For nearly 50 years, The B-52s have been a cultural staple, with buoyant beats that have enamored generations. The band is currently in the middle of a residency at the Venetian Theater in Las Vegas, but founding member Kate Pierson is finding time to continue her solo career — her latest album, “Radios and Rainbows,” drops next month.
Massachusetts fans can get a preview of the album as part of the 20th Annual Cape Cod Jazz & Arts Festival on Aug. 21, when Pierson performs at the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club in Harwich. Ahead of the performance, Pierson joined The Culture Show host Jared Bowen to talk about her music, including the work she does from her home in Truro.
Pierson says that compared to her career with The B-52s, she’s looking forward to singing songs that are more intimate and autobiographical. “I can really kind of express more emotion and showcase my voice, instead of everything at top volume,” she said.
She described her solo work as an assemblage of songs. “Some are sort of anthems, and some are political, and some are just really uplifting and some are, you know, spooky. But once you put them all together, they’re just songs.”
While the works are in conversation, Pierson views her solo work “completely distinctly, as does everyone in the band.” She pointed to bandmates Cindy Wilson, who released her first solo EP in 2016, and Fred Schneider, who first shared solo work in 1984.
“We all agreed to keep it very separate,” Pierson says. “And I think that’s good because the band has been together so long, and it’s the mothership. I love everyone in the band [...] I just really like doing something so different and the show is going to be different, although I am going to include a few hits that people recognize.”
Listen to the full interview above. Kate Pierson will be performing at the 20th Annual Cape Cod Jazz & Arts Festival, at the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club in Harwich, MA.
