Steam Down - “Free My Skin"

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 3 

Pairs Well With…Ezra Collective, Snarky Puppy, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah

Steam Down is an explosion of Jazz energy, a London based collective of multi-disciplinary musicians, vocalists, poets, and producers. Founded by multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Ahnansé in May 2017, the group consists of a central eight-member core of artists that effortlessly collaborates with many likeminded artists. Steam Down hosts a weekly event where the collective creates and collaborates spontaneously. They’re an extension of the creative jazz revitalization happening across the UK. The collective differentiates their sound by creating a unique mix of modern jazz, west African rhythms, spoken word poetry, soulful singing, and laid-back rapping. There’s a fluidity present in the performances that creates a musical experience that encourages the audience to be truly present and respectful of the sense of community created by the magnetic pull of the performers on stage. There’s only one track currently available on streaming services, the vibrant track Free My Skin, but a wealth of videos online to dive into to get a feeling for what can be expected in the collectives highly anticipated early 2020 EP and planned performances at SXSW 2020. (Nate Headden)