Toshi Reagon reflects on her upbringing and career in music. She discusses the influence of her mom, Nehendrix, and June Millington. They also talk about performing without set lists, her favorite album, and the changing landscape of the music industry. The success of Fire Up in My Bones at the Met Opera is also highlighted.
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Quick takeaways
Congregational singing unites communities and serves as a form of resistance and connection.
Toshi Regan uses art and storytelling to address present-day challenges and promote activism and transformation.
Deep dives
Toshi Regan's Musical Journey and Influences
Toshi Regan, an accomplished musician and activist, shares her experiences and influences in the music industry. Raised by parents who were prominent figures in the civil rights movement, Regan discusses the impact of growing up in an activist community and the values instilled in her from an early age. She also talks about her musical mentors, including folk legend Pete Seeger and singer-songwriter Nona Hendryx. Regan's career as an independent artist is highlighted, emphasizing her ability to create music on her own terms and the challenges she has faced within the music industry. She also touches on her involvement in projects like the Parable of the Sower opera, which explores social and environmental issues through music. Overall, Regan's journey as a musician is one of resilience, creativity, and a commitment to social justice.
The Significance of Congregational Singing
Congregational singing and its power to unite communities is a recurring theme in Toshi Regan's work. Drawing from her experiences with folk and gospel music traditions, Regan emphasizes the importance of singing together as a means of resistance and connection. She explains that congregational singing goes beyond individual voices and creates a sense of communal testimony and shared experience. Through her music, Regan aims to create spaces where people can come together, express themselves, and find strength in collective harmony.
The Influence of Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower
Regan discusses the impact of Octavia Butler's novel, Parable of the Sower, on her artistic journey. The dystopian story, set in a future plagued by climate change, wealth inequality, and societal collapse, resonates with Regan's own observations of present-day challenges. Inspired by the themes in Butler's book, Regan and her mother, Bernice Johnson Reagon, incorporated the narrative into their teaching and eventually developed a musical adaptation of the novel. Regan's intention is to use art and storytelling to address and confront the pressing issues of our time, building paths for activism and transformation.
In a lighter note, Regan reveals her enjoyment of collecting flashlights. She explains that carrying a flashlight is a practical habit she developed, always prepared for any situation. Her mother-in-law's annual gift of a new flashlight has further fueled her collection. The symbolism of light and its ability to guide and illuminate resonates with Regan and adds a warm and personal touch to her everyday experiences.