Local Music News

SLC soul-funk-rock artist Talia Keys is dropping new singles in the weeks leading up to her April 2 album release show at The State Room. “Come Back Down” is being released Thursday at midnight with the video to follow Friday at 1 p.m.

The full band, Talia Keys & The Love, will be performing with Omega Horns, who are featured on the new album, and Ogden-based singer-songwriter Zaza Historia VanDyke opening at the upcoming concert.

The last time Keys played at The State Room was in October for the annual Halloween Bash that has been a spooky time staple in Salt Lake City for ten years.

“I have had the wonderful opportunity to play there with several different projects, both headlining and opening,” said Keys.

Long considered one of the best live music venues in Salt Lake, The State Room is known for reliably bringing exceptional local and nationally-touring musicians and bands to the 299-capacity intimate space with theater-style seating, a dance floor, and a full bar. It’s no small thing for a musician to have the opportunity to step onto The State Room stage.

For Keys, the first time playing at The State Room was a pivotal moment in her career: “I think the first time we played at The State Room was opening for Orgone. One of my favorite female fronted funk acts. To play a real venue with an elevated stage, lights and impeccable sound felt like a dream and to be honest every time we play there it does.”

Keys didn’t allow the months of forced isolation and inability to perform in-person shows during the pandemic to stop her growth: "I have been taking voice lessons during the pandemic and it truly helped open up my range, ability and stamina. I also live streamed a bunch the last two years so my guitar playing was upped too.” Special guests on the album and at the show on April 2, Omega Horns, she said, brought the record to a “whole other level.”

Although Keys wrote most of the new music on the new album, “Lessons,” just before the pandemic, the songs speak prophetically to the historic events we’ve endured since. “I had no idea how relevant my tune about mental health ‘Head Up’ was going to be,” said Keys. “My music is more relevant now than it ever has been.” The next singles that will be released before the album release concert talk about “living in the now, fighting oppression, standing up for yourself and moving on.”

Keys has shown big love to Ogden over the years, performing both solo and with The Love, and Ogdenites hope for another O-Town show soon.

Tickets for Talia Keys Album Release Party featuring The Love and The Omega Horns with Zaza Historia VanDyke are on sale now at thestateroompresents.com/the-state-room.

New “Heads Up” video, from upcoming album “Lessons” released on February 18.