Sarah Simmons Interview

It's been three years since Sarah Simmons wowed her way onto the NBC reality show, The Voice. Audiences reacted strongly to Sarah's five-octave range and her uncanny ability to adapt to practically any genre of music.

Though she didn't win, the exposure has been its own reward and her first full-length album, Freedom, released August 26th.

Simmons' new album showcases her pop sensibilities, along with her modern rock influences. Produced by Nashville pro Marshall Altman (Amy Grant, Eric Paslay, Frankie Ballard, Citizen Cope) at House of Blues Studio A, Sarah wrote or co-wrote nearly all of the material. Standout tracks include the hook-laden Southern rocker, 'Honey I'm Fine," and the anthemic closer, 'Staring At The Sun," written over the tragic death of her friend.

Throughout Freedom, Simmons proves she can deliver vocal thrills like Ann Wilson, down home grit like Grace Potter, and soul like Janis Joplin, all with vulnerability and Southern charm.

Born and raised in Birmingham, Ala., Sarah recalls watching classic musical movies with her grandmother who loved the jazz finesse of Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Her dad plied Sarah with the classic rock of Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young and Led Zeppelin. Worship and inspirational music also impacted the future singer, especially as young child singing along with her mother and sister in the car. The end result was 'all kinds of music at a young age that I came to respect and love," she says.

Later in college, she befriended a fellow student who told her about a television show called The Voice. One of the most impressive finalists on the show, Sarah made it to the top seven in 2013.

Interview with Sarah Simmons

Question: What did you learn from your time on The Voice?

Sarah Simmons: I learned first that The Voice is just an experience and stepping stone for your career, it is not your career. I learned to get what you desire in your heart you have to work your butt off, constantly.


Question: How does it feel to have reached over 5 million collective views on your YouTube?

Sarah Simmons: It feels really great to know that people out there are listening to my music all over the world! My band and I have and are working our tails off and to see the other side of that with the following makes it all worth it!


Question: Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry?

Sarah Simmons: I've always gone into the music industry knowing it's a messy business. I didn't know I would meet so many people that would blow smoke so much to me but that is the business and it takes a second to weed through to the right people to have in your corner.


Question: Do you write your own songs? What's your inspiration?

Sarah Simmons: I wrote my lyrics for my album that just released this past August. I wrote all of the songs mostly driving across the states by myself. My inspiration was past pain, loss of my best friend in a tragic accident, and the beauty and freedom I found in the midst of it all.


Question: What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?

Sarah Simmons: I listen to a vast amount of all different kinds of music and artists! I listen to Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam to Lisa Gerrard (soundtrack music), to Etta James and old blues tunes! I love it all and think it's important to let your ears be well rounded to all sounds!


Question: What's next? Tour/Album/Single?

Sarah Simmons: We just finished our seven month tour and are fixing to hit the road again! We will be finishing touring this album Freedom this year. My band and I have already been writing for the second album and will be releasing new music very soon!


Question: Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?

Sarah Simmons: It's always very tempting to think of throwing in the towel but I've gone this far! To make it really all it is...is not giving up and enjoying the ride.

Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Sarah Simmons: I love both! To say I like one over the other would be hard! I think they both support each other very well in that you record to have the music to tour with so both are vital but I enjoy both equally!


Question: What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Sarah Simmons: I've been listening all kinds of music since I was a kid and learned to appreciate all different sounds. My Grandmother got me into old classic artist's such as Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, and my Dad got me into Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix , Crosby Stills Nash & Young, then I was introduced to old blues musicians like Son House, Blind Willie McTell and so forth! I've always know it's what I wanted to do since I was young.


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Sarah Simmons: The biggest challenge I have faced is surrendering my journey! You never know what it's going to look like, which you're going to meet and where you will be! I have found that I have to surrender that every day or I will miss the beauty in it all.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Sarah Simmons: A typical day for me is always different. The past 7 months it was on the road everyday with my band, and we had a blast and got to see all over the country of the US! We definitely want to get overseas soon and will be! When we're not on the road we wake up early, get our work out in, then work on the business aspect of everything and then band rehearsal! To make your career work you have to be willing to put in the time everyday not just to the music but to the business side.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?
Sarah Simmons: My favourite part of being a musician is not just being able to display my heart and soul through sound, but the people, the fans we meet from all over!


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Sarah Simmons: We got to collaborate on tour with a band called The White Buffalo (Jake Smith - Sons of Anarchy, Longmire, etc) and hoping to write a song here with Jake soon. Someone I would dream to collaborate with is Eddie Vedder and for film and TV, Lisa Gerrard! I already got to meet Eddie a couple years ago and that alone was a dream come true.


Question: Do you have a website fans can visit?

Sarah Simmons: To follow us you can go to our website at: SarahSimmonsMusic.com and on social media you can follow us on Twitter at: SarahSimMusic, Instagram: SarahSimmonsOfficial and FB: Sarah Simmons


Interview by Brooke Hunter