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Charleston-born John Isgett Elected to Serve as President of the South Carolina Automotive Dealers Association (SCADA)

June 24, 2022 by 0 Comments
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SC Automobile Dealers Induct John Isgett of Darlington to Lead 2022-2023 Year.

COLUMBIA, SC –June 24, 2022– John Isgett of Raceway Ford and Chevrolet, located in Darlington, SC, has been elected President of the South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association (SCADA) for the 2022-2023 term. He was inducted on June 13, 2022, with the unanimous support of the SCADA franchised Dealer body. Isgett has served on the SCADA Board of Directors since 2009 when he was first elected as Director of the Pee Dee District. In 2017, he was elected as a Regional Vice President and became Treasurer in 2020, rising to 1st Vice President in 2021.

Born and raised in Charleston, Mr. Isgett resided there until 1996, moving to Darlington with his family to assist in the management of a Chevrolet Dealership that family friends had acquired. John continued working at the Dealership until the Spring of 2000 when he and a local businessman acquired the Ford Dealership, changing its name to Raceway Ford.

Since the acquisition of the Ford Dealership in 2000, Isgett has been involved in multiple Dealerships acquisitions, as well as closures by GM and Chrysler. This experience led to Isgett becoming a guest columnist for Automotive News, journaling about his experience from a Dealer’s perspective. Today, and since 2010, Isgett leads Raceway Ford of Darlington, Raceway Ford of Hartsville, and Raceway Chevrolet, in Hartsville.

John has two children, Sarah Isgett Miles (Will) and John “JT” Isgett, III. John is a member of the First Baptist Church in Darlington. He has served, chaired, and continues to serve on many community boards, including the Darlington Chamber of Commerce, Hartsville Chamber of Commerce, Pee Dee Regional EMS Council, Florence Darlington Technical College Foundation, Darlington County Water and Sewer Authority, Darlington County Jetport Commission, Darlington County Economic Development Board, Trinity Byrnes Collegiate School, and the Billie Hardee Home for Boys. Additionally, he is a 2014 Liberty Fellowship graduate, a part of the Aspen Institute.

Other Officers elected to the SCADA Board of Directors for the new term are 1st Vice President Scott Rizer of Rizer Chevrolet in Walterboro, and Treasurer Richard Pendarvis of Pendarvis Chevrolet in Edgefield.
 
The 5 Vice Presidents for the SCADA Board of Directors are Perry Shuping of Honda of Columbia in Columbia, Fred Caldwell of Fred Caldwell Chevrolet in Clover, Robert Burns of Burns Ford in Lancaster, Robert Crews of Crews Chevrolet & Crews Subaru of Charleston, and Joe Trainor of Stokes-Trainor Chevrolet Buick GMC of Newberry.

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The South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association (SCADA), founded in 1937, is the only statewide lobbying force in South Carolina dedicated to the economic and political interests of the owners of automobiles and the Dealers of new cars and trucks.  SCADA represents new car and truck franchised dealers across the state of South Carolina and advocates on behalf of its members in public policy, regulatory issues, and economic development impacting the automotive industry. SCADA works to forge meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships between auto Dealers and their local, state, and federal representatives.  SCADA also provides a wide range of publications, educational opportunities, networking, and business improvement services to its Dealer members to help them excel in a dynamic and ultra-competitive business environment. 

Lowcountry

South Carolina ranked in the Top 5 with the Most People Looking for Jobs in Latest Study

June 24, 2022 by 0 Comments
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The study carried out by finance experts Wealthtender examined the 50 states and the District of Columbia based on a review of online search terms frequently used by people seeking to leave their current job for greener pastures, to establish which states have the most people looking for a new job in 2022. 

The research revealed that Mississippi ranks highest with the greatest percentage of its population interested in leaving their current employer to start a new job. With a Job Search Score of 88.80, Mississippi topped the list for its population having the highest search levels for the term “resume templates” and the third-highest search levels for the job listing website “indeed”. 

