Singer/songwriter Margaux LeSourd isn’t scared of pop. Along with soulful, jazzy vocals LeSourd blends not only pop but rock, funk and jazz. The point, she said is to make her music accessible to a diverse audience.
“(The music I play is) groovy but it’s also got a lot of elements that are interesting to people who may be in the music scene and people who study music a little more,” LeSourd said. “It’s a nice blend of jazz and pop.”
LeSourd, a University of Richmond alumna, met Bungalo 6 member and VCU alumnus Mark Ingraham her junior year of college and started playing with the band soon afterward. LeSourd said she moved from Seattle to Richmond thinking she would pursue international relations, but instead said she couldn’t stay away from music, a passion she has had since she was little.
“I realized in college my love is composing and performing,” LeSourd said. “I can’t not do it.”
For the future, LeSourd is recording a new solo record this month and participating in Beast Wellington, a new band that has some members from Bungalo and a new female horn section. Beast Wellington includes VCU jazz studies majors Mary Lawrence Hicks, Suzi Fischer, Chris Ryan and Devonne Harris as well as education major Maureen Wisniewski. Ingraham said the reason LeSourd worked with Bungalo 6 and now Beast Wellington is the chemistry the members had.
“She’s got an incredible voice, great stage presence and is a super nice person,” Ingraham said. “When you’re performing with someone . there’s either a lot of chemistry or there’s not.”
Ingraham also said LeSourd connects with college audiences because she not only plays original songs, but covers songs that range from Amy Winehouse to Aretha Franklin. LeSourd said she likes to play good music, regardless of whether it’s hers.
“I really do enjoy playing my own music,” LeSourd said. “But if you do a cover and make it your own, I think it’s just as gratifying as playing your own music.”
In the end, LeSourd said she is living the dream.
“I’ve always been into music,” LeSourd said. “I always wanted to do it as a career. It’s cool I actually ended up doing it.”
Margaux LeSourd will perform Tuesday, Sept. 8 from noon-1 p.m. at the VCU Commons Plaza as part of the Activities Planning Board Live Concert on the Plaza with special guest, Beast Wellington. Admission is free and open to the public.