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    the culturemap interview

    The Suffers celebrate highly anticipated new album with 3 hot Houston shows

    Johnston Farrow
    Johnston Farrow
    Jul 10, 2018 | 11:44 am
    The Suffers
    H-town's The Suffers perform at Houston Zoo's Feast with the Beasts on Friday, Nov. 1.
    Daniel Jackson

     UPDATE: Following the publication of, but not related to, this story, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner did indeed issue a proclamation on Tuesday, July 10, naming July 13 The Suffers Day in Houston — to coincide with the release of the new album.

     

    ---

     

    Mayor Turner, let’s make it official. It’s time to proclaim The Suffers as the biggest and best band from Houston.

     

    The eight-piece soul act celebrates the release of their excellent sophomore album, Everything Here, with two sold out shows at the Heights Theatre on July 12 and July 13, and an in-store performance at Cactus Music on July 14. It’s a big step up from their debut, self-titled album, the second being documentation of a band with the experience of two solid years of touring that definitively captures the essence of who they are as performers and musicians.

     

    “This is us growing as a unit,” says charismatic lead singer, Kam Franklin, over coffee in Midtown on a muggy afternoon. “Still all of us representing Houston, but taking what we’ve seen around the world, taking that back home to present this gift.”

     

    Anyone used to seeing The Suffers perform live is familiar with Franklin’s call-and-response habit of getting audiences to remember who her band is and where they are from, asking audiences to repeat the group’s name and their hometown a few times throughout the performance. It’s a habit she should be able to quit soon with the trajectory the group is on right now.

     

    “By saying we’re from Houston and saying it so incessantly, is that other bands in the scene can see that you don’t have to move, you can stay here,” says bassist Adam Castaneda. “I think it’s cool to rep your city and take that with you. You can say, ‘This is who I am; I’m from a huge, hot and humid city where it’s always raining, but I can do whatever I want to.”

     

    The Suffers are not only beloved by local fans and media, going so far as to be featured in a My Houston tourism ad that is played across the country. They are also adored nationwide. Since the release of their first album in early 2016, The Suffers played The Late Show with David Letterman (who loved them) and are finding themselves in the coveted big font on festival posters in Europe and South America. NPR is currently streaming Everything Here as part of its revered First Listen series.

     

    But to call The Suffers simply a soul band does them a disservice. They incorporate many sounds of each of the members’ previous bands and in turn, represent the diversity of Houston itself — R&B, ska, reggae, cumbia, bachata, and more into a potent, uplifting mix. This time around, they had the hours, money, and expertise to record the best possible versions of themselves on Everything Here, produced in The Heights at 226 Recordings and in Kingwood at Third Coast Recording Company over much of 2017.

     

    “I think it’s all still in there, maybe even more,” Castaneda says. “I think we’ve better learned how to make those flavors settle in, so it doesn’t stick out as much or it’s as easy to identify. I think we were able to figure out what makes a genre that genre and infuse it into the music easier so it’s a bit smoother and not as abrupt. It’s us growing as songwriters.”

     

    Asked for a list of influences the band had going into recording sessions, Franklin whips out her phone to find a list. And it’s a doozy: Barry White, Luther Vandross, Emily King and the Eisley Brothers, the Georgia Mass Choir, Al Green, The Doors, King Tubby, The Carpenters, Dawes, Darryl Hall and John Oates, Nina Simone, Fela Kuti, Juan Gabriel, Kanye West (808s and Heartbreak album), Solange, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, The Andrew Sisters, and Kendrick Lamar. Put those acts in a blender and you’ll get the tasty brew that is Everything Here.

     

    The album includes multiple guest stars, including local hip-hop artists Paul Wall and Bun B, and a variety of musicians. Standouts like “I Think I Love You,” “Do Whatever,” and “You Only Call,” with lyrics written by Franklin, are songs about self-respect and learning to build boundaries as a busy, world-travelling performer.

     

    “After the Storm” harkens back to Hurricane Harvey, about making intimate connections during a terrible situation. Album closer, “Won’t Be Here Tomorrow,” could be taken straight from Aretha Franklin’s songbook, a powerful torch song that is bigger than anything The Suffers have recorded before with layers of strings, backing vocals, and an amazing vocal turn by Franklin.

     

    “This album is a testament to self-love and loving those who love you,” Franklin says. “But at the same time, being OK saying I need my space, or saying, please don’t waste my time because we don’t have very much of it when we’re home. I’ve learned the hard way these last few tours is that I can’t spend my time with people that aren’t contributing to it, that don’t appreciate it.”

     

    Admittedly, the first album was done quickly and on a limited budget, bandmembers still working day jobs to get it out. The Suffers is now a full-time endeavor with a team of music industry professionals working to push them to even greater heights. It seems the sky is the limit.