Georgia ranked as the second-highest state unhappy in their current employment, with a total Job Search Score of 79.95. Georgia has the third-highest proportion of its population searching for “remote jobs” and the sixth-highest number of searches for the term “resume templates”, putting it second in the job dissatisfaction rankings. 

Montana places as the third highest state searching for a new job in 2022. The western state has the second-highest level of searches for the term “quit job”, in addition to being the seventh-highest state searching for “remote jobs”, giving Montana a combined Job Search Score of 77. 

In contrast, Washington, D.C. ranks as the district with the fewest people looking for a new job, with the lowest Job Search Score of 47.45. The U.S. capital has the lowest search levels for the term “resume templates” and the second-lowest level of searches for “indeed”, making the population of Washington, D.C. the happiest with their current employment. 

Hawaii features as the second state with the least people looking for a new job in 2022. The study revealed that the population of Hawaii have searched for the term “indeed” the least of all states, giving it a total Job Search Score of 48.55. 

The study found that Alaska ranks as the third state with the least people searching for a new job. With a total Job Search Score of 49, Alaska’s residents search for the term “resume templates” and “indeed”, both the third least in the country, making the population of Alaska the third happiest with their current jobs. 

Commenting on the study, a spokesperson for Wealthtender said, “With a record number of job openings in recent months, employers facing increased competition for top talent have begun to offer higher pay, increased benefits, and greater flexibility to attract qualified applicants. 

These incentives have resulted in millions of people thinking about quitting their current job for better pay, a new career, or the ability to work from home. This study provides an interesting insight into which states are considering changing jobs the most, with the population of Mississippi clearly the most dissatisfied with their current employment.”  
 

This study was conducted by Wealthtender, who are dedicated to helping people find the best financial advisors and resources for their individual needs, no matter their income or stage of life. 

Lowcountry

Charleston-Based Event Professional, Jill Shortreed, Joins Elite International Charity Build

June 23, 2022 by 0 Comments
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Charleston, South Carolina – Jill Shortreed, owner of Charleston Balloon Company, has been invited to join as a Captain for an elite international balloon event. She was chosen to be included as part of a talented team of event professionals tasked with creating a giant, immersive experience at the Balloon Wonderland event in Orlando, Florida, to aid the non-profit Give Kids The World.

Ms. Shortreed will be using her expert design and leadership skills that she has developed and honed as one of the top leading professionals in the industry over the last 25 years to create several fantasy-themed areas across a 30,000 sq. ft balloon village. She will be leading 6 teams, consisting of almost 60 balloon artists, at the Hyatt Cypress Regency Hotel in Orlando from Monday, July 11th through Friday, July 15th, 2022.

“This event is one of the largest, most unique balloon projects for an amazing cause with some displays towering as high as 24 feet tall! It is an honor to be included” states Ms. Shortreed

Since 1986, Give Kids The World Village has welcomed more than 177,000 families from all 50 states and 76 countries. Providing week-long, cost-free wish vacations to critically ill children and their families from around the world at their 89-acre, not-for-profit resort. For more information about the organization, please visit GKTW.org

“The Balloon Wonderland will be sensational and Ms. Shortreed is a valuable addition to execute and lead many iconic balloon displays at the Give Kids The World Village. It’s a great demonstration of how the joy of balloons can make a difference in the lives of so many people” said Stuart Davies, Producer of Balloon Wonderland.

Charleston Balloon Company is a leader in the balloon industry, as the Largest Balloon Retailer in North America, as well as designing and creating incredible displays for private, corporate, and non-profit events. Ms. Shortreed has taught others how to start their own balloon businesses across the country, as well as presented as a keynote speaker at several industry events. Charleston Balloon Company is well prepared during the current helium shortage and has ample supply to fit all their customers’ needs.

For more information about Charleston Balloon Company, visit CharlestonBalloonCompany.com.  

