To follow with the success of her recent album release, Kingston’s own Etana has announced her first headlining North American tour. With a rigorous tour schedule with back-to-back shows, she’s been working hard to bring her sound to the fans of the USA.
Her latest album, Better Tomorrow, was released February 26th under VP Records and marked her third studio album. With a fiery new sound that evolves from her previous albums, this 14-track release was produced by Shane C. Brown of Kingston’s Juke Boxx Productions and Stanley “Rellee” Hayden of A-Team Music. Legendary studio Tuff Gong Studios in 
Jamaica hosted Etana and several other top-notch musicians including Dean Fraser (Saxophone), Lamont Savory (Guitar), Kevon Webster (Keyboards), Kirk Bennett (Drummer), Aeion Hoilett (Bassist), and Uziah “Sticky” Thompson (Percussion).
The thirty year old singer and song writer will make her way all across the country hitting up over 20 cities! The tour kicked off in Decatur, GA and will span the South, North East, Midwest and West, giving fans all over a taste of her music. If you’re looking to get up close to the talent, catch her at one of the intimate club venues she has planned. For those looking to experience her performance at massive music festivals, you can do that since she’ll be rocking the stage at events such as Portland’s Northwest World Reggae Festival, Summer Jam 2013, Irie Music Festival and more.
Etana will be performing with her four-piece band as well as two back up vocalists, sure to give a quality experience. Even though many fellow reggae musicians have turned towards using Jamaica’s digital riddims we hear so often, Etana has committed herself to keeping her performance all live instrumentation.
“I wanted this album to feel like a concert performance and have everything go together, like chapters in a book, with all of the tracks played live by musicians, not digitally generated,” Etana explained.
Her most recent music video for her new album’s single “Reggae” has enjoyed many views on youtube and followers have given much support for the new album. She also recently gave fans the opportunity to connect with her via Youtube by asking them to send in submissions to her “The Strong One Sing Along Competition”. She gave much love to her winners and promoted their videos on her social media as well as sending along a great prize pack. According to Etana, more games are soon to come!
In addition, Etana will be featured on the upcoming Dub Rockers Compilation set for an August 24th release with VP Records and VANS. It’s a 10 track collaboration compilation album that sees Etana collaborating with The Aggrolites on the song “Complicated Girl” You can read more on this compilation album by clicking HERE!
Upcoming Shows:
Jul 10 @ Echoplex in Los Angeles, CA
Jul 11 @ The New Parish, Oakland, CA
Jul 12 @ World Beat Cultural Center, San Diego, CA
Jul 13 @ Irie Music Festival, Toronto, Canada
Jul 14 @ Moe’s Alley in Santa Cruz, CA
Jul 16 @ Las Vegas Country Saloon, Las Vegas, NV
Jul 18 @ Copper Club in Ogden, UT
Jul 19 @ Cervantes’ Other Side, Denver, CO
Jul 20 @ The Hailey Rodeo Park, Hailey, ID
Jul 21 @ Rocky Point Cantina, Tempe, AZ
Jul 24 @ Zebra Lounge, Bozeman, MT
Jul 26 @ Nectar Lounge, Seattle, WA
Jul 27 @ Northwest World Reggae Festival, Portland, OR
Aug 24 @ Austin Reggae Festival, Austin, TX
Sep 1 @ Summer Jam 2013, West Palm Beach, FL
Etana Links:
Website: http://www.etanathestrongone.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OneEtana
Twitter: http://twitter.com/etanastrongone
Article By: Erin Walsh
Watch: Etana – “Reggae” (Official Video)