Gulf Coast Soul

It often feels like the soul and funk sound of the 1970s is making a comeback these days, though Kam Franklin doesn’t quite buy it. “It kind of makes me laugh a little bit when people say there’s been a revival,” explains Franklin, the captivating frontwoman for Houston-based “Gulf Coast Soul” ensemble The Suffers. “To me, that’s just a part of who I am. I don’t feel like it ever really went away.” The Suffers are undeniably on the rise, and they made their national television debut on The Late Show with David Letterman this past March. (Weeks before his final show, Letterman gushed, “If you can’t do this, get out of the business.”) The 10-piece group have built a name for themselves with a smooth blend of soul, R&B, rock and a little bit of Afrobeat, wrangling in new fans with every show they play. The Suffers’ appeal lies in their layered rhythms, which provide the perfect backing for Franklin’s sultry voice and indelible stage presence. It’s a winning combination that can’t help but pull you in. It’s also one that you’ll be hearing a lot more about soon enough—the band is in the midst of a lengthy summer tour that is taking them to festivals ranging from Pemberton to Newport Folk.