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Seven years ago, Chris Rogers, from Washington, GA and Matt Chase from Charleston, SC started a band called Southerland, a country music band inspired from 90s country music. Though their music is inspired by the 90s, they incorporate their own spin on each song they write/release and perform. According to Matt, "When you start playing in a certain genre people tend to keep you in that same genre throughout your career". By adding their own spin to music, Southerland feels they are able to get inspiration from other genres, like rock, and do not feel they have to stick to just one. He said, "We get painted in that 90s country, and I do not disagree with that, but I think we are more than that."
Matt and Chris both get inspiration from not only their own life experiences, but from what they hear and see on a day-to-day basis. "Our favorite thing as songwriters comes from our stories, but we want fans to see themselves in our music and we want to paint that perfect story for them [the fans]."
They feel that they are most inspired when they are hanging out with friends and loved ones. Matt says, "Music has always been a part of our lives. I did not grow up in a music focused family, but Chris did. Music is one of the things I found my gift at, and that's how we got connected." Chris said he grew up with music being a big part of his family, which influenced him at a young age.
Most of Southerland's songs have a story to tell and that is especially true with the songs on their new EP. Matt wrote a song, 'World Without You', about his soon-to-be-wife. Chris also gets inspiration from his wife; he surprised her with the song '3 Minutes' on their wedding day, which will also be released on the new EP.
'Ain't for Me' was inspired by a fan who was at one of their cover shows at Skybar, a college bar in Auburn. Chris said, "At about 1:30 a.m., halfway through the set an 8-foot guy, wearing a cowboy hat, said 'I really want to hear 'Strawberry Wine', and I said, "You sure you don't want 'Dixieland Delight'?" The guy said, "It's not for me. It's for her", (pointing to the girl he was with)." Later on, they sat down with Dylan Altman to write and play music, and talked about the story at Skybar. Once Altman started to play "I [Chris] was like 'that is it'. From the time I was sitting in Auburn to when writing this in Nashville we knew (the song) was something special."
For Southerland and their fans, they have a lot of exciting events that are coming up. "Every decision and song are 100% dedicated to them [the fans]. We are in the fun stage and are excited for a bunch of music and tour dates coming their way".
Southerland will be playing in the CMA Fest on The Hard Rock Stage, June 9th. "This was a bucket list for us," they agreed. This year will be their first time playing on an official CMA Fest stage. They are scheduled at the Mosquito Fest in McCrory, Arkansas on May 20th.
Southerland wants their fans to know them and to be able to experience all of their life stages with them. "Our ultimate goal is familiarity, to feel some sort of love for our music, that is country and more band-led." For more information and/or merchandise, go to Southerlandmusic.com and visit their socials Facebook @southerland and Instagram @southerlandmusic.
To their Southerland fans, they said, "We want you to come to our shows and just have fun!"
The new EP is set to be released Friday April 21st, and will have six songs on it: Down the Road, Underpaid and Overserved, Ice Cold Country Music, World Without You, 3 Minutes, and Ain't For Me.
Down The Road - Matt Chase, Chris Rogers, Jim Beavers, Derek George
Underpaid and Overserved - Matt Chase, Chris Rogers, Greg Bates, Jeff Middleton
Ice Cold Country Music - Matt Chase, Chris Rogers, Greg Bates, Jeff Middleton
World Without You - Matt Chase, Chris Rogers, Jessi Alexander
3 Minutes - Matt Chase, Chris Rogers, Greg Bates, Marv Green
Ain't For Me - Matt Chase, Chris Rogers, Dylan Altman
photo cred Justin Mayotte
