Minneapolis artist aims to speak to hard times, give hope in collaborative concert
Artist Joe Davis gives a spoken word performance.
Tim Evans for MPR News
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Audio transcript
[ENDIA TIERRA, "JUST BREATHE"] Just breathe
I woke up this morning feeling so alive
Wanting to ask myself why
But that ain't the way
NINA MOINI: Minneapolis poet, musician, and activist Joe Davis and his band, the Poetic Diaspora, is preparing a long lineup of musicians to celebrate Black music and poetry in our region. They're calling it "Diaspora-- On the Rise," and it'll feature music from a wide variety of musicians, including local artist Endia Tierra, who you just heard a moment ago.
Joe Davis is with me now to tell us more about the music and poetry he's gathered for that event, which is coming up on Saturday night at the Northrop Auditorium in Minneapolis. Joe, thanks so much for being with us.
JOE DAVIS: Absolutely. Thanks for having me.
NINA MOINI: I understand you've already had a busy morning, because you were presenting and a keynote speaker for another Black History Month celebration at Minot State University. How are you feeling today?
JOE DAVIS: I'm feeling energized. I had a really rich conversation with some students and staff, so I'm inspired. I want to carry forward that energy to the concert this weekend, yeah.
NINA MOINI: Yeah. There's so much work to be done, and artists like yourself are often called upon in hard times for community. Obviously, Minnesota's been going through a lot over the past couple of months with the ICE presence here and the ICE surge. I'm wondering how you're feeling called by your community right now.
JOE DAVIS: Yeah, there's no doubt that we're going through some really heavy times. The city is hurting. But I've consistently felt a calling to show up for my community as an artist. That's the reason why I'm even an artist to begin with, is because when I was younger, it was the arts that helped me navigate some really tough times in my life. And so I want to create that space for other people, too.
I think about Nina Simone, one of my favorite quotes from her. She says, it's the artist's responsibility to speak to the times. And so we want to speak to the times. We also want to offer some hope and some healing, so that when folks do come to the concert they can leave feeling lighter, but also feeling empowered with some tools and some practices and resources to carry the work forward.
NINA MOINI: I also wonder, Joe, so many people are looking for ways to release emotion and thoughts but maybe they feel like they're not a poet professionally, or this is silly. What do you suggest to people about the power of writing? That's something that you consistently talk about that I read about. What would you tell people about getting stuff out on paper?
JOE DAVIS: Yeah. I think that because of capitalism, and the way we look at artistry as it has to make money, I think if we can just realize that it's our birthright, and it's our honor and joy and privilege to be able to express ourselves creatively, and just look at it as play. Just have some fun.
Because when we're kids and we're creating, we don't have that same level of pressure. You look at kids, and they're full of curiosity and awe and wonder and joy. So tapping back into that inner child and playing again when you're writing, whether you're dancing or singing-- however you choose to express yourself-- remembering that you're allowed to do that. Give yourself a permission slip and just have fun. That's what I would tell everybody.
NINA MOINI: And tell us about the event this weekend, and how it came together, and who's involved.
JOE DAVIS: Yeah, so I definitely have to shout out Phillip Shoultz, the choir director of VocalEssence. He's a good friend and collaborator of mine. We've done many shows together and we actually did a show at Northup, and I had told him about the Diaspora's upcoming project, and we made some connections and then started to partner with Northup to bring this concert to life.
And so Phillip Shoultz and VocalEssence is one of the choirs that will be singing with us, alongside Known MPLS, Courtland Pickens and Known, which is a huge gospel choir. And then there's a children's choir, ComMUSICation, that'll also be singing with us. So we have three intergenerational choirs. We have the full band, the Diaspora. So we have horns and keys and strings and dancers and singers.
It's a really big, beautiful celebration that I think the city needs right now, because we've been hurting and we need a space where we can unite and come together and continue to lift each other up. And not only are we bringing music, but we're also going to be bringing some mutual aid and crisis response resources, too, so we can continue to protect and care for each other.
NINA MOINI: So much talent is going to be in the room. You mentioned VocalEssence will be there. I want to be sure to listen to some of the featured music. You've collaborated with them before, like you said. Let's take a listen to your performance with them from a few years back. This is "Love Like Fire."
[VOCALESSENCE FT. JOE DAVIS AND THE DIASPORA, "LOVE LIKE FIRE"]
Let it burn
Each flame is an anguish which can't be tamed
And contained in our language
It burns away our chains and cages
Till all that remains is love
What needs to die and why won't we let it
What needs new life to be resurrected
And why must death be the prerequisites
It's the process of perfection and we're not perfected yet
See, it may burn, but it's not meant to burn us
It may hurt, but it's not meant to hurt us
But to free us from our burdens
Revive, purify, and purge us
Until the fruit-bearing root buried beneath the surface
Re-emerges
We won't be consumed
We'll blossom and bloom
Like a butterfly who's lost its cocoon
We will rise just like God gave Noah the rainbow sign
No more water, it's fire this time
Come on
Yeah
I wish somebody's soul would catch on fire
Sing it
Catch on fire, catch on fire
I wish somebody's soul would catch on fire
Burning till we're healed and whole
I wish somebody's soul would
NINA MOINI: Joe, will you tell us a little bit about that? What was that performance about?
