By Keith Walsh
Out of North Carolina, the rock trio of Female President emerged from the COVID pandemic and released their debut EP, Our Time To Grieve, last September. It’s a five track set filled with rousing tunes and ballads.
Vocalist/guitarist Dréa Atkins grew up the daughter of a bandleader, and listened to the sounds of jazz, swing and big band early on. Plus the music of her six siblings was always there. The influences on Female President’s discography– Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Patsy Kline, Nina Simone, David Bowie, Blondie, Van Halen, The Clash, The Who, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind and Fire – burst out of the speakers and demand attention.
There’s stellar songwriting and performances here. “Elegy For My Father” is a touching ode, while “Bring Back The Ghosts” describes the glory and the struggles of a traveling musician’s life. “Sacred Voyage,” featuring Atkin’s transcendent voice soaring on the choruses, despite the tragic theme. My personal favorite from Our Time To Grieve is the catchy alt rock tune, “Nine Nineteen.”
The songs on Our Time To Grieve are soulful and powerful; with the release of “Joy Lab”, the first single from the upcoming The Healing Ritual, Atkins and colleagues Johnny Moss (bass) and Jasper Cunningham (drums) promises an even more raucous listening experience from Female President.
The band’s name alone is badass, deriving from a philosophy of positive change that is sure to come. The songs are group compositions, and Atkins studied theater arts in college and performed stand up comedy for a while. Still, Female President is serious about the importance of advancing righteous causes (equality, protecting the environment.)
Motivated by the bleakness of the COVID pandemic, Female President was formed in 2020 and features members of other bands: Dréa Atkins is from Goodbye, Albatross, Johnny Moss is from DSR, and Jasper Cunningham is from Vacant Lights.
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