     

    “Now or never is not a phrase in my vocabulary,” Franklin says. “I see it more as what can the band do to work harder so we can achieve these goals. We haven’t played the Hollywood Bowl yet. We haven’t played Red Rocks yet. We haven’t played Glastonbury yet. So now or never is not a conversation until we’ve headlined those places a few times.”

     

    ---

     

     The Suffers perform two album release shows at the Heights Theatre, located at 339 W 19th St., on Thursday, July 12 with The Tontons; and Friday, July 13 with Black Pumas. Both shows, which start at 7:30 pm, are sold out.

     

     The band will perform in store at Cactus Music at 1 pm on Saturday, July 14, located at 2110 Portsmouth St. Only those who pre-purchased the album at the store will be allowed admittance. Everything Here is available for pre-order/purchase at the band’s website.

     

    musicinterviewnightlifeconcerts
    news/entertainment

    hustle hard, H-town

    Oprah's TV network spotlights Houston women in new reality series

    Craig D. Lindsey
    Jul 15, 2025 | 5:30 pm
    Heart Hustle reality TV show
    Courtesy of OWN Network
    Rosea Pichardo.

    It looks like Houston will be home to a new reality series about successful women living their best life and trying not to get into huge fights with each other during brunch.

    Next month, Oprah Winfrey’s OWN channel will premiere Heart & Hustle: Houston, where a quintet of upwardly mobile, African American women thrive in Texas’ largest city.

    “Heart & Hustle: Houston brings a fresh, dynamic perspective — one that centers Black women not just in conflict, but in community, healing, and growth,” OWN President Tina Perry said in a press release. “It’s a powerful look at ambition, resilience, and the bonds that hold friendships together, even through life’s toughest moments.”


    Let’s break down the ladies who’ll be giving us the heart and the hustle:

    Alaina Saulsberry, 38 
    “H-Town’s Glam Girl” 
    Known for her beauty brand Color du Jour, Saulsberry is touted as a mentor who balances work with family commitments. After 15 years of marriage, the relationship is in a rough patch. Will she choose personal happiness or preserving stability for her two children?

    Heart Hustle reality TV show
      

    Courtesy of OWN Network

    Rosea Pichardo.

    Chloe Cook, 44
    “The Straight Shooter”
    Known as “THE premiere event planner of Houston,” Cook took a step back from the event business to take care of her young daughters after the tragic loss of her husband. However, the gal is getting her groove back thanks to her recent relationship with much younger man Jordan. Unfortunately, her eldest son Neiko (who is only three years younger than Jordan) isn’t feeling the whole May-December thing. Can Chloe balance being a mother and a MILF?

    La’Torria Lemon, 36
    “The Hopeless Romantic”
    The head of Lemon-Lime Light Media, entrepreneur/philanthropist Lemon has been called “a force in the entertainment, hospitality, and PR industry.” She’s a charming personality, but don’t get it twisted: She’s ready to bring the claws out whenever someone comes for her. After losing her father, Lemon is on the hunt for the love of her life, so she can settle down and have some kids. Can she find a good man just like dear old dad?

    LeBrina Jackson, 35
    “The Southern Belle”
    Full of “passion, drive, and compassion,” elite spa owner Jackson is one of the few Black women in the spa and wellness game. The resident caregiver of the group, Jackson is there for her family, friends, customers, etc. She uses her past (specifically, her family’s history) to break generational curses and build a better tomorrow for her peoples. Can she still take care of others, while also finding some time to take care of herself?

    Muneera Page, 43
    “Mrs. Perfect”
    Meet the big, bad momma of the crew: a devout wife, mother of four daughters (including a set of twins), and career woman whose journey “embodies the power of faith, resilience, and boundless ambition.” With a two-decade career as an electrical engineer in the oil and gas industry, Page has taken a career 180 and pivoted to content creation. Can she live a life of meaning, purpose and transformative impact, while also inspiring folks around the world?

    Roe Pichardo, 39
    “Nightlife Queen”
    Finally, we have the party girl. Pichardo is an entrepreneur, hospitality innovator, and cultural curator who’s “redefining the art of connection.” She’s got a rep as a major player in the restaurant and nightlife world (Editor’s note: She appeared on CultureMap’s “What’s Eric Eating” podcast during her time as the general manager of James Harden’s restaurant Thirteen). Despite staying tough in a male-dominated industry, those close to her know she’s a sweet, loving soul. Can she still take her businesses to the next level, while also learning to be more vulnerable around her loved ones?

    These questions and more will be answered when Heart & Hustle: Houston premieres on OWN on Saturday, August 2, at 8 pm.

    news/entertainment
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