A soul-funk singer-songwriter on her way to Nanaimo does not fall short on words when it comes to the magic of group singing.
“I just love that feeling where it feels organic for people to sing together … Those moments where you have a lot of people that love to sing raise their voices together. And you have a song that helps make that happen. It’s a really beautiful feeling,” said Coco Love Alcorn, whose nearly 30-year career has resulted in cross-country tours, collaborations, festival appearances, award nominations and nine solo albums. “Choirs singing my songs have woven itself into my life and sense of self … I couldn’t imagine without it. It’s just been a really beautiful evolution to transition from mainly singing for and to people, to also including with people.”
Although her career hasn’t always involved group singing, Alcorn’s B.C. performances, including a Nanaimo stop on Friday, July 5, will be preceded by vocal workshops. Workshops led by the singer-songwriter are not uncommon, however, considering one of her last shows in Nanaimo roughly seven years ago also included one with the Island Soul Choir. Throughout the pandemic, the singer-songwriter did notice that the performances she missed most were the ones where the energy would build and become nearly palpable – often, the ones following a workshop.
The Island concerts will feature music from Alcorn's latest two albums, Rebirth and Wonderland, as well as a few older songs, and some newer ones that have yet to be recorded.
One song in particular, River, which was recorded more than a decade ago and appears on Wonderland, has been sung by “hundreds and hundreds of choirs from all around the world,” and has “travelled way farther” than the singer-songwriter has.
In Nanaimo, Alcorn will host a workshop from 2-4 p.m. at the Nanaimo Yacht Club, 400 Newcastle Ave., on Friday, July 5. The concert will follow, same day and venue, at 7:30 p.m.
She will also hold a workshop and concert in Victoria on July 4, in Comox on July 6, and in Vancouver on July 25.
Tickets for the workshops and concert,s both in Nanaimo and other locations, can be purchased separately or together online at www.cocolovealcorn.com.
