Today, singer-songwriter Leah Shoshanah is releasing “Brave Woman,” a song that illuminates healing from sexual and emotional trauma. We’re honored to premiere “Brave Woman” and share the story that Shoshanah sings.
After she escaped her abuser, Shoshanah dealt with flashbacks, anxiety and chronic pain. As she rebuilt her life, she felt stuck inside a cycle of regret, self-hate, and anger. Shoshanah wrote “Brave Woman” as a way to generate positive thinking and help her move forward. Of the inspiration behind the song, Shoshanah shares:
“I wanted to change my life, to move out of that pain, to stop being the victim and emerge into the woman I’ve always wanted to become. I started writing these words, ’cause you’re a brave woman, you’re a strong woman, you’re a tough woman, never give up woman,’ and the song was born.”
“Brave Woman” is a playful, upbeat tune that draws influence from Brazilian samba and features an acoustic sextet. Harmonized flute and cello melodies weave through the song’s steady bass line to create a counterpoint to Shoshanah’s singing, which deftly oscillates between bold and vulnerable in her performance. The song rises into an almost-rapped rhythmic break in the bridge, then dives into a tender duet between Shoshanah and her father, David Cowen, on cello only to rise again into a full on belted scat solo.
“Brave Woman represents a lot of firsts for me. It is the first time I’ve composed music for such a big ensemble and the first time I’ve produced a studio session. It will not be the last, I assure you.”
Listen to the song below:
Celebrate the release of “Brave Woman” with Shoshanah on May 28th at Martyr’s along with Victoria Storm and The Herbal Remedies. They’ll also be raising money for Sarah’s Circle, a non-profit organization with a mission of serving women who are homeless or in need of a safe space. RSVP here.