South Carolina Babes March from the Coast to the Upstate
Darby Wilcox
I have to be honest – when my friend Darby Wilcox told me she was doing a “babe show” at The Radio Room, I expected her, her Peep Show, and a couple of other local ladies sharing a stage for a single evening. What it took me a minute to realize was that she was embarking on a whirlwind three-day tour from Charleston to Greenville with some of the most talented women from the state of South Carolina. It was not simply “a babe show” but, rather, a full blown “Tri-City Babe Tour” showcasing some serious local and regional talent.
Jordan Igoe
The babes in question are Darby Wilcox & the Peep Show, Charleston’s Jordan Igoe, and Columbia’s Rex Darling, featuring Catherine Hunsinger, and fellow Columbia band Charlie Boy with Kat Hammond and Emily McCollum. The combination of these four artists makes for an eclectic evening of music that will take listeners on a musical journey from start to finish. Darby’s own brand of sassy yet soulful storytelling will be complemented by the the unique voices and talents of all three of these contributors to the tour. Igoe brings a sort of Southern gothic tone to her voice and songwriting, making for a captivating sound that I simply cannot get enough of. Hunsinger’s Rex Darling delivers a more indie-pop sound and their latest single “High Fashion Crazy” is a total earworm that grabs you and will not let go in all the right ways. Last, but certainly not least, Charlie Boy is an indie rock ensemble that defies description but, to my ear, I hear everything from airy guitars reminiscent of Modest Mouse to the mood of one of my local favorites, Sawyer Norman (totally not a babe, but, still) and I am loving every bit of it.
For her part, Darby calls this a “dream run” and “a privilege to mix magic with such powerful energies.” She adds that “Babetown is all about babes supporting babes. These are all people I value and adore as friends and family. I mean, come on – Jordan Igoe, Kat Hammond, Emily McCollum, Catherine Hunsinger, and the list goes on and on!” For me, this highlights everything there is to love about a tour like this. While the talent on stage is phenomenal in each of their own rights, the comradery of these women sharing their art on tour, supporting each other every step of the way, gives the whole experience an energy and unique quality all its own.
Rex Darling
