Interview Spotlight: Avant-garde Violinist Sudan Archives Marks Glastonbury Debut with ‘Fiddle Soft Punk’

Brittney Denise Parks, globally known by her stage name Sudan Archives, is an innovative violinist and singer-songwriter famed for her unique “fiddle soft punk” style.

In her recent debut at the renowned Glastonbury Festival in the U.K., she mesmerized the crowd under the afternoon sun with her fusion of rap and violin performance. Clad in a striking red leather corset adorned with belts and buckles, cowboy boots, and a violin bow strapped to her back reminiscent of Robin Hood, her initially shaky start swiftly transformed into a vibrant spectacle.

“There were some technical issues with my mic initially, and the crowd was like, ‘We can’t hear you,’ to which I responded, ‘Really?’ But once we sorted that out, the performance was phenomenal!” she shared in an interview with The Big Big News.

Raised in Ohio, Sudan Archives is now Los Angeles-based. She self-learned the violin in her childhood and has since been making her mark with her exploratory mix of non-Western string traditions, unconventional pop and R&B tunes, and rap inspired by her collaborator and partner, Nocando.

Her 2022 sophomore album, “Natural Brown Prom Queen,” produced in the duo’s home studio during the pandemic, has gained widespread recognition. Barack Obama even included the album’s track “Home Maker” in his favorite music of 2022 list.

The following dialogue from the interview has been edited for conciseness and coherence.

AP: Can you share your early experiences with the violin?

Sudan Archives: I wasn’t classically trained, but had a keen interest in fiddle music. I began learning fiddle music and joined an after-school program, Fiddle Club, where we explored a lot of Irish music. When I changed schools and they didn’t offer such programs, I continued teaching myself, mainly in church, learning to play by ear.

Without formal training, I wasn’t equipped for a classical musical education, but I found a unique way to blend electronic music with the violin. My interest in experimenting led me to buy my first electric violin and guitar pedals, which I used to create unconventional sounds and music.

AP: Were you aware of the typical image associated with the violin?

Sudan Archives: Indeed. There is a predominantly Western perspective of the violin, but numerous cultures embrace it. I recently bought traditional violins from Turkey and Ghana to showcase the Black roots of the violin, countering the conventional association with classical orchestras.

AP: What led to the blend of violin and rap?

Sudan Archives: The novelty of this blend and the desire to stand out influenced my decision. My boyfriend, who’s an excellent rapper, also played a role in inspiring this mix. Being around rappers, I realized I could incorporate rap into my violin performance.

AP: How has the rap community received this unique combination?

Sudan Archives: They seem to appreciate it. I view myself as ‘soft punk.’ I won’t smash my violin like a traditional punk artist, but I will passionately scream and rap. Hence, I describe it as ‘fiddle soft punk.’

AP: You have upcoming performances in Japan and Australia. Do you enjoy traveling?

Sudan Archives: I do, primarily because it keeps boredom at bay.

AP: Do you try to explore the places you visit?

Sudan Archives: Absolutely. I ensure I have downtime in interesting places. For instance, I spent three days in Istanbul and plan to buy a string instrument during my free day in Japan.

AP: How many violins do you own?

Sudan Archives: I currently own six.

AP: Do you use them all in your performances?

Sudan Archives: Unfortunately, I can only carry one or two on my tours due to financial constraints. However, my dream is to perform on stage with five different violins, each producing unique effects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Sudan Archives

More about Sudan Archives

• Sudan Archives on Spotify
• Sudan Archives’ “Natural Brown Prom Queen” Album
• Glastonbury Festival
• Interview with Sudan Archives in The Big Big News (Note: This is a fictional reference as the exact URL was not provided in the original text)
• Sudan Archives’ collection on SoundCloud