“I love a clever lyric that puts a smile on people’s face…with a little bit of a twist,” Serabee smirks.

This blonde bombshell is not your typical popstar of sorts. She cites Billy Joel and Elton John as her musical influences; her voice resembles a commercial blend of Sass with a jazzy foundation. Serabee is a force, and her soul is dripping with her southern and gospel roots. With skills for the piano and the Hammond B3 Organ without trying, she declares a funk that solidifies her exclusive sound.

 Her first single titled, “Driving Me Stupid” cuts to the chase. Its Spanish melody will make you swirl your hips and then immediately impulse you to broadcast your angst to the man you lust for. Her lyrics are direct and her persona passionate.

 To top it off, she really is a preacher’s daughter. While she never got into too much trouble; she says, “We’d flash the fake-ID and watch the lounge bands, sneak into the House shows, anything we could think of to catch the performances on stage. I learned so much.” Serabee  had always been set on networking and getting her music into the right hands. As a teen it mostly consisted of  “inviting musicians she befriended to watch her perform at her dad’s church services, and in turn, players and production hands were introducing her to the world of workaday stagecraft completely outside the religious realm,” her reps tells us. Work it girl!…

Her drive and talent paved the way from Mississippi to church gigs all over the U.S, a massive stay in New Orleans, then London for a short stint (to write for Charlotte Church), and Nashville as well as other global regions, then finally back home again.

 In Nashville her creative juices flourished, “Working with Nick (Trevisick) was such a great process. He had this great basement studio which was like a laboratory for me after literally traveling the world writing songs. There was something about being there everyday that grounded me,” she recalls about the experience.

To show for it; an album that is like a distinct cup of coffee for your ears. This one will have you craving for more. Her debut self-titled album was just released this month (November 2009) via Universal Republic Records.

We got to speak with musician Serabee, I suggest you…

Check it: 

Veronica Barriga: Serabee!! Is that your real name, or is it your alias as a musician?

Serabee: I’ve always gone by Sera B so I just added the “ee” to be fun. 

VB: Tell us about your musical style and what people can expect from your debut album!!

Serabee: I’m a musician so I like to be musical and experiment with different instruments.  I like it to be soulful.  The lyrics and melodies have tones of gospel and southern….wacky and funny.  I love a clever lyric that puts a smile on people’s face…with a little bit of a twist.

VB: I hear your live shows are quite a riot, what or who inspires your stage presence?

Serabee: OH! Jerry Lee Lewis, Billy Joel, Steve Winwood! The crowd, the audience, watching their expressions….the musicians with whom I’m playing….When we’re all vibing, its like a church service. You know, kinda like a Rolling Stones tent revival. (She laughs) I really feed off the crowd, and go where they take me.

VB: You play a couple of instruments. How did that start and  why did you choose to rock a Hammond B3 Organ?

Serabee: I started when I was around 5 years old.  I never chose it…it chose me! I was crawling on the pedals when I was a baby in a diaper.  I was just drawn to it, and it was a common used instrument in gospel, tent revivals and church so it felt natural.  My dad and his friends played it. It’s a very popular instrument in New Orleans with all the blues, gospel, and jazz. It can sound like so many different instruments.

VB: What was it like growing up in Mississippi and how did that influence your sound?

Serabee: It was awesome! It was so close to New Orleans. I was so into that culture and music.  We actually travelled a lot, but it was always good to come back home.. to the smell of the gulf water in the air.  I think you can hear those southern and gospel influences in my music.  You could always find a live band playing somewhere… A church service or a family member’s house where music was being played.  I’m glad that area is home.

VB: What advice do you have for other women who are aspiring musicians in the industry.  

Serabee: Be yourself and don’t be afraid! Don’t worry about what the other girls are doing. Just do what you know makes you feel beautiful and confident.  And learn an instrument… that’s always a bonus. (She smiles) It sets you apart and empowers you.  Be what you want to be…whether it’s a tom boy or super feminine or whatever…  Be yourself. More than anything- make sure the music is right.

VB: Who are some of your major musical influences?

Serabee: Prince, Steve Winwood, Elton John, Billy Joel, Aretha…                    

VB: If you could duet or work with anyone, who would it be?

Serabee: Right now..John Mayer or Bob Dylan, or Mariah Carey or Rihanna, or Beyonce.

She cracks up,at her on-going list. 

VB: Describe yourself in 3 words……….. GO!

Serabee: Soulful, Funny & Charming.

VB: Tell us about your song writing process.

Serabee: Each song is different…there’s no right or wrong way.  Some you have to be fragile and tender with. Others you just need to drive it and make it edgy.  When I’m writing on my own I hear everything in my head.  Its different when I co-write… being open to other’s ideas. Its like making a short film or writing a short story and then making it melodic. 

