Rising star musician/producer REDWOOD drops new single, ‘Justcuz’
![](http://blackdoorventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/REDWOOD-profile-photo-1024x1024.jpg)
WASHINGTON – A rising star musician/producer has dropped a new single under her new stage name. “Justcuz,” by REDWOOD, is now available everywhere.
“When people hear Justcuz, I’m sure they’ll think it’s a love-song kind of vibe,” says the 21-year-old DC native with a growing reputation in Detroit. “But it’s really a song I wrote about creating and being an artist. The groove is really different. It’s going to spark people’s attention.”
The name change follows the 2019 release of her self-produced debut EP, “Sempervirens.” She decided to go by REDWOOD, a childhood nickname, “because of the way my artistry has begun to emerge and evolve.
“It also indicates a return to myself, as the process of growing up can often lead us away from our authentic personalities, interests and dreams,” she says. “REDWOOD is who I’ve always been, but now I’m just choosing to fully be the authentic me and accept all of those things.”
She has experienced quite the musical journey since graduating from Duke Ellington School of the Arts and arriving at Michigan State University in 2017. Most recently she was featured in a live NPR Christmas performance at the Kennedy Center with legends Cory Henry and Kenny Barron. Prior to that, she won a nationwide contest to perform with popular R&B band The Internet on their tour stop in Detroit. Along the way, she has shared the stage with luminaries like Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, Terell Stafford and DeeDee Bridgewater.
Regarding “Justcuz,” she says “I want my music’s sound to be determined by the listener. But you can hear the go-go influence, a DMV-type of feel. It’s very laid back.” Among her musical influences are Flwr Chyld, Terrace Martin, Liv.e, KeiyA, and Iman Omari. “These artists are really pushing the envelope genre-wise,” she says. “They have music you can’t really classify.”
Although she’s a Class of 2021 Jazz Studies major, REDWOOD doesn’t want to be boxed in, either. Her musical taste has developed from a flavorful recipe of funk, soul, gospel, R&B, hip-hop, and pop … in addition to jazz. “My music is all about soulfulness,” she says. “Not just sounding good. But feeling good. It’s really intangible. Indescribable.”
###
Click here to hear Justcuz; Contact Deron Snyder (deron@blackdoorventures.com) to arrange an interview with REDWOOD
Follow @redwoodsounds to keep up with her on Instagram/Twitter/Facebook. Click here for YouTube.