Soulstice Seventh creates genre-busting music

One of the most exciting new bands to emerge from western North Carolina in recent years is Winston-Salem’s Soulstice Seventh.

While the band might have “soul” in its name, it also has elements of jazz, folk, country, rhythm and blues, funk and other genres of music in its repertoire.

The musicians of Soulstice Seventh also like to tip their hat to ambient musical techniques that lend their live music a more full and original sound.

Soulstice Seventh will perform a free concert at Canyons of the Blue Ridge in Blowing Rock on Friday, Oct. 21. The music begins at 9 p.m.

The band features Raheem McRae on lead vocals, Devin Bridgers on backing vocals, Ian McIntosh on background vocals, Robby Carr on guitar, Chuck DuBose on keyboards, Darrick Saincine on bass and Ernest Dandrige on drums and percussion.

“In many cultures, the solstice, often the time when seasons melt into one another, is observed as a time of significant change,” McRae said. “The term, ‘soul,’ refers to an essence in the medium; it is sensitive, receptive, fluid, unscripted and unrehearsed; it is an organic spiritual approach to creatively interpret music. The combination of these two terms incarnates the essence of Soulstice Seventh’s musical approach. It is a fresh re-imagining of soul music that still maintains the use of trustworthy musical elements that have influenced our culture.”