Stella // James is a multi-talented, up and coming country trio formed in Nashville, TN. While members Rachel Bradshaw, Ty Graham & Sarah Davidson grew up in different places they formed a bond through writing songs together & decided to become a band. Within the first 30 seconds of hearing their debut song
Stella they posted as a free download on their website I was a fan. I had the pleasure of conducting in interview with the band via email. Their
Acoustic Demos - Volume 1 - EP is available now on
iTunes.
For someone that is hearing about Stella // James for the first time can you explain how you formed as a band and describe your sound?
Before STELLA // JAMES formed each of us had individually gone through major tragedies in our lives. Last year, we sat down to write music on a cold, beautiful day on Rachel's back porch and unexpectedly we were about to write a song that was about to change all of our lives. We started writing "Songbird" with our good friend Ruston Kelly, with whom we all have written many songs, and all of the sudden a beautiful melody started to move everyone. You could just feel the passion and hope surrounding us. Rachel said, "Hey guys, do you think you would want to be in a band together?" And immediately everyone said "Yes!!". That is the beginning of STELLA//JAMES. Songbird will forever be the song that brought us together and if you carefully listen to the words it all makes total sense. :)
When we started writing music for STELLA//JAMES, we had one primary goal...to write music we were moved by and music we enjoyed listening to. We never want to put our music in a box because that would limit our creativity. Our music is a melting pot of all of our favorite artists (Ryan Adams, Jason Isbell, Fleetwood Mac,Coldplay,Johnny Cash, The Eagles, etc.) It's moving, honest, and each song is different from the next, but all still have our STELLA // JAMES sound.
You released your Acoustic Demos - Volume 1 in the fall of 2015 and are currently working on new music, What is each of your favorite songs on the EP and can you say what the status of new music is?
Ty - Red Flag
Sarah - Stella, because I feel like it embodies the music 'Stella' and it's one of the first songs that we wrote; it set the tone for all music after.
Rachel - Fireflies
We are excited to finally be getting to that point where we get to make a record! We don't have an actual date set for the recording process but it is soon...very soon. :)
What are a few of your goals career wise that you would like to achieve in the next 5-10 years?
A dream come true would be to sing at the Opry. It's such a milestone for any band or artist to be able to stand on that stage and be accepted into the Nashville community while singing your music. How special. We can't wait until we have the opportunity to do that...
What is each of your favorite part(s) of being able to make & perform music for a living?
Ty - Getting to connect with people on a profound level and freeing people from concern.
Sarah - Performing is what i've always dreamed of doing; Its the ultimate life.
Rachel - Being onstage is the best feeling in the world. When you have dreams and aspirations, you can really see it pay off when you are onstage.
If you had the opportunity to open for anyone in country who would you choose and why?
Ryan Adams, Fleetwood Mac or Jason Isbell just for starters would be insane. We all are HUGE fans of all of these artists and would be so humbled if that opportunity ever presented itself. From their stage presences to their deep rooted lyrics and amazing vocals, they would all be such a good fit for STELLA // JAMES to collaborate with.
Just For Fun Questions:
What is each of your guilty pleasure foods?
Ty - Pizza
Sarah - Pizza, chicken fingers
Rachel - Pizza. Pizza all day, every day. I am obsessed.
Who are each of your celeb crushes?
Ty - Ashley Monroe
Sarah - Jonathan Taylor Thomas....Just Kidding. Liam Hemsworth
Rachel - Liam Hemsworth, Kevin Costner, Richard Gere.
Most played song on your phone?
Ty - Magazine by Aubrey Sellers
Sarah - I Lost You
Rachel - Ryan Adams' remake of the Taylor Swift 1989 record, Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton.
Any hidden talents?
Ty - Drawing
Sarah - Stylist
Rachel - Yoga
Most embarrassing moment onstage?
Ty - Guitar fell over
Rachel - One time we were doing a show in Illinois and were playing our song "Fireflies" and I told everyone I was going to play piano and I literally butchered the entire song. I almost started laughing in the middle of the song because it was so embarrassing!
You can find STELLA // JAMES at:
