My Answer To Only Country Music Comes From Oklahoma: 10 Songs That Prove Oklahoma’s Relevance to the Modern Music Scene
And Tulsa is the heartbeat of the Oklahoma music scene
Thanks go to the motley music crew participating in the state songs 2022 music challenge. Thanks to Paul Combs and Eric Pierce for inspiring me to participate in introducing our home state stomping grounds through song.
Would you believe Tulsa, Oklahoma, has a vibrant music scene? When you think of Oklahoma musicians, I bet Woody Guthrie pops into your mind first. And, why not? He’s an integral piece of Oklahoma history. Thank god the “This Land is Your Land” singer is from my home state, which is so red you’d think we’re all conservative gun-toting libertarian/republican conspiracy theorists hailing from the 1950s.
We’re not.
I created these requirements to introduce y’all to my home state's music:
- 10 songs
- Living musicians
- Born or lived in Oklahoma for a good chunk o’ their life
- No country! Y’all can go find Garth, Vince, Reba, and Toby.
- List the musician/band and use one song as a window into their portfolio
I’ve struggled with how to order this list. So they aren’t ranked; they’re in an intuitive order. Check out my Oklahoma Surprise Spotify playlist at the end of this article for an enhanced listening experience.
Kaylyn Fay has a voice like honeydew and wild-foraged passionfruit with the scent of Oklahoma dirt mingling with an oncoming and gentle thunderstorm.
My husband found Kaylyn Fay over the past couple of years. First, I fell in love with her song “Tulsa.” Now, I’m kinda falling in love with her. She’s a badass, beautiful, indigenous Cherokee from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Fay’s voice has a depth and grit that is Oklahoma.
When I consider how to describe Fay’s music, I come up with: memoir as song.
“Tulsa” resonates with me as a Norman-born Oklahoman who now calls Tulsa home. There’s a pull to and away from Tulsa that Fay nails in this song. She’s also a visual artist.
Annie Ellicott
Oklahoma produced Jazz musicians Charlie Christian, Chet Baker, and J.J. Cale who had a great impact on Eric Clapton’s career with songs like “Cocaine” and “After Midnight,” which Cale wrote.
It’s said Count Basie was influenced by the Tulsa jazz music scene:
In 1928, Basie’s touring schedule took him to Tulsa, Okla. where one morning he was awakened by a local band called the Blue Devils, led by bassist Walter Page. Their bluesy sound captivated him and, a few months later, vocalist Jimmy Rushing invited Basie to sit in with the band. It proved a transformative experience, and Basie began to incorporate the blues-based styles he heard into his own playing. (Source)
Annie Ellicott is another jazz musician from Tulsa, Oklahoma. She’s played with Jeff Goldblum (yes, the actor) and all across the world. I wouldn’t be surprised if she is huge on the jazz scene at some point in the future. For now, get acquainted with the surprisingly soulful voice emanating from Ellicott. She’s sure to shock you with her fierce passion.
When you watch Ellicott’s “Blue Skies” in-studio performance, you’ll hear what I mean.
Go to a Steve Liddell show when you’re in the mood for reggae. You’ll likely find yourself smiling a lot. It’s groovy, happy, and chill, as in “Goodlove,” from the album of the same name. In his own description, Liddell draws on Blues, Jazz, Americana/Roots, Folk, and Rock. He’s toured all over the world but seems to be playing solely locally at the moment.
Liddell’s music lights me up when I cross his path, like a few summers ago when he was playing at the Tulsa Farmer’s Market, and I stopped in my tracks to soak in the summer groove vibe.
Texas-born turned Tulsan at age 10 to present, John Moreland made it to The Rolling Stone when Miranda Lambert fell for his way with words. Paul Combs that Stones writer compares Moreland’s voice to Bruce Springsteen.
Moreland is Roots and rasp and words and man, I love this guy.
My husband and I got to see Tulsan John Moreland perform at Cain’s Ballroom a few years ago (I guess more now!). There’s something about “Hang Me In The Tulsa County Stars” that gets me every time. The synth sounding organ that transitions to a quiet Roots song is almost a sorrowful lullaby. I love melancholy from time to time. I think this song nails melancholy.
As I compile this list to share with you all, I realize one thing Oklahoma musicians have in common: soul.
Passion, soul, grit, and red dirt.
Another favorite song is “Big Bad Luv, " the title song from the album of the same name.
“Cherokee” resonates. Moreland, like many Oklahomans, has Cherokee roots, and in an interview with GQ, he explained that the song “Cherokee” grapples with the feeling of loss. My husband and children are very diluted Cherokee. For me, this song hits. I want to know more about their heritage, and there's not a whole lot of information to go off of. It sounds like this song hits for many indigenous people.
Click his name above to see a complete listing of tour dates for Moreland’s new album Birds In The Ceiling, which will be released July 22, 2022. The song “Claim Your Prize” debunks the “American Dream.”
Why am I throwing the “MMMBop” boy band from the 1990s in the mix? Well, Sarah Paris loves this song. And they happen to still live in Tulsa. They are advocates in the Tulsa community. Taylor Hanson founded Food on the Move to address hunger, which is a huge issue in Oklahoma.
