Keturah Allgood may have grown up in North Carolina, but her music gives off plenty of West Coast vibes. Allgood, as she explains in her interview, is heavily influenced by the Grateful Dead and this gives her music — especially her latest single, “Radio” — an expansive feeling. Whether it’s an upbeat ditty or the somber “Rosary Beads,” Allgood is determined to help us all find the spark that keeps us going.
Who are some of your musical influences?
I have such an eclectic and diverse taste in music and it’s always been that way. I grew up in the church so my early influences were people like Mahalia Jackson and Vestal Goodman powerhouse women with soaring vocals. Songwriters like Tori Amos, Ani DiFranco, the Indigo Girls and Ferron loomed large for me when I was coming into my own as a young female artist. They all had such bravery and were heroes to me. I also spent a lot of time jamming to the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Willie Nelson, Nina Simone, Lucinda Williams and Joni Mitchell. Then there were blues Artists like Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, and Memphis Minnie who spoke such truth and gave me courage.
One of the coolest things about music to me is just the endless amount of it. There is so much music and so much to discover. I love vinyl so I am always going to record shows and am constantly in awe of what I find. Music from the early 1920s and 30s that just blows me away and then newer artists like MUNA, Ben Howard, Tyler Childers, Margo Price, Joy Oladokun and Allison Russell. I mean it’s just an endless well of creativity that is always influencing me in one way or another, Whether I am drawing on the past or reaching out into the hopeful future it’s just awesome to have so many great artists to listen to!
Explain the title of your album.
The title of my record is Shine. I decided to title the album after the track that I felt best represented what I am trying to convey and live, not only as an artist, but also in my everyday existence. I feel like we are so overcome right now with negativity and divisiveness in our society. So many people in so much pain. Shine is about reminding everyone of that light that we are all born with. That beautiful, brilliant light that has the ability to shine through all of this darkness.
If everyone could reach inside of themselves, find that light and then share it with their fellow humans I believe we could change the world.
How are you using your platform to support marginalized people?
I believe that this record is, in and of itself, a supportive mechanism for the marginalized among us. It is a pleading for the healing of our nation, for the soothing of our collective souls. My music has always been about bringing people together. I want everyone to feel like they are welcome at my shows and in my world. My entire message is is one of love, kindness and compassion. I use every opportunity I have when I take a stage to appeal to our better nature. I believe you have two choices in this life. You can live in love or you can live in fear. I encourage my listeners to choose love. I tell them to look into the hearts of their families, neighbors, coworkers and friends to see beyond all that divides us to the things that unite us. To listen to one another, to see one another’s pain and lean in instead of leaning away. It feels so much better to say “how can I help you,” instead of constantly sitting around thinking “how can I hurt you”. Choose love.
Have you ever been given something remarkable by a fan?
Yes! I was playing a local show in my hometown and a woman came in. She was older and had such a beautiful smile and sweet spirit. I immediately noticed that she was wearing an amazingly cool Grateful Dead scarf. I am a huge Dead fan. She was really digging the show so at our set break I went up to her and introduced myself. I told her I loved her scarf and she proceeded to tell me that she had been a deadhead for years and that the scarf she had on was over 30 years old. We talked about shows and just wanted to sit and talk to her all night, but of course, I had to get back up on stage. I excused myself and went to the restroom. When I came back she had placed the scarf around my mic stand. After the show I went to return it to her and she said, “I’ve gotten enough use out of it, it’s yours now”. That scarf has been on my person or my mic stand at every show ever since!
What would you say to people who are currently questioning their identities?
I would tell them to be gentle with themselves. Give themselves grace and room to breathe. I would tell them not to allow other people to make them feel ashamed of who they are and to know that even if they aren’t feeling loved or cared for in their family or community that there is a huge world out there with a lot of people waiting to wrap them up inside of their arms and embrace them.
Identity is a loaded thing for me personally — not only with my sexuality but also as an artist. I understand the need for people to have community, to feel seen and to feel like they have a place that they belong. My ultimate wish for our society, however, would be to evolve beyond labels in music and in life. I find for me that the term “queer” fits me better than anything else and I love the word itself. It just encompasses so much of who I am. I’ve been mainly with women since I was 15, married to a woman for 16 years and now I am engaged to a trans man.
Everyone always wants to know is she a lesbian, bi or pansexual? It’s the same with my music, is she folk, country, rock, blues, indie, Americana? I don’t really fit inside any of the boxes. I am the queer artist Keturah Allgood, it’s very nice to meet you!
Shine will be out on August 25th.