Monday night (September 19), the multi-faceted artist Sudan Archives made her late-night TV debut with an electric performance of “Selfish Soul” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The song performed is lifted from Archives critically acclaimed new album Natural Brown Prom Queen which was released early this month. The classically trained violinist brought nothing but her infectious charisma and a small band to the stage to pull off one of the more impressive late-night spots we’ve seen all year.
Sudan Archives began her career back in 2017 when one of the west coast’s most eclectic labels signed her. Stones Throw Records released her self-titled EP that year and what was born that day turned into two enthralling LPS including 2019’s Athena and her aforementioned sophomore LP. Her 2022 album was released on September 9 and was greeted with wide critical acclaim, read Glide’s review of the album here. The 18-song LP proved just how diverse Archives’ violin playing can become and the self-taught musician can implement her complex string sections into any song structure she so pleases effortlessly. This idea is cemented on the single from the album. “Selfish Soul”, which we saw Archives perform on her TV debut.
Archives was backed only by three singers and a guitar playing, the rest of the impressive charisma that was displayed during the performance came from the artist herself. With her trusty violin strapped to her chest, Archives tore apart the late-night stage as she masterfully commanded the stage with the high-octane melody that drives “Selfish Soul”.
Check out the full performance below:
