Kam Franklin

Kam Franklin plays The Secret Group on Saturday, October 10, at 5 PM. It's an acoustic set followed by a Q&A, and the whole thing is open to the public.

Most of us know Franklin as the frontwoman of the Gulf Coast soul band The Suffers, which she formed in 2011. Her voice has been described as "a rolling Southern gale," and the band has played the Newport Folk Festival, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, and NPR's Tiny Desk. They've also caught the attention of David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel.

Beyond the band, Franklin has built a career that stretches well past the stage. She's a writer, orator, model, actress, visual artist, and entrepreneur, and she's written on race, gender, and the arts for Vice and Forbes. She's also a vocal advocate for more inclusive environments for Black, queer, femme, and non-binary artists.

Her recent work keeps that same wide reach. She contributed vocals to the 2026 Grammy-winning album A Tribute to the King of Zydeco, which honored Clifton Chenier. In 2022, she founded the Bayou City Comeback Chorus and released two EPs with them. She's also a member of Antone's 50th Allstars, whose 2026 debut won an Austin Music Award for Best Blues Album.

This particular afternoon is stripped back: an acoustic set and a Q&A session. Admission is free. The Secret Group is at 2101 Polk St, Houston, TX 77003, and the set starts at 5 PM on Saturday, October 10.