SOUL’D WITH ERIC ROBERSON
9 p.m., Juanita’s. $15-$40.
Traveling to bigger metropolitan areas inevitably provokes “If only Little Rock had _____” discussions.
Usually, those wants and wishes die at the end of the conversation. Not so for Jason Marshall, 24, and Jennifer Jackson, 32. After the pair traveled to Dallas to see smooth soul man Muziq Soulchild, they wondered why more neo-soul acts weren’t coming to Little Rock. Some research, a few calls and connections made here and there and the two had formed Upscale Underground, a booking and promotional company focused on showcasing national talent that, they believe, hasn’t gotten appropriate shine.
Upscale means classy, laidback — an event removed from the beefs, aggression and misogyny of the clubs. Underground, like in most musical contexts, suggests artists who fly under the mainstream radar.