Photo credit: Olga Ush

Following her performance on The Kelly Clarkson Show and Bonnaroo in late June, R&B songstress Saleka returns with her enchanting new single, “Red Eyes.” “Red Eyes” arrives succeeding a string of praised singles some of which were featured on her father’s (M. Night Shyamalan) Apple TV+ series Servant.

Listen to “Red Eyes” HERE

Saleka will also open for Giveon on his Give Or Take Tour 2022. The tour will kick off on August 16 in her hometown, Philadelphia, PA, and includes a stop at Radio City Music Hall in NYC on August 19. You can get tickets HERE.

How did you get to this point of your career? Tell us your story

Well I’ve been playing classical piano for most of my life so I’ve always been familiar with music itself though the songwriting aspect only came later on. It’s been such a great learning process being able to leverage my knowledge of the piano with vocals, melodies and performing as well. 

Do you remember the first time you were captivated by pop music?

Oh, so well! I clearly remember listening to Lauryn Hill and Amy Winehouse and experiencing this new form of excitement I had only felt while playing classical music. But this time I felt the need to express my inner feelings with my voice! 

Flash forward to the present and your new song Red Eyes. Tell us about that

You know every song in this record has its own personality and tells its own story! I’m in love with all kinds of music and I want to be able to blend elements of soul, blues, latin and pop all together to create a unique atmosphere. I’m already writing new music for another record and it will be even more heterogeneous which is so exciting!

How are you feeling about this amazing tour you’re on with such an amazing artist like Giveon?

First of all, I’m just quite honored to be a part of this because I simply worship Giveon! This is a big tour and the mere fact that I was chosen to be a part of it makes me lucky! It’s an amazing opportunity to LEARN besides anything else. 

How do you think you will come out after this experience?

Well, I’m sure I will come out of this experience a stronger performer. There is no time to worry, whine or get nervous when you’re playing every night for a month and driving 10 hours a day. 

This is such a turning point for me because as a singer you need to take care of your vocals so meticulously otherwise you won’t make it and that’s that! So discipline is a massive aspect from the foods you need to avoid to how many hours of sleep you need every night and seemingly small things like that which are VITAL

Let’s close with this: what do you want your act and music to say ultimately?

I want my audience to feel connected! To the world, to their families, friends, to me, to their own selves. I want to show my full personality and build an artistic persona that says ‘Hey, this is the most authentic version of me!’ and you are allowed to feel the way you feel and be the person you are without any restraints.