Premiere: Salti Ray – “Luxury”

This morning, Spartanburg’s Salti Ray offer a sneak peek of their new single “Luxury” in advance of their performance at the Royal American tomorrow night for The Sickest Party of the Year. “Luxury” is their first new music release since their debut EP The Right Thing was released in the fall of 2020. The track is an indie rock banger that explores the impact that the pandemic had both on the members of Salti Ray an the state of South Carolina.

Like the rest of Salti Ray’s music, “Luxury” was recorded at Clemson University. This one is a co-write between vocalist Mary Norris, guitarist Noelle Taylor, and the band’s former bassist Jacob Lightsey while they discussed their own individual takes on how the pandemic brought out the worst in some of our State’s leadership and residents.

“I debated whether or not to leave the state and if so, did that mean I was giving up on my community and myself?” Mary explains. “We saw a general lack of empathy and disregard for others by our government and our peers at the time that was truly disheartening – not just with the virus, but how Black people were being treated and have continued to be treated by law enforcement, along with other events occurring at the time. The lives and safety of some are constantly exploited for the luxury of others. We see it in our queerness, our womanhood, and in our Black peers.”

Catch Salti Ray performing “Luxury” and more tomorrow night at The Royal American for the first Extra Chill-hosted live music event since before the pandemic. Joining Salti Ray will be Charleston’s ultimate dance party band, 2 Slices, as well as club sensation, rapper, and comedian DJ DollaMenu. Show starts at 9pm, tickets are $10 at the door. See you there!

Listen to “Luxury” by Salti Ray below.