Ezra Furman Brings Intimate Solo Performances to The Rockwell

Renowned indie singer-songwriter Ezra Furman, who first found her musical calling back in 2006 while studying at Tufts University, is returning to her roots with a series of intimate shows at The Rockwell on Davis Square. These performances, part of a current monthly residency, showcase Furman's raw and personal approach to music, without the constraints of a predetermined setlist. These stripped-down sessions are described as 'Ms. Ezra Furman Doing What She Wants,' and can range from her well-loved tracks, assuming she has hits, to new compositions, covers, or improvisational acts. Furman herself highlights the challenge of delivering what people expect, mentioning her uncertainty about having a 'signature song.'

The Duality of Ezra's Performances

While the live shows offer a more modest and personal Furman experience, her recorded works, such as the album 'All of Us Flames,' showcase a starkly contrasting side with elaborate electronic arrangements. These enhance the intensity of the songs, both musically and lyrically, reflecting her commitment to deeply moving her listeners. She strives to beat her own best, loyal not to specific sounds but to conveying truth and emotion.

An Homage to an Idol

Among Furman's new songs is one that honors a childhood hero, titled 'Ally Sheedy in the Breakfast Club'. With no word if Sheedy herself has heard the song, Furman reveals her connection to the character's influence, yet expresses her apprehensiveness about the potential response.

Furman's Soundtrack Success and Artistic Journeys

Although notably recognized for the soundtrack of Netflix's 'Sex Education,' Furman views such projects with ambivalence, equating it to a 'corporate gig' that contrasts with her deeply personal artistic endeavors. Nonetheless, she acknowledges her knack for songwriting as a skill that can serve others.

Visibility and Vulnerability

In 2019, Furman publicly embraced her identity as a transgender woman and a mother, prompting a mixed response and subsequently infusing her subsequent album with an added sense of urgency. By going public, Furman wanted to challenge the visibility of trans parents, hoping to provide a model for trans individuals contemplating parenthood.

Punk Philosophy and Social Themes

Furman's work often reflects themes of resilience and defiance in the face of societal adversity, a perspective shaped by her early love of punk rock. She sees punk not just as a music genre but as a philosophy, a form of postmodern thought that empowers her narrative.

solo, performance, intensity