For Candice Hoyes, the path to new album Expecting was anything but straightforward. The award-winning singer, songwriter and archivist describes her journey shaped by motherhood, artistic reinvention, and a growing conviction that music and history can be powerful tools for social change.
Her 2015 reimagining of Duke Ellington’s “On a Turquoise Cloud” put her on a completely different plane. The project allowed her to work with some of the world’s leading musicians, although she’s been candid about the resistance she’s encountered when she attempted to bring the lesser-known Ellington material to audiences.
As a young Black woman working not only as a vocalist, but also as a curator and interpreter of Ellington’s work, Hoyes says she frequently found herself dismissed by industry gatekeepers. The experience ultimately prompted her to step back and begin writing music of her own.
That reinvention was fueled in part by her fascination with Zora Neale Hurston, particularly Hurston’s childhood belief that the moon followed her. For Hoyes, the story represents the power of imagination in the face of a difficult reality and helped shape the vision behind Expecting.
The resulting album explores Black joy, divine femininity, and Afro-futuristic jazz and soul. But for Hoyes, Expecting is also part of a larger philosophy — that history can inspire people to become more engaged with their communities, while music can create connections that endure beyond a moment of protest.
Featuring an impressive roster of collaborators, Expecting reflects Hoyes’ belief in bringing distinct voices and artistic perspectives together. I talked with her about the new album, and much more, in the full interview you can hear using the player at the top of the page.
