“Music speaks to everyone”: ktru hosts new Brown Garden Sounds event

By Lily Harvey     10/29/24 11:14pm

ktru hosted “Brown Garden Sounds,” a show highlighting artists of color, for the first time on Friday, Oct. 18. 

Andrew Ondara, a Jones College senior, said he had the idea for the event in August. At ktru, some students run specialty shows where they explore music following a certain theme or topic. Ondara took inspiration for the event from his own specialty show, “Black By Popular Demand”, which he started as a freshman.

“Andrew was like, ‘I want to do something under the umbrella of my specialty show, something that specifically highlights the work of Black local Houston artists.’ We thought that was a really cool idea,” Imogen Brown, the station manager at ktru, said.

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The event featured R&B artists Lauryn Harris, Ejay Mallard and Sion. Ondara said he drew from concerts he has attended and music he listens to when finding guests to invite.

“We have these spaces on campus, and I thought, ‘Why can’t we make use of them? So I reached out to artists’ whose concerts I had gone to, people that I had in the back of my head like, ‘Hey, do you want to come perform at Rice,’ and they were very receptive,” said Ondara.

In an interview with the Thresher before the show, artist Harris said she was excited to perform. 

“I’m excited to connect with the audience, share some of my stories through song and hear the other artists,” said Harris.

While Harris began making music at age 17, she said she has known she wanted to be a singer since age four. The artist kicked off the night with the first performance, featuring songs from her recent EP “PRIMA DIVA.” 

Ejay Mallard was the next artist to take to the stage. Before the show, Mallard said he appreciated the show’s comfortable environment in an interview with the Thresher.

“It was a no-brainer for me when Andrew reached out … I love those very close-knit, well-grouped community performances,” said Mallard. “So when I saw the space and everything, I was like, ‘Oh yeah, this is my kind of vibe.’ I love this … It feels like you’re performing in your living room.” 

Mallard began with a cover of “Snooze” by SZA. The song highlighted Mallard’s range and soft voice. He then played songs from his recent album, “WHEN A BLACK MAN GETS VULNERABLE.”  According to Mallard, his authenticity is the most important quality of his music.

“If I could describe it in one word, I would say heartfelt. It’s very vulnerable, very authentic, very passionate,” said Mallard. “I like to tell my truth, tell my story, and live vicariously through others. I feel like once you’re so honest and so open about things that you talk about, others are also going through the same things sometimes, so it makes it easy for them to relate to the music you’re putting out.”

One of Mallard’s favorite parts about being an artist is performing, he said.

“It feels like I’m in a playground or a sandbox. Like I feel like a kid again,” said Mallard. It’s not just like, oh, he’s going up there to perform. It’s like, this guy is really into this and you can see it.” 

After Mallard, neo-soul and R&B artist Sion took the stage in a witchy outfit, and sang a cover of “Ghost Town” by Kanye West and PARTYNEXTDOOR. 

“There’s nothing like making music. Music is, I think, the most beautiful, most powerful magical thing in the world,” said Sion in an interview with the Thresher. “There’s a reason why it’s been around for centuries, because no matter who you are or where you’re from or what you look like, music speaks to everyone.”

Sion also sang her original music, including her song “Ivory”, which she told the audience was about missing someone from your past. According to Sion, the audience’s reactions to the performance were especially impactful for her.

“I sing with my eyes closed a lot, but opening my eyes and seeing different students and people vibing and dancing with each other and having a good time, that means so much to me,” said Sion. “Sharing what I love and having y’all hear me and be in my energy and this space was so beautiful.”

Hanszen College freshman Alivia Afable said she was glad she attended..

“I’ve never really been to anything like this before, but I’m glad that I went to experience this,” Afable said. “I think I found some new artists that I’m going to incorporate into my music taste.” 

After the show, Sion emphasized the value of local music shows like Brown Garden Sounds. 

“It’s so important for people in general to hear local music and support local art, but specifically going to a college is great because y’all are younger and impressionable,” Sion said. “I loved getting to come here and share this experience and our voices, and show y’all that anybody can really pursue anything they want.”

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