With their brand-new single, “World Without You” dropping this Friday (March 3, 2023), country duo Southerland sets their sights on continuing to capitalize on the buzz set in motion in 2022 while elevating to the next level. We recently had the chance to check in with the duo and talk with them about their new single, their distinctively modern kissed throwback sound, how each release last year moved them forward most, what the near future holds for them after this song releases, and much more!
(Interview by: Jeffrey Kurtis)
1) Your overall sound is rich with modern tendencies, but clearly learned its approach from the classic country mindset. In what ways do you feel that your perfect blending of these two styles makes your music stand out most in a very crowded country music scene?
For us, it's to be unique but also familiar at the same time. We want to be undeniably Southerland but want folks who gravitate to 90s/2000s or to todays music to hear our songs and feel a connection to them.
2) You both started out as solo acts before coming together as a duo. Why did it make more sense to you for y’all to come together and officially form Southerland after the first meeting in 2016?
We had both been playing shows together prior to Southerland forming so we already had that “duo” connection. After a while, we realized that we together were so much stronger than us as individuals. There was just something special about it.
3) Speaking of meeting, pretty cool that you originally met through a songwriting session with Ray Fulcher. So, let’s talk songwriting for a few questions! What is your approach to it? Music first? Lyric first?
Honestly, it's day by day. Sometimes we come into the writing room and have an entire story planned out, and other days you have nothing. It's just about getting in the room and working that songwriting “muscle.” After enough reps, magic eventually comes out.
4) When you’re writing a song for yourselves to record versus pitching it to someone else, is there a different vibe and feel that you’re trying to accomplish, or do you just write what you feel and see where it best fits?
We write the best song in the room that day no matter what. Best song always wins. We never try to force any kind of music or chase any certain artist when writing songs.
5) Moving into your song releases; 2022 was a big year for you with “Down The Road,” “Underpaid & Overserved,” and “Ice Cold Country Music.” In what ways did each of those single releases move you forward most while also strongly connecting with your audience as you continued to build it?
Our goal has been, and always will be, to try and get music to the fans as fast and smart as we can. We want people to get a well-rounded picture of who Southerland is and who we want to be. Whether that’s a cold beer drinking song or a heart on our sleeve love song. The more music the better.
6) You’re kicking off 2023 with the release of your brand-new single, “World Without You.” Tell us a little bit about the song.
Matt got engaged to his soon to be wife Abbie and wanted to write a song for her. Something that was just so honest like he was talking directly to her. It wasn't to try and create the best love song you ever heard, but to capture that honesty and that realness that he couldn't live a world without her.
7) In what ways will this song showcase the signatures that your fans have come to know and love from you thus far, but also in what ways do you feel that this song will give them something a little different and unexpected?
This song is our hearts on the table. We went through a season of focusing on “live show” energetic songs, but it was time to show them our soft side as well. Especially with Chris having been recently married and Matt soon to be married; it fits our current stage of life. Also, it continues to showcase the versatility of our music. How we swap off on the lead vocals and how the instrumentation continues to focus on that live band sound.
8) Is this song, as well as the others, part of a bigger project or are they stand-alone singles for right now? If part of a bigger project, is there an expected release date yet?
It is the next piece in what is soon to be a bigger project. We haven't released any details on that as of yet but stay tuned. They’re coming real soon!
9) Moving over to the road dates for a question; y’all have been road warriors all year so far. Talk to us about the tour. How did the new song go over with the crowd?
This year has been some of the best shows we have ever played. We have been out opening for Frank Foster as of recently and his fans have really welcomed us with open arms. Big road year for us. Can’t wait for what's next.
This song has seemed to really connect with audiences. Even though it was written for Matt and Abbie’s story, we want the fans to consider it theirs as well. We hope they relate it to their personal stories too.
10) What one piece of advice can you offer to someone who is just starting out and trying to break into the music industry?
Run your own race. Don't get caught up in the comparison game and the wild world that is social media. Be yourself. Be honest. Be the artist that you dreamed of being when you were young. Keep at it and keep trusting your gut.