ARTIST INTERVIEW: THE SPRINGS

I N T E R V I E W

      T H E   S P R I N G S

Full Names: 
Holly Carol Helms and Stewart Elijah Halcomb

Ages: 
Holly, 22 & Stewart, 24

Hometown/currently live:

Holly, New Market, AL

Stewart, Enterprise, AL.

We both live in Nashville, TN now.

What made you want to start writing songs?

For me, I met a couple, Donny and Susan Grace that was involved with NSAI while I was singing at a karaoke contest in Guntersville, AL. They came up and introduced themselves to me and asked me if I had ever thought about writing and I was about 16 at the time so I was young and didn't really know much about writing so I hadn't. They sort of took me under their belt and helped me get started. -Holly

My high school was hit by a tornado in March of 2007. That day I went home and wrote my very first song. I realized in that moment how much music can really touch lives and how you can influence so many people with such little words. -Stewart

 Do you play any instruments? Did you teach yourself?

I can play a couple chords on the guitar haha. Stewart is MUCH better than I am at guitar! I can play a good tambourine hahah! -Holly

Who are your biggest musical inspirations?

Mine would have to be LeAnn Womack.

She's so soulful and country and I love it.

Probably Conway Twitter or Garth Brooks. I grew up on them so they were a huge influence in my music and writing -Stewart

Where do you get inspiration to write your songs?

I would say from each other and from the people we are around! Our love for each other is expressed in a lot of our music on our new album! We try to be happy people haha. -Stewart

Favorite songs you have written/co-written?

My favorite is probably a song we wrote called "21". I lost my grandmother and cousin both in drunk driving incidents. Stewart lost a good friend in one back in Dec of 2013 so that song is very special to the both of us and we wrote it together.

-Holly

What moment in your music career is your favorite so far?

I think just being able to be on stage together every night and being able to travel together is the best thing ever. Our relationship and career is so healthy and just awesome because we aren't apart that much!

-Stewart

Finish this sentence…if I could write a song for or with anyone I would choose______.

If I could write a song for someone if would be Carrie Underwood. There's a song on our new album called "Don't Tell Him That" that I think would be perfect for her haha -Holly

If I could write a song with and for someone it would be Garth Brooks. The man is a genius and such an awesome artist! I'd love to have that opportunity haha. -Stewart

Where do you see yourself in a year? 5 years?

In a year we will be getting married haha, so probably wedding planning and playing music at the same time haha. In 5 years hopefully with a big song cut by an artist or maybe even one of our songs with us singing it on the radio haha! -Holly

If I wasn"t a songwriter I would be…

I originally wanted to be a pediatrician so I would probably still be in school for that haha -Stewart

A news anchor. -Holly

I'm afraid of ______.

I am afraid of falling on stage. I always wear heels and my ankles are so wobbly. I am waiting to pull a Luke Bryan haha! -Holly

I never get tired of_______.

I never get tired of music. Although we are around it all the time singing and songwriting is in my blood. Even if we are on vacation it's what we listen to and it's all we talk about haha. -Stewart

Okay, I always ask people to tell me one thing about themselves that is random or strange that most people don"t know!

Holly is very socially awkward. Once you REALLY get to know her she's fine but she is very shy in her own way when you first meet her haha. -Stewart

Stewart was valedictorian of his high school class. He's VERY smart. I call him a closet nerd haha. -Holly

Holly and Stewart are giving away 7 FREE SONGS AND EXCLUSIVE ACCESS at www.thespringsband.com.

S T AY  C O N N E C T E D
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SPECIAL THANKS TO HOLLY AND STEWART FOR THIS INTERVIEW! I AM SO EXCITED TO HAVE MET THEM AND VEEN ABLE TO SHARE THEIR INTERVIEW WITH YALL!!

ARTIST INTERVIEW: OLIVIA LANE

I N T E R V I E W

OLIVIA JOY LANE

Age:

Newly 23! 

Hometown/currently live:

I was born and raised in Houston, Texas but Nashville is my current home.

What made you want to start writing songs?

The first song I ever wrote was called "Indiana" and it was about me and my high school boyfriend breaking up right before college. I was DEVASTATED. I was searching for a way to get this emotion out of system so I decided to try and write my feelings out and then put the words to a melody that captured the sadness I was feeling; Then I was hooked to songwriting.  For me, it's an emotional release but also about connecting with other's who might be experiencing the same emotions I am.

Do you play any instruments? Did you teach yourself?

I do! I've been playing guitar since about 8th grade and then recently I picked up the mandolin which is SO fun! About 4 months ago my producer Ilya Toshinskiy mentioned I should learn to play mando and I was like "HAH yeah suuuure" and he was like "No...you really should". So I ended up picking it up and teaching myself! Since the mandolin is pretty predominant in my sound and production, it made total sense. It's such a fun instrument to play! Currently I'm toying around with a harmonica. I don't read music very well, just learn and play by ear!

Who are your biggest musical inspirations?

