BALTIMORE — J Pope and The HearNow (formerly Funk Friday) is a hip-hop infused alt-soul group based in Baltimore. As one of Baltimore’s best-kept musical secrets, the band’s reputation for eclectic composition, deft improvisation, and profound call-to-action lyrical content is built on high-energy live performances.
After years of questions from their loyal supporters, the group has finally finished a studio recording that they are confident will leave the souls of listeners sonically satiated. The debut album, Soul Searching, is a snapshot of a period that saw shifting band members, failed experiments and lessons learned, but also intense moments of inspiration and clarity.
The project was produced by acclaimed Baltimore artist Wendel Patrick (Professor of Hip Hop at the Peabody Conservatory, co-producer of PRX’s Out of the Blocks) and is set for release on June 16, 2017 at the Creative Alliance at the Patterson located at 3134 Eastern Avenue in Baltimore City at 8 p.m.
The album release show will feature special appearances by Brooks Long, Love the Poet (Punani Poets), Eze Jackson (Soul Cannon), Wendel Patrick, QueenEarth, Symantix, Jahiti (BrownFISH), Wordslave (Kelly Bell band), Jonathan Gilmore, Femi the Drifish (The 5th L), Shodekeh and more.
J Pope and The HearNow members include: Jasmine Pope (vocals), Jacob Kohlhas (guitar), Dan Samuels (drums), Gabriel Pickus (percussion), Daniel Wallace (saxophone) and Andrew Freed (bass).
The Creative Alliance at the Patterson brings artists and audiences together from diverse backgrounds to experience and participate in the arts. It supports Baltimore-area artists, promotes the city as a center for creative production, acts as a positive force for the community, and advocates for cultural expression rooted in a sense of place.