Lowcountry

Why Balloon Therapy Charleston is the only therapy you need for happiness – Meet Charleston Newest Party Stop

June 23, 2022 by 0 Comments
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This month, a new sensation is arriving in Charleston that will be sure to send you flying up to the clouds. Balloon Therapy Charleston is a concept in happiness and smiles.

Whether you are planning a birthday for your beautiful child, wedding, bachelorette, sporting event, festival, conference, housewarming, engagement, themed party, adult prom, grand opening or just love custom balloons that represent the true you, this is the place to be. A partnership with Balloon Therapy Charleston is a partnership in smiles.

Watch this short video below and you will see the authentic joy that Balloon Therapy can bring to children and adults of all ages.

Meet Chad, Balloon Therapy Chief Happy Officer (CHO)

Chad grew up in Oklahoma before moving to  Charleston a little over ten years ago to help launch a new insurance company on Johns Island. After five years, he made a career change and met his beautiful future wife Katie in a small Seacoast coed group. .

Less than two years later, the two wed and and just over 9 months ago, they welcomed their first child into the world, Grant.

“Our life hasn’t been the same! He is our purpose and why we get up every day.” Chad shares about his commitment to his family, fatherhood and happiness.

Why open Balloon Therapy Charleston?

“I had a good friend who started the Tulsa, Oklahoma location last February and I saw how much fun her and her clients were having with these crazy balloon displays. I told her to keep me posted as I might be interested in jumping in the balloon game as well!”

“She had a ton of great feedback and said the amount of joy that she’s seen on her customers faces when they are done with the display is priceless. I was sold as I saw a major opportunity to bring such a fun business to an area that has events going on year round! I also saw a space where we can give back to the community in a unique way rather than giving a check we can create an awesome balloon display that creates lots of smiles.”

James & John's Islands, SC - Lowcountry

Grand Opening: One of a Find Charleston opens new storefront on Johns Island

June 23, 2022 by 0 Comments
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One of A Find Charleston Opens Storefront On Johns Island Local furniture and decor enthusiast Courtney Bukowsky expands business from the grid of Instagram to a brick and mortar showroom 

Charleston, S.C. – Local businesswoman Courtney Bukowsky is expanding her business, One of A Find Charleston, to a renovated storefront in the heart of Johns Island. The One of A Find storefront is located on Johns Island at 3226 Maybank Hwy Unit E3 and will open to the public on June 25, 2022. Visitors to the storefront will be able to shop and celebrate from 10 am – 7pm. From 4 pm -7pm attendees will be treated to a cocktail hour with frosé from the Coop and cupcakes from Sugar Bakeshop and can enter to win a free lacquered piece of furniture from the showroom. 

Expanding One of A Find Charleston has been a long-time dream now coming to fruition. After resigning from her role as an esthetician for 18 years, Courtney says she has finally reached a point where she feels she can dedicate the time to focus on her business while at the same time, be present for her husband and three sons. “We are so excited to give our customers what they have been asking for—a chance to shop our warehouse!” Starting six years ago, Courtney began selling furniture online as a hobby. Her passion for new, vintage, and mid-century furniture and decor grew into a full-time business as followers of her page @oneofafindcharleston also fell in love with the unique and palm beach chic pieces for sale on social media platform Instagram. 

You can learn more about Courtney and her story by visiting her website at oneofafindcharleston.com. More information about the event can be provided through email at hello@oneofafindcharleston.com. 

About One of A Find Charleston 

One of A Find Charleston is a place to find unique, new and vintage home furnishings and decor specializing in custom lacquer. Items can be purchased through Instagram and at the showroom on Johns Island, S.C. One of A Find has been featured on the PBS show StartUp, in HGTV magazine, Apartment Therapy and Southern Living.