JOE DAVIS: Yeah, so I love collaborating with VocalEssence. They're one of my favorites, and that was one of their concerts that they had a few years back. We were just bringing people together around healing, around awakening love, part of their series that they do. And that song actually came from the 2020 George Floyd uprisings, is when we wrote that.
So our music has always had that theme of bringing folks together across lines of differences, for the sake of healing and hope. And so that's the energy we want to continue to bring forward. I know we need it now more than ever, and really grateful to do it alongside other brilliant artists who have the same goal in mind.
NINA MOINI: I've also read you describing what you do, and what you're bringing to people, as tools for reconnection. Can you describe what you mean by that?
JOE DAVIS: Yeah. Whenever I look out at the audience, whether it's a conference or a concert, and I see people of multiple races and ages and genders and backgrounds, I think few things bring people together like the arts. I think that's just something inherent about them that we gravitate towards, that taps into a deep part of our humanity. And so that's why I think that's one of the strongest tools we have in our toolkit to create social transformation and inner healing.
NINA MOINI: Anything that you're most excited about, performance-wise, coming up? Or anything that people got to about?
JOE DAVIS: Well, I'm just so grateful to be performing at Northup. It's such a gorgeous venue, and we can really do a lot of cool things in that particular space. So we're activating the lobby like I said, with some things that people can take home with them, some resources, because we really want to continue to care for our neighbors at this time. And so I'm super excited that we're able to have that space, as well as the music. I think they go hand in hand.
And so I can't say thank you enough to everybody who's come together to make this possible. I'm just one voice of the collective many, and so it's all about us. The theme has been, we rise higher together. We rise as high as we lift each other. So that's what we're going to do this weekend.
NINA MOINI: And there's still tickets available. People can still show up, right?
JOE DAVIS: I don't think it's sold out yet, so you got to get them before they're sold out. But yes, all ages, and it's pay what you wish, too. So yeah.
NINA MOINI: Excellent. Well, right after this everyone's going to snatch them up, I'm sure. [LAUGHS] Thank you so much for being with us, Joe, and for sharing your work with us. Really appreciate it.
JOE DAVIS: Absolutely. Much love, much gratitude. Appreciate you all.
NINA MOINI: That was Minneapolis poet, musician, and activist Joe Davis. He's organized this concert called "Diaspora-- On the Rise." It's at 7:00 PM at Northrop Auditorium in Minneapolis. It's coming up on Saturday. You can head to mprnews.org for more details.
I woke up this morning feeling so alive
Wanting to ask myself why
But that ain't the way
NINA MOINI: Minneapolis poet, musician, and activist Joe Davis and his band, the Poetic Diaspora, is preparing a long lineup of musicians to celebrate Black music and poetry in our region. They're calling it "Diaspora-- On the Rise," and it'll feature music from a wide variety of musicians, including local artist Endia Tierra, who you just heard a moment ago.
Joe Davis is with me now to tell us more about the music and poetry he's gathered for that event, which is coming up on Saturday night at the Northrop Auditorium in Minneapolis. Joe, thanks so much for being with us.
JOE DAVIS: Absolutely. Thanks for having me.
NINA MOINI: I understand you've already had a busy morning, because you were presenting and a keynote speaker for another Black History Month celebration at Minot State University. How are you feeling today?
JOE DAVIS: I'm feeling energized. I had a really rich conversation with some students and staff, so I'm inspired. I want to carry forward that energy to the concert this weekend, yeah.
NINA MOINI: Yeah. There's so much work to be done, and artists like yourself are often called upon in hard times for community. Obviously, Minnesota's been going through a lot over the past couple of months with the ICE presence here and the ICE surge. I'm wondering how you're feeling called by your community right now.
JOE DAVIS: Yeah, there's no doubt that we're going through some really heavy times. The city is hurting. But I've consistently felt a calling to show up for my community as an artist. That's the reason why I'm even an artist to begin with, is because when I was younger, it was the arts that helped me navigate some really tough times in my life. And so I want to create that space for other people, too.
I think about Nina Simone, one of my favorite quotes from her. She says, it's the artist's responsibility to speak to the times. And so we want to speak to the times. We also want to offer some hope and some healing, so that when folks do come to the concert they can leave feeling lighter, but also feeling empowered with some tools and some practices and resources to carry the work forward.
NINA MOINI: I also wonder, Joe, so many people are looking for ways to release emotion and thoughts but maybe they feel like they're not a poet professionally, or this is silly. What do you suggest to people about the power of writing? That's something that you consistently talk about that I read about. What would you tell people about getting stuff out on paper?
JOE DAVIS: Yeah. I think that because of capitalism, and the way we look at artistry as it has to make money, I think if we can just realize that it's our birthright, and it's our honor and joy and privilege to be able to express ourselves creatively, and just look at it as play. Just have some fun.
