Spotlight On: VAGABON
ABOUT THIS WEEK’S SHERO IN THE SPOTLIGHT:
Self-taught multi-instrumentalist, producer, and singer-songwriter Laetitia Tamko was born in Cameroon, and moved to the States with her family at the tender age of 13 so that her mother could pursue a law degree. With French as her native language, and West African music as her childhood soundtrack, Laetitia's path to becoming the groundbreaking New York indie rocker we now know as Vagabon was one she chartered entirely on her own, and even at first, in secret. Finding the support of many other young women in a vibrant Brooklyn indie and punk scene, Laetitia was building circuit boards and studying quantum physics and calculus in engineering school when she recorded her debut EP Persian Garden and put it up on Bandcamp in 2014. Three years later, her breakthrough full length debut Infinite Worlds came out, and last fall, Vagabon’s critically-hailed self-titled album was released on Nonesuch Records. She may be soft spoken, but her inner strength, passion for music and fearlessness comes through loud and clear.
Our playlist features new music from Khruangbin, Grammy and Polaris prize nominee Lido Pimienta, newcomer Claud, and London producer TSHA. Plus Kirsty MacColl, Liz Phair, and birthday SHERO Beth Orton, who turns 50 on 12/14.
And - our Radio SHERO of the week is Jill Riley from newly-added affiliate, The Current, Minneapolis/St. Paul, who helps to close EP5 with her guest DJ Pick: Linda Ronstadt “Willin’”.