Review Fix Exclusive: Beth Snapp Talks ‘Higher Love’ And More

Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter Beth Snapp, who discusses her origin in music and new single, “Higher Love.”

Review Fix: How did you get involved in music? 

Beth Snapp: There was never a conscious decision to get involved… it was just all around me! Growing up in the Appalachians, I was surrounded by music, including my mom’s gospel trio, so I cut my teeth learning 3 part harmony.  I was always in music lessons, learning songs by ear, and eventually playing in front of folks by high school. It wasn’t until the end of grad school that I played my first original out, but hey, better late than never, right? 

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like? 

Snapp: It’s not formal by any means…perhaps it should be! I have been working on increasing my intentionality with sitting down and preparing space and time for processing ideas.  Honestly though, sometimes I walk around with an idea in my head and chew on it for months (even years a couple times). Other times, I get an idea and it’s finished in 30 minutes or less. i guess I just let the ideas come as they do.  I have found, though, when I try to push them, I don’t end up with great results. 

Review Fix: What inspires you? 

Snapp: My themes are always cognitive-behavioral in nature.  Understanding the human experience, finding ideas that connect us all. I’m so inspired that most (if not all) events in our lives are this interesting play of joy and sorrow, of light and dark.  There’s no story that’s 100% positive or negative… there is always a tinge of counter emotion in the background, and I think it’s both interesting and balancing. 

Review Fix: What does music mean to you? 

Snapp: What I think of music is ever evolving…sometimes it’s a life force, and sometimes it just drains everything from me.  But at the end of the day, it goes back to this universal connection.  I think our current environment is one that make it so difficult to connect to others. We just seem so divided in so many ways, and there is little that can bring a group of people together to enjoy a moment…to be on the same page. But music does have that capability, doesn’t it? That’s a pretty magical thing.

Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you? I’ve been referred to as a Southern Norah Jones, and I kind of like that.  I’m not held to one genre really. I just try to serve each song, which can muddy the waters when trying to explain my style.  But there’s some Americana, folk, jazz, pop, bluegrass, and a little gospel that all got thrown in the blender.  Somehow, I come out on the other side with whatever it is I do :). 

Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work? My studio work in the past has been quite similar to my live sound with a full band, but I’m planning on experimenting a little more in the studio in the coming year, so that could change.  Of course I also travel, playing solo shows, so those are obviously more stripped down versions of song.  Still, there’s an intimacy value to the solo show that people seem to like.  

Review Fix: What inspired your latest single, Higher Love? 

Snapp: Our local Pride organization (TriPride) honored me by asking if I would produce a cover for their community music video (a video that stood as a substitute for the cancelled Pride Festival for 2020…ack, COVID). They wanted a song that called for a community to come together…for the acknowledgement that times are tough right now, and we all need to band together for something greater.  I don’t think they could have picked a better song. 

Based in the Tri-Cities, what are your 3 favorite things about the area? FIrst and mostly, our mountains! I love to hike, and we have lots of  overlooks and waterfalls. That’s been a source of entertainment and comfort throughout this last year. Secondly, our rich music heritage.  Between being next door to Southwest Virginia’s Carter Fold in Hiltons, to the Birthplace of Country Music in Bristol, to the ETSU Bluegrass program in Johnson City, and so many outlets in between, we are so blessed with some of the most talented musicians! Lastly, during touring seasons, it’s the perfect spot for a musician.  Low cost of living, combined with access to major interstates and relatively centralized location for traveling the East Coast, it makes both living and traveling very easy.  Hopefully I’ll get to remember what that feels like soon. 

Review Fix: What are your goals for the rest of 2020? 

Snapp: I am following this cover with a series of singles during 2020 and 2021.  I am really loooking forward to experimenting with my sound, and releasing some songs I’ve been sitting on.  Taking this time to focus on creativity has been very therapeutic to me. Honestly, I am also an essential worker, working in the hospital setting as an occupational therapist. While I’ve been so fortunate to be employed and be able to afford to record, in the beginning of the year when music was mostly dead, I felt dead creatively.  I’m just glad to have an outlet and stay in the game a little bit as we all figure out our next steps. 

Review Fix: What’s next?

Snapp:  Let’s release an original track soon, shall we? 

Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add? 

Snapp: YES! Wear your mask, wash your hands, be careful, look after your neighbors and loved ones, and take care of your mental health best you can… and then MAYBE we can get back to playing some music! :)