As you know, The Womack Sisters (BG, Kucha, and Zeimani) are part of a historic family of musical geniuses, three of Womack & Womack’s seven children—Cecil and Linda Womack had a baby for every album! Without revealing their ages, BG, Kucha, and Zeimani say they are a year apart from each other.
“Our parents were really, really on a roll when they were having us!” says BG.
The Sisters grew up living around the world with their parents, including in Nigeria and Thailand. They made lots of music as a family.
“They had us in the studio with them when they were making their albums, and they took us on every tour,” says BG. “They didn’t want to miss us growing up. At first, they tried to experience leaving us at home, and it was distracting for them. They weren’t able to really do a great job on the road, so they told us that’s why they just kept us with them. They wanted to have their family and still go hard for their music and just tour as long as they needed to. Their tours would last up to a year. The tour moved in a pace that allowed them to experience where they were. And so it was like a big journey around the world.”
Their late uncle was Bobby Womack, and Sam Cooke was their grandfather. They’re celebrating Friday’s release of their modern classic, a self-titled debut album as a trio on Daptone, by opening for Cooke’s friend Al Green at the Hollywood Bowl, followed by a sold-out show with Thee Sacred Souls and LA LOM at Berkeley’s Greek Theatre on Sat/15.
The Womack Sisters was largely made in the same Southern California living room that they Zoomed in from for their quick chat with 48hills. Before (and while!) they officially linked up with Daptone, their recording, PR, and marketing efforts were largely funded through their rideshare gigs and stints of working retail. The cinematic music video for their single “Chauffeur” takes viewers through Los Angeles streets so their difficult groundwork can really be felt. Even though they come from one of the most respected families in the music business, nothing was financially handed to them.
“We come from a family of hard workers, and music has always been a humble profession,” says Zeimani. “Our dad told us when we were young, if you ever decide to do this, just know you have to do it for the love of it. Eventually some money will come, but it dies with your talent unless, of course, you inherited something.”
“Yeah, you made some great investments,” adds Kucha.
“Yeah, but the music alone, generationally, can dwindle financially, so you really do have to pave your own way,” says BG. “We’re no trust fund babies. We got it out the mud. We definitely experienced a great upbringing and beautiful childhood. And our parents are amazing for taking us on their journey with them. I think that is the most beautiful thing you could possibly experience is to see the world with your family. And after we did come of our own, we moved away and started pretty much fending for ourselves.”
Much of the album was recorded in one take, the old fashioned way.
“Everything is analog for this project,” says BG. “A beautiful collaboration recorded with a full band. Takes a village! Like, just no digital.”
The Womack Sisters offer resounding proof of what can happen when God, genetically-blessed talent, and hard work meet the right opportunity to reach the world. They reaffirm belief in extraordinary music.
THE WOMACK SISTERS will perform a sold-out show Sat/18 with Thee Sacred Souls and LA LOM at the Greek Theatre, Berkeley. Get their self-titled debut album here.
