Louder Than The Music

Louder Than The Music had the opportunity to speak to Becca & Elissa who make up the great band that is The Sonflowers. So sit back, relax and enjoy learning more about this talented band.

How Long have you been The Sonflowerz, tell us a bit of history about the band?

Elissa - The Sonflowerz didn't have a traditional beginning for a band. Our first gigs were invitations from churches to lead worship in our hometown in Colorado. I was about 15 when I picked up the guitar and began singing. Writing songs quickly followed in my times of playing guitar and worshipping God. It was in those times of worship that God put a desire in my heart to play music, although I didn't know that would mean committing the next decade (and more) of my life to traveling and singing. Our first concerts in 1999 were nothing more than hometown shows with family and friends.

Tell us a little bit about your latest album?

Becca - This one is our third release! We joined with producer and Dove award winner Don Koch and brought out our best musically and lyrically. The growth we've had since our first albums is obvious in the 11 tracks, but our mission has remained the same: to worship God and point the way to Him. It's not a traditional worship album, but there is a theme of worship throughout.

What was the inspiration behind the album?

Elissa - Over the course of time since we recorded our second album, I had been writing new songs. Those songs were really the embers that lit up our hope for a new album. We wanted to share them and communicate something new. As a band who travels internationally, and sisters who represent two countries (Britain and the US), we have a message that gives a global perspective to Christianity.

What's your song writing process?

Elissa - I have had a love for writing since I was very young. My inspiration for songs comes from every place you can imagine. I'm always looking for new songs in every day life, on airplanes, in shops, in the Bible, in my relationship with God. A tune comes, or a fresh lyric and I tuck it away on a note card so sometime I can return to work on the idea. The idea can grow into a song that communicates a strong message and often times the lyrics are rewritten to make the tune as powerful as it can be.

Do you find it harder or easier having a sister in your band?

Becca- Elissa and I have a blast doing music together. We're first of all friends, and that makes all the difference. We'll laugh on stage when we share about life on the road as two sisters. We have different personalities but share everything... including clothes and shoes!

Where is the best gig venue you have played at?

Becca- The venue that pops into my head first is "The Forum" in London when we opened for Third Day on June 3rd of this year. It was awesome, and the crowd was so energetic!

Which do you prefer playing live or recording albums?

Becca - Recording is great fun, but playing Live is where I feel the most energy, and purpose to what I do. To see people connecting with the songs, worshiping God and drawing closer to Him - nothing can beat that.

Whats on your iPod at the moment?

Becca - Podcasts! We listen to a lot of sermons on the road through podcast. Just yesterday while we were flying from Pennsylvania to Florida we listened to sermons by Brian Houston at Hillsong and Aaron Stern, our young adults pastor of our church.

You're stuck on an island, its hot, you only have enough battery life left
to listen to one song on your mp3 player. What track is it?

Elissa - That's so hard to choose, because it's a serious thing to be stuck on an island. I don't know what I'd be in the mood for. One of my all-time faves is a song by Sara Groves When the Saints". Listening to the lyrics will move you to tears.

What does the next year hold for The Sonflowerz?

Becca - Touring, touring and more touring! And we're back in the studio, but for a different kind of album. We're putting together some of our favorite Christmas tunes, some originals by Elissa and releasing an EP this winter.If you're like me and love Christmas music, you must check it out!

Read The Album Review for All Over The World

Buy The Sonflowerz Album - All Over The World

View Sonflowerz Video of The Week