So let us tell you a little bit about Sons of Daughters…Sons of Daughters are a modern, gritty, country duo comprised of Chrystal Leigh and Jimmy Thow, hailing from Vancouver, BC, now based in Nashville, Tennessee.
The move to the home of country music proved to be a game-changer for the duo. Since then, they have collaborated with numerous Grammy-nominated, hit songwriters, and have showcased at the iconic Bluebird Cafe, The Listening Room, and Nashville’s favorite Monday night party, Whiskey Jam. They landed a US tour with acclaimed indie rock acoustic folk group, Birdtalker, and gigs at large-scale festivals such as CMA-fest and Boots & Hearts.
Recorded with Grammy and CMA nominated producer Brad Hill (Brothers Osborne, Maren Morris) and co-produced by Jimmy Thow, the duo has recently released three songs, including; “Can’t Find Love In A Bar,” “Ain’t Gonna Be Lonely Long,” and “What If We Stay.” They are committed to carving their own unique sound in the modern country scene through captivating vocal harmonies, swampy guitar riffs and catchy lyrics, and the industry is already rooting for their continued success.
Now they’re competing for the title of all titles SiriusXM Top of the Country and only you can help them achieve it but first we thought you’d like to know more about Chrystal and Jimmy.
Sons of Daughters
SCE: Let’s talk about some highlights for a minute: 1 Million+ Streams since Aug 1 and Top 40# hit at Canadian Country Radio with “Ain’t Gonna Be Lonely Long”, Played festivals such as Boots & Hearts and Cavendish Beach Music Festival in 2018. Toured America with Birdtalker throughout August – September 2018, You appeared on Season 1 of The Launch on CTV and AC/DC’s Brian Johnson had this to say after he first heard you perform: “Your voices sound like you came from the same womb”. And now here you are in the top 8 vying for the title Top of the Country. What do you hope to take out of the this competition, win or lose?
Chrystal: Well, we already won the opportunity to record one of our favorite songs in the studio and on top of that we also have a music video for it now so that’s a big win. I just love doing anything that brings the Canadian Country music community closer together. Even though it’s a competition I also feel a sense of camaraderie with all the other contestants. If we win, I plan to take with me a sense of gratitude, pride, inspiration and an increase in my bank account lol. And if we lose, I plan on taking with me an amazing experience and memory, gratitude and encouragement for being chosen to participate in the first place.
Jimmy: We stayed underground writing and recording for years before releasing anything so it’s been really exciting to watch our music get out there and reach people. I am excited to show the whole country what we’ve been up to.
SCE: You’re a country music duo but your debut EP “Pick Your Poison” was created with a team that included Mike Fraser (ACDC, Metallica and Aerosmith) as well as Jeff Johnson who has worked with Wes Mack, Dallas Smith and countless others over the years. How do you so smoothly marry the hard rock influences with your country influences to create a sound that, clearly, captivates your audience and makes us want to hear more?
Chrystal: This is something that happened very naturally for us and it’s suiting that it did given mine and Jim’s dynamic. Jimmy and I are very alike, just how country and rock ‘n roll has similarities, but we are also quite different, and I believe it’s our differences combined that makes SOD what it is.
Jimmy: Good songs are good songs regardless of genre. I think country comes really naturally to us in terms of the storytelling and the way our voices work together. We don’t mind dialing back the distortion …. sometimes, but I’d be lying if said I’m not trying to sneak rock riffs passed the gate.
SCE: If you could own any make, model or style of vehicle what would you own?
Chrystal: 1991 Toyota 4-Runner in perfect condition please.
Jimmy: If it could be any vehicle I would own Falcon Heavy cause it’s worth 90 million and I would sell it back to Elon Musk and buy a bunch of recording gear and guitars. But to answer this more reasonably, I’ve always loved the Harley Davidson Fat boy , rode an ‘06 for years it’s was a beautiful bike.
SCE: Favourite TV show (all-time)?
Chrystal: It went from Breaking Bad, to Game of Thrones to Schitt’s Creek.
Jimmy: It had to be Ninja Turtles, when I was younger I was Raphael the misunderstood turtle.
SCE: If you could tour with any artist, of any genre, who is still alive today who would it be?