Lowcountry

Meet Genevieve Drummond, owner of Hummingbird Clinical Consulting LLC in Charleston, SC, and learn about her personal journey and commitment to supporting the Lowcountry

June 22, 2022 by 0 Comments
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Hummingbird Clinical Consulting LLC 

Our mission is to optimize clinical efficiency while fostering a holistic approach to business development and clinical management. We believe that meeting the needs of the client is paramount in creating a lasting and trusting business relationship. Therefore, we make it a priority to understand the unique nature of your business and clearly identify your personal and professional goals. We are passionate and dedicated to improving patient care, clinical outcomes and business performance.     

OUR DIFFERENCE    

We get to the root of what makes your practice special. It is important to capture both the clinical philosophy and your business’s core morals and values in all of our planning.     

Why is that?   

We firmly believe that an individualized approach to our business planning and strategies will result in optimal long-term success. We are active listeners, problem solvers and creative planners.    

Although my stay at each practice will be interminable, my goal is to provide a personalized service, that will ensure our clients’ exact needs are met.      

I have a unique perspective on the internal functions of various clinical modalities, having spent over 8 years working as a Clinical Director and Consultant. I understand firsthand a doctor’s desire to impact change in the health of their community, and improve patient outcomes but still attain financial freedom and carve out time to connect with their family.      

Hummingbird Clinical Consulting LLC exists to solve the critical issues facing our clients, both large and small. Our approach is not only what differentiates us, but it’s what drives our client’s success. We provide a broad range of services and solutions to help clinics facilitate change, achieve their vision and optimize performance and productivity.     

My experience allows me to take all of your hopes and dreams for both your professional and personal life, and deliver them back to you in the form of an actionable, realistic strategy.  

Services   

Our process involves an initial analysis stage where we provide a contract proposal for review. At this stage, we will perform varying degrees of clinical, financial, marketing, business planning and website performance analysis. From there, we prepare our report of findings, where we meet to review our recommendations.     

Some clinics will have the infrastructure in place to implement our integrations and recommendations immediately, and others will need more ongoing support.   

This is where our uniquely offered add-on services come in.  

Whether you need more help with staffing, training, employee handbook creation, systems integrations and streamlining of work processes. Or perhaps your clinic has larger growth goals such as increased brand awareness, website design and digital marketing, passive revenue and program integrations, associate doctor hires and team training, or adding on a second location.   

We are able to curate a specific type of service package that will fit your individual needs.  

Gen Drummond, CEO – Hummingbird Clinical Consulting LLC   

With over 8 years of experience acting as both a consultant and clinical director, I have built programs and strategies that help practitioners optimize their businesses and clinical functions.     

With an educational foundation in Business Communications, Digital Marketing and Finance, I started my career as an Account Executive while working in financial services. I’ve supported the growth and management of corporate group health and wellness programs for large union-based organizations. After recognizing the health challenges so many individuals were facing, I felt drawn to position myself to have a greater positive impact in the field of healthcare. As such, I decided to pursue a career in the clinical medical space. I subsequently earned a degree in nutritional sciences while working in clinical consulting and management.     

Throughout my career, I have always maintained the desire to impact change in the quality of people’s lives.  After relocating from Ontario, Canada to Charleston, South Carolina, I knew I wanted to apply my industry knowledge and consulting experience to launch a unique business model. My goal was to create an environment where I could provide my clients with all the benefits of hiring a clinical director without having to be financially responsible for their long-term employment. This enables me to effectively support the growth and efficiencies of various medical and integrative clinics while being cost-effective.     

Hummingbird Clinical Consulting LLC was developed to impact change in the field of healthcare, address gaps in clinical management, optimize business development and clinical functions, as well as provide my clients with the freedom to live a balanced life.       

Our move to South Carolina    

We had always dreamed of making a move down south and away from our wintery Canada. I often joked with my husband, that “I’m made for sand, not snow!” After a quick weekend trip to Charleston in 2019, we found ourselves quickly falling in love with the food, landscapes, culture, history and people.     

