Ethereally emerging from her origins on the scene in 2012, Cali born and Atlanta cultivated, singer-songwriter, India Shawn released her debut album with Epic Records, Before We Go (Deeper.) It’s an introspective passage through heartbreak and desire while exploring what it means to really love oneself all the while building that same foundation with someone else. With her alluring tone, sultry voice, and the features from Anderson Paak, 6lack, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and more, this balanced and well written album is a straight play through from track 1.

            Life can be serendipitous. After missing her set on the BMI stage at Lollapalooza, I was excited to see that India would be back in Chicago performing at Subterranean in Wicker Park for the second stop of her Before We Go Deeper Tour. I got tickets on the spot.

            The venue offered an intimate vibe as the crowd brimmed to standing room up into the balcony. Her opening acts Remey Williams and Zyah Belle charmed the crowd.

            India gave a performance that delivered heart, vulnerability, and experience. Every song on her set list resonated lyrically as her voice reverberated all around the building. She was present and progressively fearless on stage leaving all of us in the audience with something more personal and honest. It was intertwined with an evolution of R&B yet true to its foundation. If you didn’t make it to this concert, you’ve missed out on a lasting organic high. Thank God I was able to be there.

            In case you have never been elevated with the melodic vibrations of India Shawn, you need to get in tune. She can be found featured with artist like The Free Nationals, Solange, and Dixson. Others have joined her in collabs including James Fauntleroy, Alex Isley and Cory Henry. Her music has found placement on Issa Rae’s hit HBO Series Insecure. You can recognize her writing credits alongside the Full Circle writing collective. She’s been around doing her creative thing in addition to supplying backgrounds for other artists.

             She’s unfiltered and transcending. Don’t sleep on the artist that is India Shawn. Be sure you will be hearing more from her as she is lifted beyond the outer limits in her artful career.