Kimaya Diggs / Omar Ruiz-Lopez

Musician, songwriter, poet, and producer Kimaya Diggs returns with her expansive new collection, Green, out October 2. Green showcases twelve tracks of glittering, genre-bending indie pop, carried by Diggs’ powerful, honeyed vocals, and honest, attentive lyricism. The album sees Diggs as lead producer, and features a roster of Nashville and Western Massachusetts musicians, including Nashville-based harpist Lizzie No, drummer Eric Slick of Dr. Dog, and Chicago’s Sen Morimoto. In its production, Green is heavily anchored by the lineage of Black soul and R&B. Diggs has earned a place on stages alongside Mavis Staples, Emily King, Trombone Shorty, Madison McFerrin, and Tank & The Bangas. On Green, it’s clear Diggs has been forced to harden herself against the heartbreak that comes along with loving and being loved, but it would be foolish to mistake her hard-won grit for surliness aimed toward the world. It’s this very grit that shapes her love into something more capacious and ever-expanding. Her softness is in turn reserved for herself, the ones closest to her, and the earth. It’s this faithful preservation that serves as Green’s trustworthy tether. https://open.spotify.com/artist/2htDUAwQ43hKvaGxAobgSB?si=Oe0BJD1SS8CB2ALNQGczzQ ----- Omar Ruiz-Lopez (he/they) is a Latin-Americana artist whose music bridges old-time, Celtic, and Brazilian fiddle traditions with indie folk songwriting. A bilingual singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Omar brings classical training, emotional depth, and a cross-cultural perspective to the stage. Omar calls North Carolina home, and has been part of the Triangle music scene since 2010. Omar lived in Nashville from 2023-25 and has played and recorded with artists including as the GRAMMY-nominated band War and Treaty, Franklin Jonas, Lizzie No and Langhorne Slim, and co-written with songwriters such as Rachel Baiman and GRAMMY-nominated Melody Walker (Sierra Ferrell, American Dreaming). He is currently working on an EP with Willa Frank (Paper Wings) and a full-length album with Rachel Baiman producing. Omar co-founded the Americana group Violet Bell with Lizzy Ross and from 2016-2024 their collaboration seamlessly intertwined top-notch songwriting with a variety of musical landscapes. — Born in Panama and raised in Puerto Rico, Omar's early exposure to traditional Caribbean folk songs, courtesy of his father, laid the foundation for his deep appreciation for music. A bilingual songwriter and undercover composer, Omar crafts music that beautifully reflects his cultural roots entwined with a rich tapestry of diverse musical influences. With a wealth of experience in music business, production, and engineering, Omar is both a skilled performer and a dedicated educator. His role as a Teaching Artist underscores his commitment to shaping the next generation of musicians. His extensive teaching expertise extends to coaching chamber music ensembles and conducting. This includes a 10-year period of having worked with Kidznotes in Durham, the non-profit free orchestral music program for kids ages K-12. As a Latiné immigrant and a versatile musician spanning multiple genres, Omar has a unique ability to connect with diverse international audiences. His music serves as a bridge, fostering understanding and appreciation across cultural boundaries.