Check out Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra, Camille Sledge Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra (PAO) Camille Sledge (vocalist).

Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra (PAO), we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Afrobeat music has a story of its own. We are the storytellers. When power and struggle clash, afrobeat music has been the voice of the people who fall victim to these struggles. As the only band in the Phoenix area that specializes in this genre, PAO has become a message and a statement to its residents. We all have one thing in common in this group. We do not stand idle to injustice and hatred. Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra was formed from a group of people who see that hatred can be diminished, and we all agree to try to use music as our weapon to diminish it.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
PAO is a movement. We would like to make sure that certain things are not kept quiet. As artists, it is our responsibility to make known the types of political and societal spectrums we live within. There are certain people who hold a “microphone” and there is a responsibility that comes with that holding. If it is in our hands right now, we want to make the best effort to confront serious issues, while we still can. I believe this is every artists’ responsibility. I hope our music will begin a conversation about many of the important things we discuss in our songs.

What do you know now that you wished you had learned earlier?
I think my biggest lesson was to be myself throughout every musical project. Have a sense of who you are, and stay with that, even if it evolves over time. You have never been a copy. Remain the original and maintain your own sound no matter the cost or the popular demand at the time. -Camille Sledge (lead singer of PAO)

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
We are on all social media outlets, also iTunes, Spotify, bandsintown, Instagram, etc… but to google us is probably the easiest way to find us. Otherwise, all outlets are listed on our website and can be easily linked in to. www.phoenixafrobeatorchestra.com We play shows all over the West coast and are ready to go to the East coast and the world beyond.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.phoenixafrobeatorchestra.com
• Email: phoenixafrobeatorchestra@gmail.com
• Instagram: @paoafrobeat
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PAOPhoenixAfrobeatOrchestra/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/PAOAfrobeat
• Other: https://www.bandsintown.com/a/7060903?came_from=203

Image Credit:
Melissa Waddell, Matty Steincamp, Elaine Thomas Campbell, Andy Boyle, Reg Madison, Lee Lusby.

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