue playing locally in Pennsylvania and releasing music. She eventually moved to New Orleans and became a busker earning her place amongst the many musicians who make a living on street playing. Shawan became a regular on the New Orleans busker scene, building a name and following. She would begin to work her way into the local bar and club scene playing regular gigs. She also frequently returned to Harrisburg and the east coast for short tours of the East Coast.

There is no other way to describe the 25-year-old’s voice but soulful. Her music, featuring traces of blues, R&B and folk laced together with her autobiographical lyrics, will probably wreck you but help you heal all over again.” — Yaasmeen Piper, The Burg Magazine June 19th, 2020

In 2021 Shawan along with several of her hometown musician friends recorded Live at the Whitaker Center which is a 9-song live record. This would be followed by 2023 release of “Fever Dreams”, her most polished and soulful release to date. Rice’s music continues to evolve and mature with her silky soulful vocals and the skillful funky guitar playing that adds a layer to the overall pleasure of her sound. She is playing regularly in New Orleans bars, clubs, cafés and other spots—often teaming up with other talented local players.

Swoonin’ For Shawan

Shawan Rice is a talent that I feel is not just under the radar but overlooked in today’s music culture of genre driven singles, auto-tune, and over-produced pop songs. “Fever Dreams” is a hidden gem of an album. The neo-soul flavor is rich with strong play, not just an attempt at a throwback sound—this is a proper statement from an artist with a genuine voice. Rice is the real deal, a true to the bone soul singer who has tapped into the past as much as contemporary influences. Her writing continues to blossom as she explores themes of the heart with the greasiness of a delta blues wailer, the lovesick swoon of a Memphis crooner and the sensuality of quiet storm pillow serenade.

“Fever Dreams” made my 2023 albums of the year list and I think it is only a matter of time before she starts t catch the eyes and ears of more critics. She is getting more opportunities to showcase her talent in the seep musical waters of the New Orleans scene. Playing the legendary New Orleans Jazz Fest in 2024 and making international waves playing in Italy in 2022.The more she hustles and grinds out gig after gig the better she gets. Spreading love, joy, and deep soulful truth everywhere she does. Check out her YouTube channel and Instagram feeds for more evidence. Rice is a force of feminine soul power, a conduit of sonic delight, and a light in a world that seems to be getting darker every day.

Her music is streaming on all streaming services.

Links:

Website: https://shawanmusic.com

Facebook: facebook.com/shawanrice/

Instagram: instagram.com/shawanrice/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw4F8WUdEoXyyvF3ZeNYKwg

COVER PHOTO BY : James Demaria 

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