Let Freedom Sing ends ‘Brokenhearted’
Members of the group Karmin performed at Freedom Crossing Aug. 30 ending the “Let Freedm Sing” Summer Concert Series. Photo by Clarence Giles, Monitor Staff.
Marcie C. Wright,
Monitor Staff:
Fort Bliss ended its “Let Freedom Sing” Summer Concert Series at Freedom Crossing with a headlining performance by Karmin, one of the newest pop music bands, Aug. 30 at the hearth.
The group first began by doing cover songs and posting them to YouTube, then they released a few originals. Now they can be heard on many pop music outlets. They are presently vying for a spot on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine through an online poll. The two lead musicians, Amy and Nick, seem to have what it takes to impress fans and “blow” out of control with their vocals and hipster dress.
Karmin makes music that skips over several genres, ending where hip-hop meets rock, with a style that boasts strong vocals, a sharp tongue for rapping, keyboards, and drums and guitars of Michael Jackson flare. Before writing original hits, the band was most popularized for their remake of “Look at Me Now,” by Chris Brown and Busta Rhymes.
“Ever since then, I’ve been following them,” said Kelli Kelley, a 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, spouse. “I was hooked. I love the hip-hop and rap.
“She is an amazing singer,” continued Kelley.
Growing up singing in the choir, Kelley said she was drawn in by Amy’s voice, but what was most impressive “is how they take the covers and they make it their own.”
“Just one year ago, we were in a little apartment in Boston making videos of cover songs, and we put them on YouTube,” said Amy. “Now we are living our dream.”
In addition to their well-known covers, the group also performed original releases “Hello,” “I Told You So” and “I’m Just Sayin’.”
While on the microphone, Amy referred to her followers as “Karminites” and said she appreciated the group’s military followship.
Amy of the new pop group Karmin performs onstage at Freedom Crossing Aug. 30. Photo by Clarence Giles, Monitor Staff.
“This is our first performance on military grounds,” said Amy.
She admitted her surprise to find that Karmin had several fans who were deployed military members. In fact, it was them who inspired the song “Coming Up Strong.”
“Thank you guys,” said Nick. “You’re the reason the U.S. is the U.S.”
“We love you,” shouted someone in the audience.
“We love you guys twice as much as you love us,” said Nick.
They then performed “Coming Up Strong,” which featured the lyrics “Why are you crying?/ It’s okay now/ If I hold you/ Will you calm down?”
Shortly after their set, Fort Bliss Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Phillip D. Pandy presented the two leads with a coin and the key to Fort Bliss.
“You come to Fort Bliss as a friend, but you leave here as family,” said Pandy.
Amy said she was overwhelmed by the presentation, but pulled her emotions back to perform their final song of the evening, billboard smash hit “Brokenhearted.”
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