We recently connected with Savannah Rivers and have shared our conversation below.
Savannah, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
As a Black Woman, it is not unfamiliar for me to be the only black person, or woman in a space so I have learned to only speak on my own personal experience, as well as honoring the generation of audacious women I come from.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
The voice’s vulnerability is its power. I blend alternative R&B with neo-soul jazz inflections in my music, which blooms from my personal journal entries. I highly regard lyricists like Jill Scott, JP Saxe, and Julia Michaels, as well as my favorite artists, Victoria Monet, Nick Hakim, and Lizzy McAlpine.
With a deep understanding of the impact of words, I’ve sought to channel my deepest emotions through them since I was ten. I blend my singer/songwriter journal-like lyrics with ethereal production techniques and R&B melodies. My artistry embodies both vulnerability and strength– It’s not just about my experiences surrounding the anxieties of growing up but also about the hard-to-articulate emotions we all share.
I’ve had the honor of performing at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Troubadour, TD Garden, Boston Symphony Hall, and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. In my first single, “reciprocate,” I drew inspiration from instances when I felt unseen. The final product painted another picture of that emotion, leaving the interpretation up to the listener.
I’m working on an EP to be released in the fall.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Honestly, and I feel like this sounds so cliche, but failure. I didn’t make my high school A Cappella group when I was a senior in high school. It was the first time I had ever been rejected for anything having to do with music. I was Devastated, but that was the first time I actually defended my voice. I think this was a pivotal moment in my confidence journey.
A Winner is a Loser that tried one. more. time.
Another quality is letting go of perfection. It will never be attainable in every context, and there is beauty in that.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
I think the most impactful thing they’ve ever done for me is support my dreams.
Ever since I was a child, I knew I wanted to be a singer. Despite the challenges they faced with each other, supporting me and my dreams was always a priority.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.savannahrivers.com/
- Instagram: @savannahrivers
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/savannah-rivers-247b52248?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Image Credits
Anu Sahar, Hannah Stirling, Savannah Rivers
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