After several months of contemplating and then eventually planning, we were finally ready to make the leap.  Until the unimaginable happened…     

My dad and business partner suffered a ruptured cerebral aneurysm and collapsed at our family cottage. He was rushed to the hospital and we spent the next several weeks fighting for his life. At the same time, I was on the heels of moving into our phased clinical expansion, as we had just closed on our new property.     

Over the following 5 weeks, my dad showed little improvement in his comatose state. I focused on getting our business up and running. I staffed an entirely new administrative team, as well as onboarded a new team of doctors to support the patient roster, all without my dad as our primary care provider.      

In April of 2021, my dad took his last breath.   The series of events that followed were truly mind-boggling.  Something inside of me still saw us raising our family in South Carolina. There was a light about the area that just felt like home to me, and after losing one of the most influential people in my life, I was looking for somewhere that could feel like home.     

So, I leaned into my Faith, and surrendered to something bigger than myself.  I somehow survived on less than 3 hours of sleep a night and spent the following months building up the business to great profitability, closed on my house and integrated fully remote management capabilities of the Center. In August of 2021, we made the leap and moved to Mount Pleasant, SC.     

The welcoming we received in our community in North Mount Pleasant, was something out of a dream. Here, we’ve made friendships that feel like family and have seen our son flourish in so many fantastic ways. I can’t quite describe the healing that’s taken place here after such a traumatic experience, but what I can say is that there truly is nothing like the community that you build around you. And here, there is a feeling of profound peace, belonging and motivation to contribute.        

MY WHY  

Hummingbird Clinical Consulting LLC was born out of my love for
healthcare and connecting with my community, building profitable and
streamlined practices as well as honoring my dad’s legacy. Hummingbirds were frequently seen at our family cottage and were my dad’s favorite animal. They represent joy, healing and abundance. They seek to remind us of the importance of enjoying the simple pleasures in life.  I truly get invested in all of my client’s visions, by drawing from my knowledge in both healthcare and marketing. I am purposeful when seeking to find the unique nature of their practices. Through my intentional and fulfilling work, I have connected with so many wonderful people with missions that are aligned

Lowcountry

Aquariums Applaud Introduction of the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Act on World Sea Turtle Day

June 21, 2022 by 0 Comments
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The New England Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital takes in hundreds of cold-stunned turtles that strand on Cape Cod beaches each fall and winter, treating the animals for life-threatening medical conditions and rehabilitating them with the ultimate goal of returning to the turtles to their ocean home. CREDIT: New England Aquarium 

BALTIMORE, MD., BOSTON, MA. and CHARLESTON, SC. (June 16, 2022) – The National Aquarium, New England Aquarium and South Carolina Aquarium celebrate World Sea Turtle Day by recognizing Massachusetts legislators for introducing legislation to increase funding for sea turtle conservation. The Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Act of 2022, introduced by U.S. Representative William Keating and U.S. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, will fill a crucial gap in sea turtle conservation by providing much-needed direct support to organizations who provide sea turtle stranding response and rehabilitation.

Organizations like the National Aquarium, New England Aquarium and South Carolina Aquarium directly contribute to sea turtle conservation while educating the public on the threats facing these threatened and endangered species, which include fishing gear and other plastic debris entanglements, boat strikes and cold-stun events that in some regions are intensifying due to climate change. As a result, the number of sea turtle strandings and the costs associated are increasing. There is no existing grant program that provides direct support to the dozens of institutions who rescue and rehabilitate critically endangered sea turtles.  Aquarium partners are proud to help lead this nationwide effort to address the lack of federal support for sea turtle stranding response and rehabilitation.

“For over 30 years, the National Aquarium’s Animal Health and Rescue teams have been working to rescue, rehabilitate and release sea turtles along the East Coast. This work has provided an up-close view to the challenges facing protected marine species and those who care for them” said National Aquarium CEO John Racanelli. “The National Aquarium is proud to help lead this nationwide effort to address the lack of federal support for sea turtle stranding response and rehabilitation and is appreciative of the leadership of Representative William Keating and Senator Ed Markey for introducing the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Act.”

