Boston Calling is returning to the Harvard Athletic Complex after a two-year pandemic hiatus. This year, the lineup features over 40 artists ranging from headliners like Nine Inch Nails to local independent groups. Ahead of the three-day festival, we’re featuring interviews with a number of local talents from Greater Boston from rock to rap.

One of the local artists at this year’s festival is Ali McGuirk, a soul and blues singer-songwriter originally from Boston who now lives in Burlington, Vt. At the start of her career, she says she “was doing a lot more jazz stuff and a lot more covers,” but has been performing original music full time ever since the release of her debut album Slow Burn in 2017.

GBH spoke with McGuirk at High Street Place, where she performed recently with fellow Boston Calling artist Miranda Rae, about the experience of writing and performing music for people.

“At a baseline, it’s soul music, improvisational,” McGuirk says, describing her music as “a multi-genre experience ... about just kind of jamming and listening to each other.” She hopes her music resonates with audiences in order to “make a real impact on Saturday.”

Get amped for Boston Calling by hearing more from Ali McGuirk alongside other local acts!

GBH will be at the festival from Friday, May 27, through Sunday, May 29, providing updates and coverage on the GBH News social media accounts. Follow along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for updates!

Check out our Boston Calling local Spotify playlist: