Durban-based country pop duo Connecting Stars has taken the American country world by storm after smashing into the Billboard Adult Contemporary charts at number 30 with their single Stuck, just days before they set off to play several dates across America. Represent chatted to them about the whole experience…
1. You’re number 28 on the Adult Contemporary Billboard Chart, an accomplishment for a South African duo. What does that mean to you?
Getting onto the chart has been an amazing achievement for us as band. It is difficult to put into words, because we know with radio play there are no guarantees and even getting a song play-listed isn’t easy. So getting on the charts has been mind blowing for us and we are just so thrilled that our music has been so well received.
2. Please tell us more about your American tour?
We have just returned from our 2 week whirlwind mini tour of the USA from 14-28 August. After achieving our first chart success in the US we wanted to introduce our live performance to the US market and we were privileged to perform at 4 iconic venues in the US where many bands got their start. In New York we played at the Rockwood Music Hall, in Nashville at Tin Roof, in Los Angeles at Room 5 Lounge and in San Diego at Lestats. We received an extremely positive reception from audiences and venue management alike and were unanimously invited to return. During our performances we got to meet and network with many local US bands and plan to collaborate with a number of them in future trips.
We were also able to meet with a number of influential music industry stakeholders to expand our strategy in the US market including record label, publishing, radio promotion, public relations, booking and management executives. We also managed to fit in a number of TV, radio, magazine and online publication interviews and appearances.
3. How’s the music that side different to S.A’s music scene?
The main difference is the size of the market. There are literally thousands of radio stations and hundreds of cities you can tour to. There are also thousands of bands trying to make it in the industry so there a lot of competition.
4. Out of all the cities you visited during your tour, which one would you say was your favourite?
It is difficult to choose one, but I think it would be a toss us between San Diego and Nashville.
5. How do you find a balance of being a couple and musicians? Does it all come together and become one?
It is has always felt quite natural for us and we seem to complement each other. Cheryl is the creative, spontaneous, disorganized one and Martin is also creative, but he has the business sense, the plan and loves everything to be organized and orderly. So we definitely know how to drive the other crazy, but at the same time balance each other out.
6. Would you say this has been one of your highlights in your music career?
Yes, touring the US has been one of the highlights of our music career. This scouting tour has definitely opened doors for us, connected us with other like-minded musician and a number of influential music industry stakeholders. Our music was well received by our audiences and we look forward to our next trip.
7. Tell us more about your new album, what were the inspirations?
Our album is self-titled and has a Country pop, adult contemporary feel, which appeals to lots of different people. It blends heartfelt lyrics with memorable melodies and understated, yet moving production. What inspires us to write music is our family, friends and life experiences, which make our songs easy to relate to. Cheryl wrote most of the songs when their son was in hospital. Their son was born with a twisted small intestine and he was hospitalized several times. It was during this time that Cheryl used song writing as a therapy, to get through a difficult period.
8. Who writes your songs and what kind of stories do you like to tell?
On our first album Cheryl has written all the songs, the 12 tracks take the listener on a musical and lyrical journey spanning the lofty highs and crushing lows of love found, lost or betrayed as well as the confusion and helplessness when loved ones die or suffer needlessly.
9. How would you describe your live shows musically and visually?
We do a full band show or a more stripped down unplugged set. In the full band show we have drums, bass and electric guitar added to our own acoustic and piano driven sound. The centre of our live sound is in our powerful vocal harmonies. Visually we engage strongly with each other and the audience. The shows are always very intimate and the audience is let into our world.
10. How does music affect you and the world around you?
I love writing songs, it is an outlet for me and it always helps me to work through different emotions and experiences. My songs are real and honest and at first I felt nervous about being so vulnerable, but I’ve realized that sharing my journey and experiences have helped others to overcome certain difficulties their lives. We have a fan that lives just outside of New York with an Auto Immune problem and our music somehow helped him through a difficult time. He wrote,
“The first song I hear every morning right now is “Pieces”. It has become my anthem in some strange way. The last week has been very enlightening and I feel so blessed. I get fitted for an Auditory Assist Device tomorrow which will help recover some more of my hearing in my bad ear. The ringing is mostly gone. Your music helped me get there. Thank You Cheryl”
It is experiences like this that make it all worthwhile.