“For the past three decades, the New England Aquarium has been operating one of the largest sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation programs in the world with the assistance of a vast, collaborative network of rescue partners. We are grateful for support from our Massachusetts delegation so that we can all continue this important conservation work and life-saving care,” said New England Aquarium President and CEO Vikki N. Spruill.

“The South Carolina Aquarium has been dedicated to rehabilitating sick and injured sea turtles for over 20 years. Sea turtles are ambassadors for conservation and drive awareness and actionable change for a better tomorrow,” says South Carolina Aquarium President and CEO Kevin Mills. “Their stories are critical to connecting people to water, wildlife and wild places, and we are grateful to lend our voice in the movement to secure federal financial assistance to continue this meaningful work.”

Thanks to a nationwide sea turtle funding effort led by the National Aquarium, New England Aquarium, and South Carolina Aquarium, three dozen bipartisan members of Congress and 42 institutions from 22 states and territories have already endorsed calls for funding sea turtle stranding response and rehabilitation. The Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Act builds on that momentum by creating a permanent grant program to support organizations responding to and caring for threatened and endangered sea turtles.

Each year, hundreds of cold-stunned sea turtles wash up on the beaches of Cape Cod. Because of the rapidly changing water temperature and wind pattern, many turtles cannot escape the hook-like area of Cape Cod Bay before becoming hypothermic. Starting in October, staff and volunteers with sea turtle stranding network partners begin to comb the beaches looking for stranded, hypothermic turtles that are then transported to the New England Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital. The turtles are triaged and treated for life-threatening conditions, including pneumonia and dehydration. Once the turtles are stabilized, veterinarians examine animals that need further care before they can be released back into the wild and clear others for travel to partner facilities, including National Aquarium and South Carolina Aquarium, to continue rehabilitation.

The National Aquarium, New England Aquarium and South Carolina Aquarium participate in the AZA Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) Sea Turtle program, which is focused on making significant contributions to the conservation of sea turtles, specifically the Kemp’s ridley and the Eastern Pacific leatherback.

Stay up to date on happenings in the Lowcountry with Charleston Daily

Photo Credit: South Carolina Aquarium

Lowcountry

Charleston International Airport announces new flights and destinations

June 21, 2022 by 0 Comments
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The Charleston International Airport has recently announced new flights being offered from Charleston, SC.  Check out the new flights and dates of launch for Spring/Summer and beyond.

 Breeze Airways

  • San Francisco, CA – Beginning May 26 | 3x per week
  • Syracuse, NY – Beginning June 10 | 2x per week
  • Fort Myers, FL – Beginning June 11 | 2x per week
  • Orlando, FL – Beginning  – June 23 | Daily
  • White Plains, NY – Beginning June 28 | Daily
  • Las Vegas, NV – Beginning August 5 | 3x per week

Avelo Airlines

  • New Haven, CT – Beginning May 5 | 4x per week
  • Orlando, FL Beginning June 30 | 3x per week

Sun Country Airlines

  • Minneapolis, MN – Beginning April 7 | 2x per week

Southwest Airlines

  • Austin, TX – Beginning March 10

Learn more about happenings in Charleston, SC with Charleston Daily

Lowcountry

Local Charleston Business Rebecca Illustrated has created an artistic memory for your Girls Weekend, Wedding, or more

June 20, 2022 by 0 Comments
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Local Charleston Business “Rebecca Illustrated” has taken the concept of a Girls Weekend and created a permanent piece of art to document your adventures forever.

By translating your amazing itinerary of shopping, dining, drinking, dancing, and all-around friendship mayhem, Rebecca has created a unique approach to capture these memories in art.

