B-52s singer and keyboardist Kate Pierson, who lives part-time in Truro, will perform music from her upcoming solo album, “Radios & Rainbows,” on Wednesday, August 21, at the Wequassett Resort & Golf Club in Harwich.
The 8:30 p.m. concert is free and open to the public and is part of the Cape Cod Jazz Festival.
“I’m in Truro now rehearsing before the show,” Pierson wrote in an email interview with the Cape Cod Times.
She will play in Wequassett with Tracy Wormworth and Ken Maiuri, who also plays with the B-52s.
Radios & Rainbows is Pierson’s second solo album and features several collaborations, including “Every Day is Halloween” with Australian singer and songwriter Sia. The album will be released on September 20th.
Pierson is the founder of the indie rock band The B-52’s (the band dropped the apostrophe in 2008), which has released more than a dozen albums since its first album, “Live Studio Jam: An FM Radio Broadcast,” in 1978. Best known for “Love Shack,” “Rock Lobster” and other cult hits, The B-52’s released six studio albums from 1979 to 2008.
The original group included Pierson, Fred Schneider, Keith Strickland, Cindy Wilson and Ricky Wilson. Ricky Wilson died in 1985 and Strickland has stopped touring, but the other three original members still record together.
7 questions for the B-52 answered by Kate Pierson of the Cape Cod Times:
- When did you move to Cape Cod and why? Did you spend much time on Cape Cod before? Do you have any favorite places – beaches, clubs, restaurants – on the Cape?
(Pierson and her wife bought a home in Truro in 2021)
Having a second home on the Cape has changed my life. My wife Monica used to come here as a kid and always told me how much she loved it. Our second home is in the Catskill Mountains in New York, so having the ocean and the mountains is awesome. I love Truro for its quiet, beautiful stretches of beach. I love swimming with the sharks in the ocean (Pierson highlighted the latter in her response). I love the seafood restaurants, markets, and farmers markets. We have a garden here too, so you can eat well! And it’s always fun to drive to Provincetown to see a great drag show or music. And my favorite radio station is the amazing WOMR.
- I noticed you’ve made some YouTube videos this year. Can you talk about your current tour and your latest music?
In collaboration with my record label, we have released two singles so far – “Every Day is Halloween” and “Evil Love” – as well as two videos. The Cape Cod Jazz and Arts Festival (in Wequassett) will be the premiere of my new songs, and I hope to do many more live shows!
- What music can we expect in Wequassett?
I will be playing some of my new songs as well as some of my favorite songs and hits. And a few from my previous solo album “Guitars and Microphones.”
- Is your wife also a musician? I noticed that you wrote “Radio in Bed” together. Do you have pets? Hobbies? What is a perfect day for you?
My wife Monica and I have a German Shepherd named Loki. We both love gardening and we make music together. She plays guitar. She is also a potter and silversmith. A perfect day consists of walking with Loki, making music and diving in the sea.
- It’s been 45 years since your first album. Are there things you’ve learned over time that you’d like to share with us?
Sure, practice writing and stick with it. And write songs that come from the heart. Try to be creative in everything you do and try to bring joy to people with your music.
- Is there an adventure ahead after this new album?
I’m already thinking about the next album. I think it’s going to be a country record.
- How would you describe your musical style and do you have any observations about today’s music business?
I would say my music is indie pop. The music business is very different than it was when we started. I’m glad that the mothership, The B-52s, is still together, still playing and able to put out solo albums.
The good thing is that streaming allows anyone to listen to any genre of music. And I still love independent radio stations – they constantly alert me to new music!
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