news
The DMI, a part of Delta State University, is headed up by Tricia Walker, a musician who has released a ton of her own music and has played with artists like Shania Twain and Connie Smith. The Link Centre welcomes Walker’s students and alumni for an intimate Bluebird Cafe-style show on Saturday as a part of its Monthly Music Mix. Those artists include Tara Rowe, Joanna Sabine, Charles Ross, Spencer Thomas and former Miss Mississippi Kristian Dambrino, known professionally now as Dam Brino.
“I just came out with a CD in February 2012, it’s definitive of what I’m doing now as a musician,” Dambrino said in an interview with the Journal. “It’s indie soul, but it’s like, very indie. It’s different than the slower Americana stuff I was doing a few years ago.”
Dambrino, a Grenada native, was crowned Miss Mississippi in 2005. She finished up her degree at DSU and moved to Nashville, where she works in graphic design. She is a photographer and musician on the side.
Dambrino said that despite moving from Mississippi to Nashville, her music is still influenced by the Magnolia State.
“It’s lyrically driven, so that’s my Mississippi influence,” she said. “Mississippi is not really a place that is full of Starbucks and all. In my opinion, that’s why so many (musicians) come out of the state – they need to create. They need to create their own reality.”
Dambrino, Ross, Thomas, Rowe and Sabine will all share the stories behind their songs at the concert.
“They’re the most interesting types of shows,” she said. “You don’t just have these bands jamming out. You feel more connected to the artist, and it makes it more meaningful.”
sheena.barnett@journalinc.com
On stage
Who: Singer-songwriters from the Delta Music Institute, including Kristian Dambrino, Charles Ross, Tara Rowe, Spencer Thomas and Joanna Sabine
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Link Centre Reception Hall
Cost: $10/adults, $5/students
Info: (662) 690-4011