Exclusive Premiere: Sierra Green ‘Promised Land’

Exclusive Premiere: Sierra Green ‘Promised Land’

Rock & Blues Muse is pleased to premiere “Promised Land” by powerhouse soul vocalist Sierra Green. A vibrant musical force rising from the heart of New Orleans, Green’s single is taken from her upcoming album Here We Are.

A profound and soulful vocalist, Green is a force from the streets of New Orleans. Revered as the “Queen of Frenchman Street,” Sierra was born and raised in the city’s 7th Ward, the working class neighborhood where legends such as Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet, and Allen Toussaint all cut their teeth.

An R&B/soul number soon to be a modern classic “Promised Land,” by Sierra Green is a commemoration of “Juneteenth,” a proclaimed day of freedom for 250,000 enslaved black people in the state of Texas. Juneteenth came to be known as the end of slavery in the United States.

Green’s vocal is formidable and growls with soul and courage. The song is an anthem for freedom with Green at the helm, triumphant and powerful. She sings, “I can hear the sound of the footsteps coming, yeah, but they can’t hurt me if I don’t fear nothin’.” And you can hear her story in just those few words. The guitar solo, gritty and fuzzed out, shares Green’s edgy and rich vocal. With a rhythm section this tight, the moodiness of the horns pierces the evening sky.

The video for “Promised Land,” directed by Devon Williams, was written by Revivalist frontman David Shaw. This moving rendition by Sierra Green delves into themes of social justice, highlighting the stark disparities between the privileged and the marginalized. As the nation commemorates Juneteenth, this song resonates deeply with its timely significance, echoing Shaw’s serious message.

“When we were in the studio, David Shaw actually came by and heard me singing his song,” recalls Sierra. “He didn’t come in, but my managers saw him stop and do a double-take. We’re hoping he likes the track. Its meaning runs deep for us, so we’re releasing it on Juneteenth to honor that.”

“Promised Land”

Green’s sound is influenced by her own Big Easy roots, from the gospel music she sang in her childhood church choir to the soul songs she performed on street corners during her busking days. She’s become one of the city’s hometown heroes, packing venues like Cafe Negril with her horn-driven band and a voice that channels its own mix of power, pain, and empowerment.

Green’s album Here We Are was recorded in Nashville with a six-piece backing band, The Giants, and is infused with JD Simo’s sultry guitar, captivating horns, and soulful melodies. Green collaborated with producer and guitarist Simo who is known for his work with icons like Beyoncé, Stevie Nicks, and Jack White. These recording sessions promise to elevate her forthcoming debut album, infusing her captivating vocals with potent horns and infectious bass lines—a nod to the legends of Detroit and Memphis as she forges her own path among contemporary torchbearers.

Modern soul music never sounded so good.

Sierra’s solo debut, Here We Are was recorded in New Orleans and Nashville. It’s a snapshot of an artist on the brink of a national breakthrough. At the same time, it’s very much a New Orleans project too with co-production from legendary pianist David Torkanowsky (Irma Thomas, Harry Shearer, Zigaboo Modeliste of The Meters, Anders Osborne, and Ellis Marsalis.)