Spotlight On: ZOLA JESUS

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S SHERO IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

Before the world came to know her as Zola Jesus, the singer, songwriter, pianist, and producer Nika Danilova was born in Arizona to first generation American parents of Slovenian, Russian and Ukrainian descent. She was raised in Northern Wisconsin, and studied piano and voice from a young age, with a dream of becoming an opera singer. Though her struggles with anxiety got in the way of that dream, she soon began building another one. In college Nika began writing and recording songs, eventually releasing some early singles in 2008, her proper debut The Spoils arrived in 2009, and Zola Jesus was born. Now over a decade and five albums later, Nika Danilova is about to return with her sixth on June 24th, called Arkhon, the first Zola Jesus album in five years, and perhaps her most fully realized music to date. Nika Danilova AKA Zola Jesus is this week’s SHERO in the Spotlight. 

Our playlist includes new music from Sylvan Esso, Ibeyi, and SASAMI. 

SHERO BIRTHDAYS: We celebrate the birthdays of SHEROES Alison Moyet of Yaz on 6/18, and Heart’s Ann Wilson on 6/19. Plus SHERO alum SASAMI turns 32 on 6/23. She shares a birthday with the late great June Carter Cash, who was born in 1929 and passed away in 2003. 

This week’s Radio SHERO: Gini Mascorro of KXT in Dallas joins us this week to share a track called “Enough” from Dallas trio The Bralettes.