KENNEKA COOK

enneka Cook, a native Richmond vocal artist, got her start in church and school choirs and recorded music using just her laptop and microphone during college. Her influences include Billie Holiday, Erykah Badu, The Cardigans and Reggie Watts, who introduced Cook to the process of live looping, which she uses in her music.

Much of her work is informed by her love for the cosmos, which is evident in her debut album, Moonchild Moonchild touches on topics like technology, social interaction, femininity and spirituality. The album was recorded in a makeshift studio in producer Scott Lane’s living room and features several local musicians. Cook graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University as a criminal justice major and entered the music scene by attending open mic nights.

HE WWAY, is an instrumental trio, whose collective influences create a unique blend of jazz, funk, rock, pop, reggae, blues and R&B. The group consists of guitarist Brian Mesko, bassist Dane Alderson and drummer Forrest Young. All three had been playing in different bands for a number of years, but THE WWAY was formed