South Austin Song Circle: Nakia, Fancy Hagood & Judy Blank

Nakia is an influential queer artist in the Austin music scene and beyond, captivating audiences worldwide with his commanding and soulful voice for over 20 years. He was a semi-finalist on The Voice where he quickly became the fan-favorite of season one. He has shared stages with legendary performers such as Alejandro Escovedo, Sharon Jones, Willie Nelson, B.B. King, and The Muppets. Nakia has performed at major festivals and events including Austin City Limits Music Festival, SXSW Music Festival, and the Underwater Sunshine Festival, as well as specialty queer and bear-themed celebrations like Austin Pride, Mountain Star Pride (El Paso), Bearrison Street Fair (San Francisco), Tidal Wave (Orlando), Western Xposure (Palm Springs), Bear Pride Chicago, Cannonball (Fort Lauderdale), and Bearracuda. In addition to live performances, Nakia is also available for DJ sets, and as an ordained minister he is honored to officiate weddings and commitment ceremonies. Born and raised in the Netherlands, Judy Blank fell in love with classic American cinema. The flickering haze of desert sunsets, endless open roads, and misfits searching for meaning. She first made waves in Europe, touring club circuits, playing major festivals, and charming crowds with her offbeat storytelling and sharp wit. But her obsession with the American dream never faded, pulling her to Nashville, where she recorded her ‘70s-inspired coming-of-age debut album, Morning Sun. The record gained international recognition, earned praise from Elton John, and won her an RIAA Gold Award for her jagged-edged folk ballad Tangled Up in You. Shortly after, she made history as the first Dutch artist ever to play AmericanaFest in Nashville, proving she could hold her own in the old-school big leagues, while still being the weirdest person in the room. After making the leap to the U.S. last year, Blank quickly expanded her cult following, touring across the country with SUSTO and Wild Child. The Dutch DIY enigma opened for Noah Kahan & Flipturn, supported Michael Marcagi & Katie Pruitt on their European tours, and even played Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion. Her singular, genre-defying artistry didn’t go unnoticed - this year, she was signed by Rounder Records, who will release her new LP, Big Mood, in August. Its first synth-drenched single, Dinosaurs, marked the beginning of a bold new chapter. Since its release, she’s been featured by Clash Magazine, No Depression, and Variety, landed in the Top 10 of Spotify’s Fresh Folk playlist, and was even named DJ Pick of the Week on Nashville’s leading indie station, Lightning 100.