The ladies of THEESatisfaction know how to cut a goddamn rug.
At last night’s Neumos release show for the local galactic songstresses new album EarthEE, they shook what their mama’s gave them so well, people were screaming their names and repeatedly thanking them from the crowd.
“Uh, you’re welcome,” Stasia Irons told the gracious fans before someone from the audience passed the duo a huge joint. “Damn, I guess this is how Seattle shows its love,” Cat Harris-White grinned.
But seriously, the way THEESatisfaction sync up their dance moves is mesmerizing. Even their DJ, Mursi Layne, knew all the cues, shimmying at all the exact right times in perfect alignment with the duo up front.
The San tribe native to South Africa practice a spiritual form of “healing dance” for its ill tribespeople, which they believe can put them in touch with spirits who can transform the living for the better. THEESatisfaction’s dancing felt healing in its own right, especially coupled with EarthEE’s deep messages on decolonization, environmental rejuvenation, and human progress in the face of destructive capitalism. I witnessed people in the audience observing Cat and Stas’ dances become lighter and lighter as the night went on, smiling and moving along with the two when before they had stood resolute and still.
Earlier in the day, I met up with JusMoni for an article I’m working on—an amazing performer who came up in the community singing at the Central District’s now defunct Hidmo restaurant alongside THEESatisfaction. The two played their first shows together. She calls the Black Constellation collective of Seattle artists including THEESatisfaction, Shabazz Palaces, Maikoiyo Alley-Barnes, Porter Ray and countless others, “family,” many of whom mobbed the stage at the end of the Neumos show for an inspiring group finale. During our earlier interview, I asked JusMoni about the Black Constellation’s seeming obsession with all things “future,” and what the crew’s internal conversations on the matter are like.”Well, I think that we understand that we are beings both from the past and the future” JusMoni said, “so I mean, we are all linked to indigenous folks. As a black American, since we’re so disconnected from Africa, you kind of have to search really deep for that ancestral guidance. I think our ancestors, the future, and outer space are all connected, and all important for the healing that needs to be done.”
Check out EarthEE from Sub Pop Records here.
