Growing up in the suburbs of Irmo, South Carolina, Kyshona discovered her love of music sitting in the back pew getting chill bumps during the choir selections. Not really thinking she was one born with a voice, Kyshona picked up the piano as a means to express herself. Along the way, oboe and percussion came into play but it was hearing her father's guitar day in and day out that planted a seed. She fell in love with the raw sound of guitar and voice listening to her grandfather, aunts and uncles gather in the name of music during the holidays. Their honest voices and harmonies gave her a deep sense of her roots. It was through her professsion that Kyshona discovered her voice. Working as a music therapist with young men in the prison system and terminal hospital patients she discovered that her voice could convey more to and for her clients than mere words ever would. After years of using her voice and music to express feelings for others, Kyshona used her voice and music to express the feelings of her soul. The release of her debut album, "Sole Soul: the heart of kyshona" has put Kyshona Armstrong in front of many audiences throughout the south east. Her soulful, honest voice along with her percussive guitar style will take a fan from a neo soul groove to thought provoking folk ballad. Kyshona has been compared to Tracy Chapman, Diana Krall and Dionne Ferris. Remaining completely humble, Kyshona prays that she can be as blessed as these women and their music careers.
We do play live performances anywhere from brewery's, museums, music bars and venues, to outdoor festivals and historical theatres. We absolutely love playing live because of the energy that the crowd gives back... no performance is the same because no crowd is the same. The best performance to date was at the Atlanta History Center's Soul Series where we had the entire crowd harmonizing with us. Absolute fun!
I truly love all genres of music, so this is a hard question. It changes as my mood does. Some of my most recent influences are Nina Simone, Nika Costa, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Aretha Franklin, and Eva Cassidy.
Geesh, I wish I was one of those people with lists and lists of preferred amps and monitors and microphones. But in truth, I keep it simple. Just me and my Fender acoustic/electric and something to plug it in to. The guys in the band are just as simple as me... if not more... just give them an outlet and a carpet to set up on.
