SoulFest & New Sound Concerts

5 Questions with Zealyn: Find Out What We’re Helping Her Cross Off Her Bucket List!

Zealyn may be a newcomer to the SoulFest stage - but she’s no stranger of SoulFest. Read below to learn more about the process she went through writing her new album, finding her sound and what one thing she is excited to cross off her bucket list!  Don’t forget to head on over to thesoulfest.com to learn more about New England’s Largest Christian Music Festival!

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SF: Can you tell us about your new album and the story behind the songwriting process?

ZEALYN: Going into the studio to write and record this album was such a unique experience. Heading in, I only had half of one song written. I knew that I was about to spend two months working on a whole album, yet had no idea what to expect or what it would end up sounding like. It was an exciting, refreshing, yet terrifying feeling all in one. I didn’t set boundaries, or put limits to the creative process. I didn’t even have certain expectations. I just let creativity take over, and that was the best thing I ever could have done. I’m so excited to share these songs with people! The album is titled “Limbic System”, and will release early this summer.

 SF: Some of our SoulFest staff members are big fans of Copeland.  What was it like working with Aaron Marsh (lead singer of Copeland) on your new album?  What was his role with the process?

 ZEALYN: First, you should know that I too am a huge fan of Copeland! I actually met Aaron at one of his shows. I went to a coffee shop an hour before it started, and when I walked in, he was there. I was so excited to have met him, and later that night (through twitter DM) I asked him to produce my next album. Two months later I was in the studio with him! It was the most incredible experience I’ve ever had working with a producer. His creativity and musicianship continues to blow me away. Not only did he produce the entire album, but we also co-wrote all the songs together. 

 SF: Can you tell us about your growth as a musician and songwriter these past few years?  

ZEALYN: I started seriously pursuing music three years ago. I had no idea what my sound was or what I was even capable of creating… So, I tried pop for a while and quickly realized that wasn’t the sound I wanted to pursue for the rest of my career. I knew that I could make music that was more unique, and that pushed myself more as an artist and as a songwriter. That is what this music is doing now. I believe that my fans can hear the growth in my music right away when they listen. I’m so proud of how my sound has evolved.

 SF: Last year, you sold out two shows at the Cabot Theatre in your hometown of Beverly, MA.  What was that like for you to see that kind of hometown support?

ZEALYN: I am continuously blow away by the support of my hometown. Not only just them, but all the people that have supported me the past 3+ years. I never take that for granted. I feel so blessed to have the fan base that I have, and I’m excited to see it grow.

 SF: What about SoulFest are you looking forward to the most?

ZEALYN: I spent my high school years going to SoulFest almost every year! I have had so many of my friends perform on different stages, and I always loved supporting them! Throughout all those years I always dreamed about performing on the main stage. It has always been on my bucket list… and now, years later, it’s happening. I’m so looking forward to performing, and I’m going to soak in every second and enjoy the time I get to be onstage.

SF: We can’t wait! See you at SoulFest!

5 Questions with Paul Colman: We Talk SoulFest, Kids and a New Album!

We asked Paul Colman the questions you want the answers to. Check out what he had to say and then head over to thesoulfest.com to learn more about New England’s Largest Christian Music Festival!

SF:    We are so excited to have you back at SoulFest 2016! You’ve been a part of SoulFest for such a long time – do you have a special SoulFest memory that stands out in your mind?

PAUL: I appreciate that! For me it’s always just the people. From the kitchen staff, to the crew, other artists, the thousands of people who attend and the people who work so hard to put the festival on. Music is great, but people are better.

SF:  You have some new music out! You’ve released the first 5 songs from your new album, Recalculating. When will the full album be available?

PAUL: I will have the full album at Soulfest and will be performing songs from it. I have 3 EP’s online all with different bonus tracks that will not be in the final record. It will be available on iTunes from early April as well.

SF:  What was your concept/inspiration for the title and music on the new album?

PAUL: It’s a strong collection of songs, my best so far I think, but RECALCULATING, as a theme, is way bigger than the songs. It’s about hope and re-birth. It’s about love and leaving the dark corner of shame. It’s about vulnerability, honesty and transparency. My hope is that these songs will be a soundtrack for people’s lives. They are for mine.

SF: Is there a track that stands apart from the rest for you? Which one is it and why?

PAUL: Wow! It’s hard with 15 songs and 4 bonus tracks but one highlight for me is having my daughters involved. They wrote with me and sang with me on a number of the tracks. Katie (14) does a rap with me on “Rome is burning” and Elly (12) has a solo song as a bonus track.

SF: What about SoulFest 2016 are you most looking forward to?

PAUL: Connecting with people is what I’m looking forward to as well as sharing hope and love through my workshops and performances.

Thanks, Paul! We’ll see you at SoulFest!

Happy International Women’s Day!

We want to celebrate this day with an SoulFest 2016 Artist Spotlight on Jillian Edwards.

Bio: A singer and songwriter gifted with a strong, clear voice, Jillian Edwards was born in Dallas, Texas in 1989. Edwards developed a passion for music in her teens, and began her performing career when she was a student at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, singing at local coffeehouses and landing a spot opening for the Civil Wars shortly before the duo's career took off. In 2009, Edwards took her career to the next level by recording a six-song EP, Galaxies and Such, which was soon followed by the eight-song Songbird, both of which she released herself. The response was encouraging enough that in 2011 Edwards moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and cut a second EP, the seven-song Headfirst, which she once again released herself. Edwards stepped up her touring schedule, headlining at house concerts and small venues and playing larger stages opening for the likes of Drew & Ellie Holcomb, David Ramirez, Ben Rector, and Josh Garrels. Headfirst eventually rose to the top of the digital singer/songwriter charts, knocking her old friends the Civil Wars out of the number one spot in the process. In 2012, Edwards married another talented musician, Will Franklin Chapman of the group Colony House, and they launched a side project called the Inlaws that also featured Will's brother Caleb Chapman. In 2013, Edwards was invited by Ellie Holcomb to co-write a track for Holcomb's album With You Now, and later contributed vocals to the project; Edwards also performed backing vocals on Deep Roots, an album of bluegrass tunes by Steven Curtis Chapman (Will and Caleb's dad). In 2014, Edwards returned to the spotlight with her first full-length album, Daydream, produced by Joe Causey. ~ Mark Deming