Because when we're kids and we're creating, we don't have that same level of pressure. You look at kids, and they're full of curiosity and awe and wonder and joy. So tapping back into that inner child and playing again when you're writing, whether you're dancing or singing-- however you choose to express yourself-- remembering that you're allowed to do that. Give yourself a permission slip and just have fun. That's what I would tell everybody.
NINA MOINI: And tell us about the event this weekend, and how it came together, and who's involved.
JOE DAVIS: Yeah, so I definitely have to shout out Phillip Shoultz, the choir director of VocalEssence. He's a good friend and collaborator of mine. We've done many shows together and we actually did a show at Northup, and I had told him about the Diaspora's upcoming project, and we made some connections and then started to partner with Northup to bring this concert to life.
And so Phillip Shoultz and VocalEssence is one of the choirs that will be singing with us, alongside Known MPLS, Courtland Pickens and Known, which is a huge gospel choir. And then there's a children's choir, ComMUSICation, that'll also be singing with us. So we have three intergenerational choirs. We have the full band, the Diaspora. So we have horns and keys and strings and dancers and singers.
It's a really big, beautiful celebration that I think the city needs right now, because we've been hurting and we need a space where we can unite and come together and continue to lift each other up. And not only are we bringing music, but we're also going to be bringing some mutual aid and crisis response resources, too, so we can continue to protect and care for each other.
NINA MOINI: So much talent is going to be in the room. You mentioned VocalEssence will be there. I want to be sure to listen to some of the featured music. You've collaborated with them before, like you said. Let's take a listen to your performance with them from a few years back. This is "Love Like Fire."
[VOCALESSENCE FT. JOE DAVIS AND THE DIASPORA, "LOVE LIKE FIRE"]
Let it burn
Each flame is an anguish which can't be tamed
And contained in our language
It burns away our chains and cages
Till all that remains is love
What needs to die and why won't we let it
What needs new life to be resurrected
And why must death be the prerequisites
It's the process of perfection and we're not perfected yet
See, it may burn, but it's not meant to burn us
It may hurt, but it's not meant to hurt us
But to free us from our burdens
Revive, purify, and purge us
Until the fruit-bearing root buried beneath the surface
Re-emerges
We won't be consumed
We'll blossom and bloom
Like a butterfly who's lost its cocoon
We will rise just like God gave Noah the rainbow sign
No more water, it's fire this time
Come on
Yeah
I wish somebody's soul would catch on fire
Sing it
Catch on fire, catch on fire
I wish somebody's soul would catch on fire
Burning till we're healed and whole
I wish somebody's soul would
NINA MOINI: Joe, will you tell us a little bit about that? What was that performance about?
JOE DAVIS: Yeah, so I love collaborating with VocalEssence. They're one of my favorites, and that was one of their concerts that they had a few years back. We were just bringing people together around healing, around awakening love, part of their series that they do. And that song actually came from the 2020 George Floyd uprisings, is when we wrote that.
So our music has always had that theme of bringing folks together across lines of differences, for the sake of healing and hope. And so that's the energy we want to continue to bring forward. I know we need it now more than ever, and really grateful to do it alongside other brilliant artists who have the same goal in mind.
NINA MOINI: I've also read you describing what you do, and what you're bringing to people, as tools for reconnection. Can you describe what you mean by that?
JOE DAVIS: Yeah. Whenever I look out at the audience, whether it's a conference or a concert, and I see people of multiple races and ages and genders and backgrounds, I think few things bring people together like the arts. I think that's just something inherent about them that we gravitate towards, that taps into a deep part of our humanity. And so that's why I think that's one of the strongest tools we have in our toolkit to create social transformation and inner healing.
NINA MOINI: Anything that you're most excited about, performance-wise, coming up? Or anything that people got to about?
JOE DAVIS: Well, I'm just so grateful to be performing at Northup. It's such a gorgeous venue, and we can really do a lot of cool things in that particular space. So we're activating the lobby like I said, with some things that people can take home with them, some resources, because we really want to continue to care for our neighbors at this time. And so I'm super excited that we're able to have that space, as well as the music. I think they go hand in hand.
And so I can't say thank you enough to everybody who's come together to make this possible. I'm just one voice of the collective many, and so it's all about us. The theme has been, we rise higher together. We rise as high as we lift each other. So that's what we're going to do this weekend.
NINA MOINI: And there's still tickets available. People can still show up, right?
JOE DAVIS: I don't think it's sold out yet, so you got to get them before they're sold out. But yes, all ages, and it's pay what you wish, too. So yeah.
NINA MOINI: Excellent. Well, right after this everyone's going to snatch them up, I'm sure. [LAUGHS] Thank you so much for being with us, Joe, and for sharing your work with us. Really appreciate it.
JOE DAVIS: Absolutely. Much love, much gratitude. Appreciate you all.
NINA MOINI: That was Minneapolis poet, musician, and activist Joe Davis. He's organized this concert called "Diaspora-- On the Rise." It's at 7:00 PM at Northrop Auditorium in Minneapolis. It's coming up on Saturday. You can head to mprnews.org for more details.
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