I happened across Kashimana recently performing at the Harriet Bandshell. Her voice, her sound is amazing and unique. Her new album, Phantom Cries, is about becoming a mama and would serve as an instructive “what to expect” resource for anyone in a position to take it all in. It’s powerful and you can hear her live on July 28 at the Cedar Cultural Center.
Tell us about yourself and how you came to music?
My name is Kashimana, I am a mother, musician, composer, and performer. I came to music through my parents, through church, tv, and the radio. Music was never far in my household and my parents loved to sing and so I grew up singing. I fell in love with music when I started to compose my songs at the age of eight and suddenly a whole new world opened up to me. At first, I was very shy about my songwriting and since I didn’t have a physical instrument I started with my voice. After having my daughter I grew in confidence in my writing and style of composing because my arms were really busy holding a baby for a few months.
I have three daughters. The youngest is 19. “Introduction” brought me back to the labor and delivery room so fast – a place I have not been in my mind in almost two decades. The fear, the unknowing, the going from me to we, the ridiculousness of it all. It’s amazing. What drove you to sing about it so frankly and how soon after becoming a Mama did you write it.
The labor room was one of the most disorienting experiences that I’ve ever had in my life to date and while media tends to show the pain and quickness of delivery I was in labor for almost 4 days as they tried to induce me 3 times. I wanted to be authentic about the messiness, disorientation, and fear I felt. I also believe it was important to do that as the first song to make it clear what type of journey we were about to embark on together.
I wrote the song about 8 or 9 months after my labor and it was scary for me because I hadn’t seen or heard anyone attempt something like that before. The other thing was almost everyone I asked about their labor sugar-coated the reality of what labor was like (either to shield me or perhaps they forget until something triggers a memory). I didn’t want to forget and I hope it helps first-time parents prepare.
What made you think of turning the sounds of the delivery room into a song in Only Human? (Genius!)
Thank you Only Human(Hey Hey Hey Ah) features the sounds of breathing during delivery which seemed so natural to me and I wanted people to sing and breathe together. The sound Hey Hey Hey Ah was also inspired by some of my daughter’s exclamation of joy and laughter. It became our let’s get moving anthem. It is really a fun song.
Phantom Cries is a heartbreaking song but beautiful. Can you tell us more about it?
Phantom Cries is a song about child loss and I wanted to write a song that told at least one story about this. I was shocked and disappointed at the increased numbers of Maternal and Infant Mortality. I was also frustrated that the rates are two to three times more among Black mothers and birthing persons. I remember looking at the research and reading many articles including one article by ProPublica called ‘Lost Mothers’ in 2017 that stuck with me. I started talking with my friends, family, and colleagues dealing with the same obstacles and lack of support in childbirth and the loss of a child. It really opened my eyes and this song poured out of me.
Please tell us about your 7/28 album release at the Cedar Cultural Center.
So all of these songs and more are on the Album Phantom Cries which will be my second full album after 2017. The Album release show is at 8pm, ShaVunda Brown will be opening and then I will close. The album will be performed from the beginning to the end and I will be joined by an amazing set of musicians who were also on the recording for the album. Aja Parham, Sarah O’Neil and Alicia Steele will be on vocals, Glory Yard will be on drums and percussion and Khary Jackson will be on bass guitar. It will be a journey you do not want to miss.
Mostly Minnesota 