After being together for a mere year and a half, former De Anza student Lily Tran and her band, Soulful Obsession, have come a long way.
The band performed for more than 400 people at a release show for their self-titled debut album at the Milano Night Club in downtown San Jose on Feb. 9.
The band is comprised of vocalist Tran, pianist Benett Roth Newell, drummer Kosuke Okamura, and bassist Veno Bender.
The members describe their sound as a mixture of Soul, R&B and Hip-hop.
All members contribute in the song-writing and composition of their songs, usually during their practices, which described as jam-session based and impromptu.
“That’s how we make our songs, it’s very spontaneous,” Tran said.
“For the most part we just get together and if we’re making a song it’s off of our feeling,” Bender said.
Passion and lust are seen throughout the album, ” … unchecked aggression, kind of youthful exuberance in a way … words to live by,” said Newell.
There are also inspirational messages that students can relate to threaded throughout the EP. Tran said, “It’s just pretty much what college students, people in their 20s, late 20s go through: temptation, moments when you’re faced with [temptation], understanding what love is.”
The band began planning and organizing their album release in November and all members were eager to see the final outcome.
As for the future, the members said they are open to being signed. Soulful Obsession currently promotes itself independently through social media, and said that working to make themselves known has made them more driven.
When asked for any advice they could offer to students who are pursuing a career in music, Tran said, “Never give up. You got to persevere, keep going … it builds you as a person … Keep trying, and enjoy the ride.”
SING A TUNE (RIGHT) – Lily Tran of the local soul/R&B group Soulful Obsession sings powerful lyrics on stage at the Milano Restaurant and Nightlife. (courtesy of ED CHUCK)
