For the forWARD finale, Rochester's Annie Mack is bringing the Soul Train
For the final forWARD Neighborhood Park Concert of 2021, Annie Mack will share the stage with the multi-genre ensemble Soul Train.
The concert begins at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 8 at John Withers Sports Complex, 2021 Mayowood Road SW. As with previous forWARD concerts, the show is free and open to the public. There will be on-site concessions from Taco Lab, Bleu Duck and Jersey Jo’s.
Now, usually for these interviews we focus on the headliner; in this case, Annie Mack. But because Mack has become such a prolific performer in the local music scene — we are such big fans that we devoted entire podcast to her latest release, Testify, earlier this year — we decide to flip things around for this interview and introduce you to the opener, Soul Train.
The group came together during the pandemic around a shared appreciation for music, and a desire to help bring healing to their listeners during a difficult period. Today, they play a range of material from the 60s to current times — bringing together soul, blues, R&B and pop.
Recently, we caught up with singer LaSonya Natividad to learn the story of the Soul Train, plus what she hopes audiences take away from their music.
MCB: Let's go back to your childhood. How did you first get involved with music?
Natividad: I grew up singing in the church starting about age 5-6 soon afterwards, I was one of the youngest children to sing in my piano player's community gospel choir. In Lousiana you could start singing in choir at school in 4th grade. I participated in both band and choir throughout high school. I sang for art competition as well.
MCB: How do your Southern roots influence the music you perform now?
Natividad: Music was a part of everyday life in Louisiana much like farming is here in Minnesota. Many of my classmates played instruments in and out of the church because their families had a history of creating music. I am heavily influenced by gospel and the soulful side of blues. I have been listening to many of the songs I perform since I was a child, and it feels like the music is encoded in my DNA.
MCB: Tell us about your band, Soul Train. What brought you together?
Natividad: The Soul Train was created during the pandemic as the members share my love for soulful music. We lost a few members from the previous rock version of the band and changed the song choices to cover more soul, blues, R&B and pop. We cover music spanning seven decades. Many of the members are classically trained and have been performing much longer than myself. There is no me without the powerhouse of a band to back me up. Soul Train was one of my favorite shows growing up watching on Saturday mornings as it was one of the only televised music shows that featured people that looked like me.
MCB: You are opening for local legend Annie Mack. What will that be like?
Natividad: Annie and I have known each other for many years. I have enjoyed watching her music journey over the years. As a woman of color, I fully support her and feel honored that we can enjoy the same space which we do not often have the opportunity to do so. Perhaps now, folks can see she and I are two different people [laughter]. I am mistaken for her often.
MCB: Each time you go out and perform, what do you hope your audience takes away?
Natividad: I want the audience to walk away feeling a sense of inspiration, hope, love and peace. No other artform can quite move the soul like music. The Soul Train will take you on a journey as inspired by its name. Come on, ride this train.
