For many female musicians in the Charleston scene, music is not a means to an end — it’s a way of life.
And local female musicians make a point to encourage and support their fellow women in the craft, which is why the ladies (and musicians) behind Ohm Radio 96.3 are partnering with Feminist Magic Market and Commonhouse Aleworks in Park Circle to present an all-female musician showcase that takes place from noon to 3 p.m. on Sept. 23.
The lineup features singer-songwriters Maya Morrill, Harlem Farr and LaFaye Benton, who perform everything from rock, folk and R&B to funk and pop. The market begins at 11 a.m. with more than 90 vendors.
Morrill has been a chef in Charleston for more than 10 years and has been singing most of that time on various stages, around the campfire or at her friend’s weddings, she said. This showcase is a chance to share her voice in a more intentional space.
“I’m doing this for fun because I really enjoy it,” Morrill told the Charleston City Paper. “And I want to share my story. I want to share my songs. Performing is a way for me to create experiences where people get to spend time with friends and meet new people.”
Farr’s solo project Hrlum evokes a cosmic dreaminess and fuses her love of world music with a synth-pop sensibility. She’s been a backing vocalist in the Charleston alt-funk band Pyscodelics since 2021, and this showcase is a chance for her to take center stage.
“I’m tapping into all parts — I’ve been a theater person my whole life, and I’m naturally into words, so I’m going to be doing some poetry,” Farr said. “My setup is going to be guitar-heavy, and I’ve also been getting into looping these days.”
LaFaye is a dynamic performer who is regularly seen on stages around Charleston with her ensemble LaFaye & the Fellas bringing a music experience that she describes as “rock soul.” She did a five-year stint as a vocalist in the Army before she made the move to Charleston in 2020, which honed her ability to engage listeners and create feel-good experiences.
“When it comes to my band, I’m able to do more than stand behind a microphone and sing,” she said in a previous interview with City Paper. “You’re going to get a very interactive it’s-just-me-and-you kind of thing.”
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