OH boy…there are so many. I would say the big female voices out there like Trisha Yearwood, Linda Ronstadt, Patty Loveless, Sara Evans, Patsy Cline…the list goes ON! I listen to every genre from The Eagles to Michael Jackson so my musical inspirations vary from all walks of music. 

Where do you get inspiration to write your songs?

Everyone. Everywhere. Everything in my life. It's hard to pinpoint where exactly the ideas in my head come from. Some songs are very personal while other's come from a melody that popped into my head or a story I heard that I liked. The process is so dynamic but that's what makes it fun!

Favorite songs you have written/co-written?

I would have to say my single "Steal Me Away." I wrote it pretty soon after I moved to Nashville and I was on CLOUD 9 after the songwriting session with my producer and Lee Thomas Miller, the other co-writers. I called my manger and said "I'M SO EXCITED THIS SONG IS GOING TO BE ON THE EP!" and he said "Well we'll see you've got 6 more months of writing." He had a point but I've heard artists talking about these "gut feelings" about songs and this was for sure a gut feeling happening with "Steal Me Away." 

What moment in your music career is your favorite so far?

Theres so many!!! But I'll talk about 2 highlights. I'm on a radio tour currently for my song "Steal Me Away" so hearing it on the radio has been pretty mind-blowing!!! The other highlight was performing back in February at Galveston Mardi Gras. It was INSANE! The energy from the crowd mixed with the insane fun my band and I have onstage, it was incredible!!! My guitar got nailed with a huge bulky mardi gras necklace…it was stressful and amazing all at the same time.

Finish this sentence…if I could write a song for or with anyone I would choose______. 

WITH THE EAGLES!!! 

Where do you see yourself in a year?           

In a year I want to be touring steadily, continuously building a long term career and meeting as many people as I can!

5 years?

In 5 years I hope to be singing my songs along with crowds of any size, coffee shops to stadiums! I just want to meet as many people as I can, have fun with what I'm doing and put a smile on someone's face with my music. 

If I wasn't a songwriter I would be…

A Zumba instructor (which I did in college and LOVED it) or a kindergarten teacher.

I"m afraid of ______.

Doctor shots. I HATE THEM. Terrified.

I never get tired of_______.

Cupcakes :) 

 Okay, I always ask people to tell me one thing about themselves that is random or strange that most people don"t know! ​

I sleep with the covers over my head and make a little breathing hole so I don't suffocate. It's SO bizarre. I use to do it because I was afraid of the dark but now it's just habit. Also my head gets cold. I should probably invest in a sleeping night cap or something. 

F O L L O W   O L I V I A 
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Special thanks to Olivia for taking this time to work with me on this interview! I am a huge fan of her music and cannot wait to see the success she has in the future!

Images Provided || OliviaLane.com

Friday Favorite: Bravos "Southern Charm"

It’s pretty apparently that I’m from the south. What does this mean? Well, I ADORE anything and everything that represents where I am from.

The South is a place were we drink from Mason Jars, wear Vineyard Vines, attend fancy dinner parties, have a close group of core friends, and where we fight, bicker, and steal each others love interest. Wait…what??

When I tell all y’all I’m obsessed with a new Bravo show I’m not kidding. Southern Charm is a fairly new show that recently just finished it's first season run. The show is based in Charleston, SC: an old, historic city, full of drama and attractive people. 

{MEET THE CAST:}

What makes a good show? A good cast! I love the people on this show. Each one of them is super different and helps make the show interesting in their own ways. The show consists of a law student, a film maker, a former state treasurer, and other aspiring business men and women. 

{Here Are A Few of My Favorites}

Let's face it, the show wouldn't be all that great without Thomas Ravenel. Thomas is a former SC state treasure, the son of a former congressman, and a guy that's got his hands on just about everything. He is a business man, a ladies man, and now a daddy to a beautiful little girl with co-star Kathryn Dennis. Everyone meet Kensington Calhoun Ravenel!

If I had to compare myself and my lifestyle to anyone on the show it would have to be that of Cameran Eubanks. She is a sweet, laid back, funny, social, and southern beauty. I love that on the show she is always out with the guys giving them advice and just hanging out. This just shows how laid-back she truly is. *In related news, Cameran got married to her longtime beau! Look at how beautiful she looked! So timeless and classic.*

Now, on to the very best part of Southern Charm…his name? Shepard "Shep" Rose. Everyone is always drawn to the most attractive person, the ladies man, the bad boy, and the guy with the best sense of humor. Is it safe to say that Shep is all of these wrapped up in one? He, in my opinion, is what makes this show. I love his casual crazy antics, laid-back nature, and fantastic sense of humor. 

{Some Of My Favorite Quotes/Moments:}

-"The typical Charleston guy has PSS to the tenth degree, which is Peter Pan Syndrome." {Cameran Eubanks}-

-"I am mildly attracted to you." {Shep Rose}-

-"You can join the Yacht Club. She can join the Junior League." {Cameran Eubanks}-

Southern Charm has recently finished it's first season on air. To watch past episodes visit Bravo.com or check local listings. 

HERE'S HOPING FOR SEASON 2!

{All photos courtesy of Bravo.}