Whenever musician Alecia Chakour returns to our Happy Valley, there are always two things on her to-do list: catching up with The Golden Girls and grabbing a Dr. Chang’s Schizandra Berry juice from Amherst Chinese Food.
Chakour grew up in Amherst, immersed in a musical community that included father Mitch Chakour, Joe Cocker’s former musical director and a renowned soul and blues musician. She’s spent the last five years living, working and performing in Brooklyn, both as a backup singer and with her own projects, including Alecia Chakour and the Osrah (“family” in Arabic). She recently took some time out to talk in advance about that group’s March 19 Iron Horse show.
Valley Advocate: Thanks in part to your father, you grew up with music. Do you think you were destined to be in the music world?
Alecia Chakour: I do feel lucky that I was surrounded by music in the way I was. Listening to my parents’ monster record collections, being backstage at my pop’s shows and going along with him to his sessions, and jamming with my family was as regular as trips to the grocery store or the playground. My extended family was heavy into music as well. My grandpa was a killer piano player and a huge inspiration to me. I learned so much from him, my dad and the rest of my family—blood-related and peers of my dad—about how to approach music and playing a tune. It was never focused on showing off your chops, although you had to be knowledgeable about your craft.
Do you have a different perspective on the Valley after a few years in NYC?
I don’t know that it’s different, but it’s certainly cemented my love for the area. Touring has, too. It’s helped me realize how the Valley is such an incredibly unique place. So beautiful and nurturing, so many damn talented, smart and critically conscious people. I am so thankful to have been raised where I was, surrounded by this powerful community. Living and traveling elsewhere has only made me more aware of that.”
Alecia Chakour and the Osrah play March 19, 10 p.m., Iron Horse, Northampton, aleciachakour.com.
