DD: 1.Hi Jack, Katie and Jacob can you guys tell me a little bit about yourselves before you became a country music group.
Jacob: Jack & I were next door neighbors for 9 years, and we have known each other since we were 5.
Jack: Yeah, Jacob & I go way back. Katie we’ve known for about 5 years now. Before we started the band we were all big music fans. I learned to play guitar in middle school and Jacob had a banjo that got passed down from his Papa.
Katie: When I was a kid I was always singing. I used to sing in the choir and I went to an arts school for middle and high school. So it makes sense that I ended up in a band.
DD: 2. How did you guys form your music group and how did you come up with your group name “Southbound 17?”
Jack: It actually took us a really long time to settle on a name for the band. For a while we kind of made it a game where we would just come up with potential band names. Most of them were awful rhymes or stupid puns. Then we finally settled on “Southbound 17” because when we all live off of Highway 17, and when we drive out to Jacob’s house to practice, we drive southbound. It ended up being a really good fit because it gives us that connection with Charleston.
DD: 3. What are your guys’ favorite songs off your latest EP “Southbound 17?”
Jack: My favorite is “Earthquake”. It was the last song I wrote and the last song we recorded for the EP. We only had like 2 days to get it all worked out and finalize all of our parts before we went into the studio, but we were able to get it all done in time.
Jacob: My favorite song is “Earthquake”, but I think “Crazy Mamas” is the most fun to play live.
Katie: I like “Wanted Sign” because it showcases our instruments in a really fun, upbeat way. It’s my favorite to perform live because it’s so high energy and tells such a fun story. Who wouldn’t want to quit their job and live life on the run?
4. Is there anything new coming up with your music for the rest of 2017?
Katie: Right now we are spending a lot of time working on writing new music for a full length album.
DD: 5. Who are some of your guys’ musical icons?
Jack: Growing up my mom always played Gary Allan and Tim McGraw so they have a big influence on my taste in music. I also really love the lyrics and energy that The Band Perry has on their records and especially their live shows.
Jacob: My favorite band right now is The Avett Brothers. Then I also like Johnny cash & Marty Robbins because they are such good storytellers.
Katie: My musical influences stem from what I heard listening to the radio when I was little. My Dad was always into country so I can remember belting the Dixie Chicks at the top of my lungs in the car, but my Mom was very into classic rock and oldies, so bands like Fleetwood Mac and The Beatles have a strong influence on my music too.
DD: 6. Have you guys learned anything from the artists you opened up for in the past?
Jack: One funny thing that I remember is that Brandy Clark’s assistant told us that if you wear black clothes on stage, people won’t remember your outfit as much and you can wear the same thing more than once. But as far as musically, we learned so much from just watching Brandy perform live. She just has such a great voice and she is one of my favorite songwriters.
Katie: Meeting Mickey Guyton and watching her interact with the crowd at our show was a really cool experience. She does a great job of engaging the audience and is such a genuine person.
DD: 7. Where do you guys see yourselves in the next 5 to 10 years with your music careers?
Jack: As long as we get to keep writing and playing music, I am excited to see where this goes.
Jacob: Hopefully we will get to travel some more and play around in some different cities that we’ve never been to.
Katie: The dream would be being able to sustain ourselves by just playing music.
DD: 8. What are a few of your favorite quotes?
Jack: The other day my mom said “Shoot for the stars, and take what you get” and I really liked that sentiment. It’s like a reminder to dream big, but be thankful for what you get in life.
Katie: One of my favorite quotes is by Jim Carrey when he said “You can fail at something you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance doing what you love.”
Jacob: “The day will come, the sun will rise, & we’ll be fine” by Scott Avett
DD: 9. Is there anything else you guys would like to share?
Jack: Our EP “Southbound 17” is available on iTunes, Spotify, and pretty much anywhere you consume your music. Thanks so much for taking the time to talk to us!
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