Born in the bustling heart of New York City to Haitian immigrants and activists, Leyla McCalla has carved a unique musical path that resonates with the echoes of her past while embracing the rhythms of the present. A virtuoso of the cello, tenor banjo, and guitar, McCalla's multilingual prowess as a singer and songwriter imbues her work with a fusion of influences spanning centuries and continents.

An alumna of the Grammy award-winning Black string band, the Carolina Chocolate Drops, and a founding member of Our Native Daughters, McCalla's latest album, Sun Without The Heat, is a vibrant tapestry of joy and introspection. Across its ten tracks, she masterfully melds melodies and rhythms from Afro-diasporic traditions, drawing inspiration from Afrobeat, Ethiopian modalities, Brazilian Tropicalismo, and American folk and blues.

Her preceding album, Breaking The Thermometer, showcases McCalla's commitment to storytelling and social change. Inspired by the courageous journalists of Radio Haiti who risked their lives to report in Haitian Kreyol, the album underscores the indispensable role of a free press in fostering individual and collective liberation.

For McCalla, songwriting is not merely an artistic pursuit but a vehicle for advocacy and empowerment. Drawing from the insights of Black feminist Afrofuturist thinkers such as Octavia Butler and adrienne maree brown, her lyrics serve as beacons of hope and catalysts for transformation.

Throughout the album, McCalla weaves together themes of resilience and societal transformation, drawing parallels to Frederick Douglass' timeless exhortation for meaningful change. Through poignant tracks like the titular song, she reminds listeners of the imperative to confront discomfort and adversity on the path to progress.

Recorded during a nine-day immersion at Dockside Studios in New Orleans and produced by Maryam Qudus, Sun Without The Heat captures the synergy between McCalla and her ensemble. Together, they crafted a mesmerizing soundscape that traverses the depths of human experience, embracing both the shadows of sorrow and the brilliance of hope.