What do you get when put together a drummer and a poet? You get BOOMscat. This local duo, comprised of Patience “Scat” Rowe and Asha “BOOM” Santee, was founded in December 2012. Rowe is a vocalist and songwriter and Santee, like Rowe, is a vocalist and songwriter, as well as a keyboardist and percussionist.
BOOMscat is no stranger to the stage. Just this year, they performed in Austin, TX for the SXSW Music Festival, and can be found performing in the D.C. area at Busboys and Poets, the Honey Groove Festival, and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, to name a few.
“We do this music full-time. We have made tremendous sacrifices for our work and we aren’t just here to put out a few songs and dip,” explains the duo. “We are here to make music that can be used as a tool for the everyday person.”
Tagg spoke with BOOMscat to talk about their love for music and artistry.
How would you describe your music?
We call ourselves the Peace and Bodyroll Duo BOOMscat—like a Pimp Named Slickback, you have to say the whole thing—because our work is extremely peaceful and it makes you want to do Bodyroll in the middle of your living room floor.
Where is your favorite place to perform?
I think our favorite place to perform might be in folks’ living rooms. We have a really great time creating intimate settings that feel like home, for us and for everyone else.
Do you consider yourselves a queer musicians?
Besides the fact that we are both queer, the music that we make is universal and touches folks in ways that transcend just our identity. I think we honor our queerness in our music deeply, but we also honor the universal principles of peace, love, and meditation.
Why is it important to acknowledge and support queer artists?
Visibility in every community is so very important. Having folks who look like you, write about, and speak directly to you is beautiful and necessary.
Who or what inspires you?
Patience: I am really inspired by African Spirituality and Afro Futurism, the sounds that I make are always inspired by what is “other”. I love Rachelle Ferrell, Ledisi, Chantae Cann, Jill Scott, and Bilal.
Asha: Little kids that do amazing things inspire me. Musically, I am inspired by emotion and love. Some artists that make me feel that are Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Marvin Gaye, and Earth Wind and Fire.
Do you ever collaborate with other musicians and bands?
Recently BOOMscat has been playing with a band. For the past few years, we have really taken our time with who to collaborate with because our sound is extremely special to us. We know a lot of musicians that are very talented. Finding that person who knows their place within our music is important and ultimately helps us decide who to go with for a show.
What can people expect when coming to your shows?
People can expect to feel sexy and at peace. We like to have a lot of fun at our shows. We joke with one another every set and like to have fun with the audience. Folks can definitely expect to hear something new and refreshing for their music libraries.
Where do you see yourselves in 2-3 years?
We see ourselves at The Grammys. On international tours, and continuing to put out quality music.
How can people find out more about you?
People can stay abreast with where we’ll be and what we’re doing by following us on all the social media outlets @BOOMscatmusic, @BOOMscat on Twitter, or by heading to BOOMscat.com.
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