One of the highlights of 2020 here at SoulTracks was the emergence of talented new soul music artists who brightened an otherwise tough year. And among those happy discoveries for us was singer and songwriter Acantha Lang.
The New Orleans raised, London-based performer won us over with her wonderful rousing live performance of her slyly provocative song, “He Said, She Said.” And SoulTrackers responded just as enthusiastically. So how do you follow that auspicious introduction? Well, first with a very well received series of acoustic video performances of soul classics, entitled “Standing on the Shoulders…” And then with a second powerful single, a down home, soulful ballad about a special woman. “Lois Lang” is a southern soul, heartfelt song about Acantha’s mother, and her life in Louisiana.
The song opens with Memphis-style horns and rhythm, and a soft, soulful vibe that shows Lang’s versatility. The number tells a loving story of the “Creole Queen, born down in New Orleans” that was Lois Lang, the life she led, and the things she saw during tumultuous times.
Acantha tells us: “My momma’s name ‘Lois Lang’ always reminded me of the name of Superman’s love interest ‘Lois Lane’. It struck me one day that my momma never had a Superman in her life – my father left when I was a little girl – hence the opening line: ‘Her name is Lois Lang, but she ain’t have no Superman.’ My momma stayed strong and raised me and my three siblings without any help and I felt compelled to write this song as a tribute to her.”
We are proud to make “Lois Lang” our newest Song of the Month for February. Check it out below and welcome this exciting performer back to SoulTracks. You can also follow her on Instagram and YouTube for some upcoming live streams, starting with this one on Thursday, February 11th.
Song of the Month
Acantha Lang – “Lois Lang”