Check out this recent commission:

James & John's Islands, SC - Lowcountry

Breakthrough musical sensation Indigo De Souza gave a powerful and personal performance at the Pour House in Charleston, SC

June 20, 2022 by 0 Comments
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By Kevin Keck

It is a rare experience to watch an emerging artist in a small club and know with absolute certainty that you are witnessing someone who is on the verge of becoming a bonafide star. That was certainly the case when Indigo De Souza took the stage at The Pour House in Charleston on June 14th. There was an electricity in the room before De Souza and her band strummed the first chords of the haunting “Darker Than Death” a little before 9:30, as though the crowd in attendance was fully aware that the intimacy of this performance was soon to be relegated to the past as the rest of the world becomes aware of the strength of De  Souza’s compositions and the charisma of her stage presence.

Lyrically and sonically, De Souza conjures a cocktail of all of the best recordings released by Matador Records in the 1990s; she is a singer-songwriter in the mold of Liz Phair and PJ Harvey, with a heavy helping of pop sensibilities thrown in for good measure. Her lyrics are confessional and introspective,  exploring the dark corners of relationships and the human condition with an honesty that is both refreshing and disarming. Onstage, she is a force of nature,  her powerful voice never faltering as she bares her soul to the audience. She is backed by a tight band that knows how to highlight her strengths without overpowering her.

The Pour House audience was willing to have a taste of whatever De  Souza served up—as she and her band took time to tune between the first few  songs of her set, the crowd exchanged banter with her and shouted words of  affirmation: “You’re perfect!” an acolyte screamed; “Not true!” De Souza shot back, clearly blushing and embarrassed by the praise, immediately launching into the very danceable and sing-a-long worthy gem “Kill Me” with its heartfelt instructions: Fuck me till my brains start dripping.  

As the set progressed the audience grew quiet and reverential between songs as if held in rapturous awe by the sight of De Souza bathed in the blue cascade of stage lights as if the sounds of her voice and guitar had consecrated the space and she was beatified at its center, preparing to lead us all into a palace of transcendence. And then she would start singing again, and we would all be brought back to the present moment with the force of her words and the power of her performance.

A high point of the night was the mid-set ballad “Real Pain”, a heart-wrenching song about the loss of love for which De Souza abandons the protective shield of her guitar and commands the stage with full-throated, Rock  God status. The simplicity of the song’s arrangement served to underscore the emotional power of the lyrics, and by the time she reached the final crescendo— belting out an expansive, crooning, empathetic voodoo wail—the entire room was awash in a sonic cacophony that left no doubt that De Souza did indeed know and understand pain and triumphed over it, and in doing so her triumph became our own. 

“Real Pain” was followed by the Mazzy Star-like blues dirge “What Are We  Gonna Do Now” that further showcased De Souza’s prodigious vocal talents.  Lyrically, the song plays with a dysfunctional domestic scenario, and the musical arrangement contains elements of 1950s honky-tonk, and it was hard not to notice a wry smile on De Souza’s face throughout this song, and how her hair was adorned with a red polka-dot bow—an appropriate homage to Rosie the  Riveter and the strength of a woman’s power.

Thematically, much of De Souza’s music deals with loss, grief, and pain,  but there is also an undercurrent of hope and resilience that runs through her  songs, such as in the arena-rock worthy “Way Out”: “There are no monsters  underneath your bed / And I’ll never be the only thing you love / … If you want  to change / I’ll be here to love you / I’ll be here to hold you through the pain.” 

It is difficult to overstate the crowd’s welcoming reception of Indigo De  Souza. 

She has a way of making you feel as though you are the only person in the room, even when it is packed to capacity. And her songs, which are often dark and introspective, take on a new meaning when performed live. They feel less like documents of experience and more like living, breathing entities,  capable of changing and evolving as she works through them onstage.

De Souza is definitely the kind of artist that the world needs now, bearing a horn of fire and light through the darkness constantly encroaching. De Souza is a rare talent,  and she is clearly on the verge of something great—her show immediately following Charleston was at Bonnaroo; she won’t be a well-kept secret for very long. If you have the opportunity to see her perform do not miss it. It will be an experience you cherish for quite some time.