Once in a while, the music industry delivers the perfect creative pairing and, when it comes to Lady Blackbird and producer-guitarist Chris Seefried, the symbiosis is undeniable. Initially meeting in a studio session, the musical chemistry was almost instant. Blackbird says that the key to meeting the people that change your life is to pay attention and be aware, but not to hold on too tight and risk blocking anything, adding, “Just be ready to receive it.”
First encouraged to sing in church and perform the national anthem at ball games, Lady Blackbird (born Marley Munroe) began searching for her own sound after signing to a Christian label and recognizing the disconnect between their beliefs and her own. She later toured with DC Talk’s TobyMac and did studio sessions. “It started out with me looking for acceptance,” says Blackbird. “Now I view it differently because I'm not looking for anybody to be able to accept me—you accept me or you don't, and I am me whether you like it or not. I had to learn how to accept myself.” The release of 2020’s “Blackbird” (a Nina Simone reinterpretation) coincided with the Black Lives Matter movement and George Floyd murder aftermath, building momentum and birthing her moniker.
Meeting incredible people along the way has helped her confidence, and Blackbird says Seefried has been pivotal to the journey. “I love Chris as a human, as my friend. I didn't know it was going to be that in the beginning,” she says, in addition to being musical soulmates. “You meet because of music and it turns into this beautiful friendship. The music becomes secondary because these vital things with this person take over. That means the most. The music is the cherry on top.” When they met, Seefried was stunned by Blackbird’s unusual melody lines. “We were in a session and sang that melody, had an incredible voice, and wrote weird stuff. I just wanted to work with this person. I've written so many songs, I know where I'm going to go. I'm more interested in where she's going to go.”
Blackbird’s melodies come to her somewhat spontaneously like scat downloads, and Seefried loves to harmonize and write lyrics over her ideas, but their musical chemistry is what stands out. Walking into the studio, Blackbird tells Seefried, “I have no idea what I'm talking about yet, but this is what it sounds like.” She adds, “For me, it was always melody first.”
Working in sessions together for five years has meant exploring extensive genres and styles before recording Black Acid Soul (2022, via BMG UK), bringing a broad reference to the studio and stage. “We kind of do whatever musically. What makes it all work is her voice,” shares Seefried. “She can sing anything with believability, conviction, and a sense of purpose, because she relates to all kinds of music, as do I. The trick is to make this musical story make sense. One way we did was to tie it lyrically with her personal story.” A great song comes down to the performer being able to “strongly relate to the story and feeling of what's being delivered” as “an alchemy between melody and lyric,” explains Seefried.
“Man on a Boat” from 2024’s follow-up album, Slang Spirituals, remains one of Blackbird’s favorites to perform live. “I can feel that moment every time,” she says. Climbing the U.K. charts and entering the Official Jazz Chart at No. 1, Blackbird was named 2022’s Jazz FM International Jazz Act of the Year. Performances include The Graham Norton Show, The Jonathan Ross Show, Radio 2’s Piano Room, Strictly Come Dancing, multiple jazz festivals, and tours with Gregory Porter and Moby. Lady Blackbird is currently touring with her band.
Contact White PR, ashley@ashleywhitepr.com
Visit Lady Blackbird at ladyblackbird.com
