'90s band Sixpence None the Richer returns with new music, tour at Savannah's Victory North
by Christopher Berinato
Sixpence None the Richer is out on tour for the first time in two decades with new music. The band makes a stop at Victory North on Nov. 20, 2024. Photograph by Ben Pearson/Publicity Photo/Sixpence None the Richer
There are very few songs from the 1990s that were as ubiquitously associated with young, whimsical romance than “Kiss Me” by the alternative pop group Sixpence None the Richer.
“Kiss Me” was a single off of Sixpence None the Richer’s 1997 self-titled fourth album, but it wasn’t until it appeared in an episode of Dawson’s Creek and the film, She’s All That, in 1999 that the song and band caught fire. The success of “Kiss Me” led to several more hit songs including a cover of The La’s “There She Goes” and Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream it’s Over,” as well as appearances in other popular movies and television shows.
This past year, “Kiss Me” has been having a resurgence in the pop landscape with Sabrina Carpenter regularly performing the song during her recent tour, and K-pop superstar Lisa (of Blackpink) interpolating lyrics and melody from the song for her single “Moonlit Floor.”
“I have two teenage daughters, so it’s given me instant cred and coolness in the household.,” said Matt Slocum, guitarist and principal songwriter for Sixpence None the Richer. “It’s cool to see such huge artists and see how they grew up with that song. They’re giving it a generational jump and they sound amazing doing it. We’re all excited about it.”
'Reminded us how much we like being on tour together'
Sixpence None the Richer formed in New Braunfels, Tx., in the early '90s when Slocum met vocalist Leigh Nash at a church retreat. Sixpence None the Richer released their debut album, The Fatherless & The Widow, in 1993 when Nash and Slocum were still teenagers, drawing influence from bands like The Sundays, 10,000 Maniacs, and Crowded House.
Sixpence continued to earn critical praise and grow their audience in the Christian pop market with their 1995 sophomore album, This Beautiful Mess, and Tickets for a Prayer Wheel EP, but it wasn’t until “Kiss Me” that the band exploded into the mainstream and found crossover success.
Although Sixpence None the Richer temporarily disbanded in 2004, they have reunited off-and-on over the years to release two more albums and a Christmas collection.
“That was a really great opportunity for both of us to play with a band that we both grew up with and have some history with,” said Slocum. “It reminded us how much we like being on tour together, and why not focus this energy back onto our own band.”
50-city tour includes Savannah
Now the original line-up of Slocum, Nash, drummer Dale Baker, and bassist Justin Cary have reunited again for a new EP, Rosemary Hill, a vinyl anniversary rerelease of their self-titled album, and a 50-city U.S. tour, including a stop at Victory North Savannah on Wednesday, Nov. 20.
“It’s been kind of like getting back on a bike again,” said Slocum. “We were all nervous coming back after all these years, about how it’s going to feel. It just felt natural from the first notes played. Everyone’s kept writing music and playing music all these years, so it’s almost like everyone is playing and singing better than ever.”
Nash’s singing in particular has matured into a slightly grittier, more expressive twang that is much more evocative of classic country singers like Tanya Tucker and Loretta Lynn that influenced her as a performer. As a solo artist, Nash has released country albums, like 2015’s The State I’m In, that reflect her passion for Americana.
“That is the music of her youth and what she loves dearly, so it’s cool that she can express herself in that way and not just in the indie rock/pop thing,” said Slocum.
Sixpence’s latest EP, Rosemary Hill, is a nostalgic rumination on Slocum and Nash’s childhood home in Texas.
“A lot of the music for the EP was written during the pandemic and it’s when Leigh and I started making a concerted effort to write and record again,” explained Slocum. “The pandemic seemed to challenge a lot of people in a lot of ways and definitely made people slow down and be more reflective and introspective. Some of the music on that record came out of looking back and reflecting on the past. It definitely caught us in a period of homesickness and wanting to connect with where we came from.”
The music video for the song, “Rosemary Hill,” was shot mostly in New Braunfels and features the band performing at the historic Greune Dance Hall.
“We knew we had a gig booked at Gruene Hall on this tour, which is kind of a big deal for us, a full circle thing,” said Slocum. “ZZ Top filmed a live video there, and it just looked amazing, so we asked them if they would let us shoot part of the video inside of the hall. They were so warm and welcoming and made it happen. The rest of the footage was shot around the town Leigh and I grew up in. It brought back childhood memories.”
Besides the new EP and self-titled album reissue, Sixpence None the Richer are releasing a deluxe vinyl edition of their 2008 Christmas album, The Dawn of Grace, on Record Store Day. Expect to hear a couple Christmas songs on this tour, because it’s never too early for Christmas music.
Halfway into their current tour, Slocum and his bandmates are thrilled to see new young fans (thanks Sabrina Carpenter and Lisa!) and older fans that have stuck with them for over 20 years.
“We’re really happy with the response and support,” said Slocum. “People coming out to see us on the road is huge and we hope that continues to happen.”
“I think everyone in this band takes what they do seriously and constantly wants to get better. Everybody on their own are players and performers and writers, so there is a lot more maturity now. And I think Leigh is singing even better than she was back when ‘Kiss Me’ was happening. It’s a cool evolution of the band as individuals. There’s that certain energy and chemistry that bands have and tap into, and that has felt the same. Whatever that core energy is, everyone has been able to find it again. We’ve definitely got the best of both worlds going on right now, but we honestly don’t want to kill each other from touring too much.”
If You Go ->
What: Sixpence None The Richer w/ Elli Perry When: 7 p.m., Nov. 20 Where: Victory North, 2603 Whitaker St. Cost: $35-55 Info:victorynorthsavannah.com
