Charleston songwriter to perform at local restaurant
Blending folk music with some soul, a Charleston-based artist is making her way to Columbia.
Tonight at Hunter-Gatherer Brewery, soul/folk singer and musician Livy Conner will play her original songs. Conner recently released her first album, “Mind of Your Own,” which she will be playing songs from tonight.
While some of the songs on the album are more recent, Conner explained that some of them were written years ago.
“One of the things I like about it is that I didn’t rush it at all; I took my time. The album is basically a compilation of songs written over the past five years that have stood the test of time and are meaningful,” she said.
Conner has jump-started her career with her multiple talents — not only a songwriter, but a vocalist, guitar player and piano player, too. Although she devotes her career to utilizing her many musical talents, her inspiration lies in singing, she said.
“Always for as long as I can remember, I have loved to sing,” she said. “I would say that was the seed.”
If singing planted her love for music, Conner’s passion grew her sophomore year at College of Charleston, when she learned how to play the guitar. But it all came together when she began singing and writing music while living in Portland, Ore., after college.
Conner puts her talents to good use with the band The Kitambi Collection, where she performs with Will McKay, Bandi Tomaschek and Marshall Hudson.
Their fall tour kicks off with the first stop in Columbia tonight. From there, the band will perform in several states before ending the tour in Cleveland.
While Conner has had plenty of experience playing locally, this is her first tour. She explained that for the future, she knows she will play wherever she lives but wants to expand to other areas, too.
“I know that I will love to keep growing and keep traveling, but I also want to keep playing at home,” she said.
Music starts at 8 p.m. tonight at Hunter-Gatherer, and tickets are $5. Conner and The Kitambi Collection will headline the show; Rachel Kate and T.C. Costello will also perform.