They also throw a local annual festival, briefly disrupted by COVID19, called Hop Jam. I learned about this from a former supervisor who grew up in Tulsa around the time the Hansons did. She loved and loves the band.
Hanson’s sound has changed over the years. If you’d like to hear their grownup music, check out this Tiny Desk concert from 2018 featuring both new and old songs.
I love singing “Gives You Hell” at the top of my lungs. This is probably the most mainstream popular, and “big” band on my list, but they’re not my Oklahoma favorite.
The band formed in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1999 and frontman Tyson Ritter was born and raised there.
Still, this is a peppy-rage breakup song. It makes me cheery when going down memory lane of relationship regret. To me, it’s tongue-in-cheek. I don’t wish hell on anyone, but yay for toxic relationship catharsis.
Did you know the Flaming Lips hail from the Oklahoma City area? Or that they made human-sized “bubble pods” so they could continue performing throughout the coronavirus pandemic?
The band came together in OKC in the early 1980s and continues to evolve with their experimental music.
My daughter and I are attending a screening this weekend at our local indie cinema of the Lips' upcoming documentary on the bubble pod experience.
The Flaming Lips are a little intense for my personal music taste, but I love their commercial hit “She Don’t Use Jelly.” They also have quite a large and loyal following.
Genre? Well, The New York Times calls them psych rock.
Oh, you can catch them in Galway, Ireland July 22, 2022, if you happen to be there.
They’re also in The Rolling Stone. “Look ma, I made it!”— me imagining frontman Wayne Coyne when he found out they’d be in this rag.
Branjae is the birth child of Classic Soul, Funk and R&B. (Source)
Branjae is hard to describe. She does her own thing. She’s a skilled musician and performance artist. To check out her social commentary, look at her video for “Free Facts.”
She was born in Detroit but calls Tulsa home. On her website, she refers to her hometown where she was born as the Home of Motown, and her current and longterm digs in Tulsa as the Home of R&B The Gap Band.
Branjae’s fearless and energetic showcase, encourages elevated consciousness by connecting with her audiences for the soul purpose of creating unity and harmony. (Source)
Branjae has played SXSW and won multiple local awards. She’s been on cool collaborations. “Your Land” is a collab with Gangstagrass that made the Billboard top 100 and was featured in The Rolling Stone.
Branjae is a social justice advocate. “Street Light” celebrates survivors of abuse.
My husband and daughter went to local venue The Vanguard to catch a Wilderado show. I’d planned on going, but long covid was still wreaking havoc on my legs. That makes seeing shows hard. I was told the strobe lights that went with different might’ve been too much for me. My daughter loved it, though.
My favorite Wilderado song is “Stranger,” but I can’t find a video for it. In a word, it’s catchy. Get ready to sing along while grinning big.
“Surefire” is a close second.
To hear “Stranger,” check out my enhanced Spotify list. Listening to “Stranger” earlier today made me so happy and lovestruck. If “Gives You Hell” is the best breakup song, then “Stranger” is one of the best lost love songs.
I use the words “best” and “love” a lot, in case you’re wondering.
LA gets a callout in the lyrics for “Stranger.” I swear there’s a weird Tulsa-LA connection. Anyone, anyone? Hogan Torah Sarene B. Arias Sarah Paris
Friends and fans in Japan and Canada can catch St. Vincent performing live shows this summer. Check for fall dates in the United States.
Born in Tulsa, raised there until 7, and then moved to Dallas, although I see some sources pegging her as Texas-Born. I’m going with my research which states she was born in Tulsa.
Oh, she’s a Grammy winner, too.
It’s a loose connection, but damn, it’s a cool connection. And, if you are feeling the ferocity of women enraged and want a way to express our passion, anger, and agency, check out St. Vincent’s work. A prime example is “Los Ageless,” as seen below. One of her lyrics calls out unwritten memoirs. I’m here for it.
Her newest album, released in 2021, is called Daddy’s Home.
Did you learn something new about the Oklahoma music scene?
I did.
I’m impressed with our range and diversity. I’m glad to have found indigenous artists in the past several years. I love the experimental music. The emphasis on the power of creativity. How most of these artists glide from art through music to art in other areas of their lives.
Yes, I still listen to Garth Brooks from time to time, but the country genre isn’t my favorite. And, there’s plenty to choose from that’s not country when you’re in Oklahoma.
Do you have any favorites on this list? Are there Okies you wish I’d included? Let me know in the comments.
If you trek to Oklahoma, put local music on your list of things to do. Then, drop by the Woody Guthrie Center and Bob Dylan Archives in downtown Oklahoma. There’s more to do after that, so maybe just message me when you get here. :)
Tagging a few folks who I think will enjoy this challenge if you have the time/interest: Gentry Bronson Danielle Loewen Nia Simone McLeod Tre L. Loadholt Sarah Paris Chris Zappa Pierce McIntyre and Rob Janicke still wanting you to visit the Tulsa music scene!
