Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to open our hearts as we relish with our ears a reckoning of sound that will infiltrate our spirit with truth. A meteoric rising Rochester, New York native Danielle Ponder will awaken your mind with her upcoming debut album, SOME OF US ARE BRAVE, when it releases on August 26, 2022, via Future Classic.
The heartfelt second single, “The Only Way Out,” is one of my favorite tracks thus far on the SOME OF US ARE BRAVE debut album, which Glitter&Gumbo has the pleasure of reviewing. You will be blown away by Ponder’s gritty church roots, evident from the organ to the vocalization of the lyrics when she sings, “Sometimes a broken heart is the only way out.” Sheesh, the most accurate words ever spoken.
Baby, the whole album is bangin’ from beginning to end with truth serum and soul.
Glitter&Gumbo – Angela Cherise
Ponder’s entire debut album should be added to your musical library and placed within the “I wanna grab some wine and cheese and chill to the vibes this entire album brings.”
As the sixth of seven children, Ponder’s musical influence ranges from several powerful beings, including a familial musical role model provided by her father, a pastor with a natural gift for music. And her love of alternative rock and hip-hop influences from artists such as Alanis Morissette, Pearl Jam, Lauryn Hill, and The Roots is one of the reasons I subconsciously fell in love with Ponder’s music because it seems so familiar to me. It feels like home.
And to know that as a Black woman, Ponder took a leap of faith to pursue a full-time music career amidst her role as a successful public defender is admirable beyond measure. Ponder 100% made the right choice because her voice, experience, and truth serum are needed these days and times.
Viewing the tour schedule below, you can check out a live Danielle Ponder music experience when she arrives in a city near you. The singles “The Only Way Out” and “So Long” are available now ahead of her debut album SOME OF US ARE BRAVE, when it arrives on August 26, 2022, via all digital music platforms.
DANIELLE PONDER LIVE
July 9—The Ride Festival—Telluride, CO
July 10—The Ride Festival—Telluride, CO
August 4—Hayden Homes Amphitheater—Bend, OR†
August 5—McMenamins Grand Lodge—Forest Grove, OR†
August 6—Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery—Woodinville, WA†
August 8—Vogue Theatre—Vancouver, BC†
August 10—Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox—Spokane, WA†
August 11—The ELM—Bozeman, MT†
August 12—Fort Desolation Festival 2022—Torrey, UT
August 13—Fort Desolation Festival—Torrey, UT†
August 14—Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater—Vail, CO
August 15—Globe Hall—Denver, CO
August 18—Stiefel Theater—Salina, KS†
August 19—The Englert Theatre—Iowa City, IA†
August 20—Blue Gate Performing Arts Center—Shipshewana, IN†
August 22—Michigan Theater—Ann Arbor, MI†
August 23—Taft Theatre—Cincinnati, OH†
August 24—Zanzabar—Louisville, KY
August 26—Sacred Rose Festival—Bridgeview, IL
September 4—Nelsonville Music Festival—Nelsonville, OH
October 1—ShoalsFest—Florence, AL
† w/Amos Lee
