It can be easily argued — and successfully as well — that those songs that truly resonate are the ones that speak to our humanity and inspire us to peer well beyond the horizon. Beth Snapp’s striking new single a cover of the Steve Winwood classic “Higher Love” does just that. It’s sung for a cause one that is particularly powerful in a time when the struggle for civil rights has not only intensified but become all the more essential. Snapp recorded the single at the behest of TriPride an organization that works towards building a stronger and more inclusive community across Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. “When I was first approached by TriPride to cover this tune my first thought was wow they hit the nail on the head thematically” Snapp says. “To choose a song that calls for a higher love and peace between neighbors is the most imperative message we can be spreading especially at a time when the divide has become so much deeper. I was so proud to get to be a part of that message.”
Based on the cover of the recent Kygo remix featuring Whitney Houston, Snapp’s powerful take on the tune echoes a sense of optimism and shares the insight that reinforces that essential theme. With a stirring yet sumptuous arrangement that features features Snapp on vocals and guitar, Dave Eggar on cello, Phil Faconti on guitar and bass, Justin Short on drums, and Will Cassell on guitar, the song practically soars, bringing with it an upbeat optimism that Snapp so convincingly conveys with clarity and conviction. She repeats the surging refrain over and over, and each time, the message becomes that much more emphatic.
“The thing that hit me in the midst of recording this song was that the majority of our communities are now getting some sense of some of those feelings the LGBTQ+ communities have been struggling with since…well, forever,” Snapp suggests. “One of the joys of Pride events is this ability to come together for folks who have at some point in time experienced such deep feelings of isolation. Now, we’re all experiencing a very small amount of isolation, and many of us can’t handle even this small moment in time. Imagine having to deal with that your whole life, or else having to fear the consequences if one chooses not to. Many people are lashing out in anger. Many are polarizing our communities. And yet, this organization, which is made up of people who are all too familiar with that pain and indignity, is choosing to spread this healing message of positivity, hope, community, and, most of all, love.
Glide is thrilled to premiere the video for Beth Snapp’s “Higher Love” a warm and earnest take on a mid 80’s classic. Snapp offers fervently emotive vocals that bring a rootsy vibe to song geared to the masses to uplift, inspire and include.
Glide also had the chance to talk with Sapp about when she first heard “Higher Love,” her favorite album of 2020 so far and other tidbits..
Can you describe the first time you heard Steve Winwood’s version of “Higher Love.” What do you most remember about the song from your past? Was it daunting to remove the 80’s sheen and programmed drum beats?
I’m sure I was listening to it in the car with my mom on our local adult contemporary radio station lol. Probably what stuck out the most was Chaka Khan coming in at the end. I always thought she had an interesting voice. Regarding our take on the song, we honestly used the new Kygo remix. So, the question for our production was more “how can we give an EDM remix of a very famous song our own Americana spin?”
You have a knack of bring pop melodies to traditional roots music, do you feel pop music is restricted by certain roots genres and how have you managed to break those misconceptions?
I think the only genre misconceptions I’ve tried to break are simply that you kind of have to BE in one genre. I was told at one point (and it is true to an extent) that one of the problems with my music is it doesn’t have a home… it doesn’t fit snug into one genre and therefore, difficult to place and promote. But I see the lines blurring more and more all the time with genres and finding rootsy moments in mainstream music (Lumineers, CAAMP, Judah & the Lion just to name a few), so I actually feel like maybe there are less restrictions as of late?
Has it been challenging being from the Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia are and not falling into the status quo of rural country music?
Not at all. Rather, I think I have fun adding nods to those traditional sounds to my music. Just making you remember where I’m from. I love music that comes out of the mountains, and while that may not exactly be my sound, I have massive respect for it and love to draw from it. I even have a bluegrass song up my sleeve I’d love to release soon.
What venues or musicians have given you the most support to develop your sound? What venues do you most miss playing and why?
Very lucky to have had the Down Home in Johnson City, TN (and look forward to returning!) and the Willow Tree in Johnson City, which just closed due to COVID unfortunately. I feel like having those two local spots to craft what I’m doing and take elsewhere has been formidable. As far as musicians, my development has been cultivated first by the bluegrassers, even though I’m not. Songwriter Bobby Starnes first took me under his wing, and introduced me to Tim Stafford and all the other members of Blue HIghway. Tim is a bluegrass songwriter and guitarist but has influences by James Taylor and many other great folk/other genre guitarists that has given him a distinct sound in that world.
How has songwriting come along for your next album? Do you feel the lockdown had been creatively fruitful for you and can you provide some examples?
In the beginning, I was writing nothing. I am an essential worker, an occupational therapist in the hospital. When Music shut down, thankfully I had a job, but it was a very stressful one, and I just didn’t have the words for what was happening or what I was feeling. I was just paralyzed. Slowly, I’ve started to write some new tunes (one of which will hopefully be released by end of year). I’ve also been sitting on some tunes from the previous year I’m excited to start production on as well. The plan is to release a string of singles through 2020 and 2021, focusing on different production/genre moments, and eventually packaging it onto a physical product.
Favorite album of 2020 so far?
LOVE the new Sturgill Simpson bluegrass album!!!
