Today we’d like to introduce you to Zipporah Richie.
Hi Zipporah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I’m a singer, musician, poet, and overall artist. I began singing at a young age and was introduced to writing through poetry. I began writing my own poems and songs and composing music around the age of 12. However, it wasn’t until I was getting ready to graduate high school that I decided to make being an artist my career. Since then, I’ve performed at some well-known venues around Dallas, such as the Free Man Cafe, Three Links, and other venues for both music and poetry. I’m a very intentional person, and the way that I approach music is through finding out how to connect to others via sound. My live performances are rooted in bringing back the intimacy that I feel has been a lost art in sharing your voice and music with a live audience.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Being an artist is not for the faint of heart or for those who aren’t advocates for themselves and their passions. When you’re doing the majority of the work on your own (the promoting, booking, funding, etc), it becomes a lot to juggle. At some point, I had at least one show I headlined every couple of weeks, and then there were months that went by where I only had features with other artists and no solo shows at all. Without having a consistent residency or venue booking, it can be discouraging, but I’m still pushing and developing new ways to show people the unique experience I present in my performances. There’s also the struggle with just trying to break into the music scene here in Dallas and the arts not being as supported as I feel they should be.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a vocalist, musician, and poet. I’m known for my voice and the way I weave together words in order to convey a story or song that becomes a balm for the soul. I believe what sets me apart from other artists is that I don’t just “do” music or poetry; it’s something that I am. I’m aware of the fact that sound & vibration either create, sustain, or destroy, and with that, we have the ability to heal, empower, and demand presence in a world that runs away from that. I remind people of their power, light, and freedom by getting on a stage and expressing my own. I try to connect with every audience I’m in front of. I bare my soul, and even when singing songs that aren’t mine, I still am able to make them feel like they are. My ability to listen and feel what I hear so deeply in order for me to follow that in how I perform a song is almost as if I can see the notes I want to sing. To sum this all up, I’m someone who is music, is in love with music, and loves how communal it is, and I just want to share that love with the world.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
I absolutely have. I’ve always been keen on being proactive about my health and being careful not to become mindless about it, but COVID really made me more cautious about being out in public a lot. I’m also not just responsible for my health, as I’m a caretaker for my mom, so I have to be extra intentional for her sake as well. The most important lessons for me were to make sure I’m on top of preventative measures, not exhausting myself from working, and not interact with everyone after a show.
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