Think of the vocal stylings of Carole King, Bill Withers and Stevie Wonder in a modern twist.
Meet Lydia Persaud.
This Brampton native has been a professional musician for the past 10 years and brings her folk-soul delivery to the Songwriter Series at Donaleigh’s in downtown Barrie next month.
Her debut album, Let Me Show You, was released May 10.
“It has been getting nice reviews and I’ve been getting good support," Persaud says. "It's an absolute thrill to release a first album.”
Her intimate performance will be June 11 at Donaleigh’s on Dunlop Street East from 7-11 p.m.
Asked to describe her style, Persaud says it draws from many places.
“There is so much music out there," she says. "I guess I would call it folk-soul. The writing is folky with a bit of soul.
Persaud says it's nice to finally get the final product into people's hand.
"It's been three years in the works and is basically a personal narrative or commentary on heartbreak and love," she says. "I’ve always had a love for early country music and storytelling through song.”
As a woman of colour from a Canadian-Guyanese-Ukranian background, Persaud says she has actively sought to break stereotyped expectations of her identity through her music.
She did that, in part, by writing soul-based songs on the ukulele, which made her feel she was carving out her own space.
Persaud was exposed to music from an early age and her early influences sprang from singing in church.
The artist has worked with Gordon Lightfoot, David Crosby, Sarah Harmer, Serena Ryder and Terra Lightfoot and is a member of the cover band Dwayne Gretzky.
“I’m excited to return to Barrie. This is the first stop of a mini tour of Ontario," she says. "I will be playing a variety of songs from the album and hoping to build a bit of a fan base.”
Let Me Show You is available now on all streaming platforms.
For ticket information, email [email protected].