Chrystal: The Rolling Stones please.
Jimmy: The Cadillac Three
SCE: iPhone, Android or Pixel?
Chrystal: Would a Pigeon messenger suffice?
Jimmy: iPhone
SCE: Your ideal brain food?
Chrystal: Cheese! It actually breaks the food brain barrier! And I’m 100 percent addicted!
Jimmy: Almond butter I eat it by the spoon fool
SCE: Stress management: hit man, spa vacation or Prozac?
Chrystal: Is a spa vacation on Prozac okay?
Jimmy: Meditation
SCE: If you could be any superhero who would you be?
Chrystal: Batman!!!
Jimmy: Silver surfer so I could surf on silver
SCE: Multiple Part Question: Star Trek or Star Wars? If Star Trek pick from the following (Original series, TNG, Deep Space Nine, Voyageur, Enterprise, Discovery or all of them I’m a Trekkie). If Star Wars pick from the following (original trilogy, second trilogy (aka Episodes I-III), third trilogy, spin offs, or all of them I love Star Wars and I’ll watch it as long as it has the words Star Wars on it).
Chrystal: Star Wars original trilogy. I’ve never seen Star Trek.
Jimmy: I have always loved space! I’m a big fan of both. I don’t think you can beat return of the Jedi its so epic. But in the Star Trek world, even though generation was really good, you cant mess with Jim Kirk. The guy is a legend and he fought a lizard man once, didn’t see Luke skywalker do that …. just saying
SCE: In “Sons of Daughters, Our Story” – The Movie, who would play you?
Chrystal: Keith Richards lol but if it has to be a girl….Rose McGowan.
Jimmy: My bands sacrificed a lot and gone through a lot of trials and tribulations over the years. I would pick somebody who is resilient maybe Mickey Rourke. Plus he looks cool with a black eye.
SCE: What’s been the highlight of your career to date?
Chrystal: Our tour with Birdtalker was one of the most memorable experiences to date. We got to see so many new places in America with some of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met. Birdtalker fans are all wonderful and attentive people and I swear we could hear a pin drop in the crowd during our entire set. It was a magical experience.
Jimmy: A highlight for me was having our first single get to #13 on Billboard in Canada. Pretty cool to share those slots with some amazing acts.
SCE: Many artists we’ve worked with have crazy pre-show traditions or superstitions, if you will, that they must partake in before they’ll set foot on the stage. What is a must for you before every show?
Chrystal: Group hugs!!!
Jimmy: Before every show I usually warm up my voice for about 5 minutes, stay away from smoking anything for at least a few hours before singing, I also like to meditate and visualize how I want everything to go on stage.
SCE: Take a moment to tell country fans across Canada why they should come and vote for you to be Canada’s next Top Country Star!
Chrystal: Because we won’t let them down! No matter what, we’re going to run with the momentum and keep on writing, releasing, touring and working our butts off, but the exposure and money that comes with winning can really help with the process.
Jimmy: There’s a lot of deserving artist in this group. I guess if I was to sell my case, i would say people should vote for my band because we’ve taken no short cuts to get here, we’ve put decades into our crafts and we don’t know how to stop chasing a great song, so help support us on our journey!
SCE: When the dust clears on Top of The Country and festival season what does the next year hold for Sons of Daughters?
Chrystal: My guess is next year will be full of writing music, recording music and playing shows. I’ve got my fingers crossed for a major tour, whether it be Canadian, American, European or Japan…I just want to tour, tour, tour!!!
Jimmy: After the dust clears we will be in the thick of releasing a new single and music video! Along with a really busy summer of playing all around Canada and the US. We’re so grateful to be a part of SiriusXM Top of the Country, thanks!
Something tells us win or lose this competition the name Son’s of Daughters is going to be around for a while. If you are just hearing it for the first time in this interview be sure to check them out here: www.sonsofdaughters.com you’ll be glad you did. You can catch them at various festivals this summer including, one of our annual favourites, Lucknow Music In the Fields!
Don’t forget the only way for them to win this competition is if you vote and you have TWO days left to vote so get on your computer, phone, or whatever you use to access the internet and VOTE. You can vote daily here https://topcountry.siriusxm.ca