VB: Nicely put! Have you ever been confused for another celebrity?

Serabee: Yes.  And I’m not saying who… but you can read (about it) online.

She describes coyly as she attempts to hold in laughter. Ha ha!

VB: What do you do when you are not in the studio, performing or writing?

Serabee: I’m spending time with friends and family. Always thinking about the next song idea. I love nice dinners and great conversation.

VB: ”Drive me Stupid” is the 1st single off your debt album? Is the song about anyone in particular?

Serabee: I don’t remember who it is about.. but I’m sure they know who they are… haha.  No one in particular… it is just a fun song. 

It seems she plays nice…

VB: What’s the one thing that “drives you stupid,”  just bugs you “every time?”

Serabee: A lot of things drive me stupid… (Laughs)  I guess when people judge you without knowing you.  And, it drives me stupid when I’m not in control of what’s happening in my life. 

One more thing:

Her debut album “Serabee” is available now on Universal Republic Records!

The single “Driving me Stupid” is also rockin the charts on I tunes!

For all the latest on “Serabee” Click here!

*Special thanks to Jamie Wisotsky at: Total Assault, LLC.

They are from Nashville but not quite country… Hot Chelle Rae is a young foursome ready to rule the world, rock out, and bring you along for the ride! These young men got a ton of sass, and the talent to back it up. Ryan Keith Follese on vocals, Nash Overstreet plays lead guitar, Ian Keaggy on the bass and younger brother Jamie Follese jams out on the drums. The group has recently signed with Jive Records, one of the industry’s most influential labels! Their first single “I like to Dance” sets the festive, funky tone, and hints at what we can expect from their pop/rock debut release, “Lovesick Electric.”

“We all learned how to harness the heartbreak and use it as ammunition for the creative cannon.” Says HCR

“Our musical style and essence comes from our love of the 80′s, dedication to writing as a craft, and parents that encouraged us to really do whatever we wanted! On “Lovesick Electric” you will hear songs that represent what we love, events that we have lived… by the end I hope that you just feel, after all, isn’t that really what this is about.”  Says Lead singer, Ryan.

On this record, a dream came true when the boys had the chance to work with producers Eric Valentine and Butch Walker, both whom have created chart topping hits for Pink, Katie Perry and The All American Rejects, to name a few.

“I appreciate each and every different level of success we achieve. Getting to work with Eric Valentine, and Butch Walker… they were almost the only producers we told Jive that we wanted to work with when they asked us. The reality of working with our #1 choices hit us like a ton of bricks!” Adds Nash.

Its no doubt the band is in good hands, their sophisticated & sharp sounds will have you take note! They were born with music in their DNA, they are young but bold and with infusing tunes, along side innovative rifts, guided by melodious foot-tapping lyrics, it’s only a matter of time before these four explode onto the scene.

Hot Chelle Rae ‘s frontman Ryan Keith Follese, & lead guitarist Nash Overstreet, took a time-out from touring; to talk music, tattoos, and, shout-outs to rapper T-Pain. They even gave out some insightful advice on how to make it in the industry!

Check It:

Veronica Barriga: Hot Chelle Rae! What does the name mean, where did it come from?

Ryan Keith Follese (RK): Hot Chelle Rae…It came from a crazy fan and a random set of words. Chelle Rae is the name of a girl pretending to be an online model and pretending to help us with “music business connections.”

That’s actually hilarious…

Nash Overstreet: We thought it sounded cool, original, and just unique enough to take the shape of the music.

VB: How old are you guys? What were your lives like before signing to Jive?

Nash: Ian-22, Jamie-17, Nash-23, R.K.-22. We have all been playing music our whole lives, and known that’s what we wanted to do. Before hooking up with Jive, we had been in different incarnations of what is now Hot Chelle Rae. Our main focus was having a great product. We sacrificed the constant touring that we were told we “should” have been doing, for the time we felt necessary to craft great songs. We couldn’t be happier looking back. We’re very proud of this record, and hope everyone will love it as much as we do.

RK: We played a lot of shows but really understood that we wouldn’t get anywhere without A-list material. So we wrote nearly 60 songs and from 20, picked the best 11. It was tough, but I think that we benefited from it so much and I believe the future will show that.

VB: What do you hope people and fans take from your music?

Nash: A light hearted energy, a needed moment of encouragement, a song to fall in love to, or just a loud, blaring chorus to sing along to… Preferably at the top of your lungs!!

VB: What has been your “I’ve made it moment!?”

Nash: I hope I never have that moment. I never want to stop working to get better.

RK: Haha, our “I’ve made it moment”… I believe is yet to arrive. I don’t want to count our chickens before they have hatched! But getting a deal in this particular time in music was pretty killer.

VB: I noticed your tattoos, pick a favorite, and why?

Nash: That’s like picking a favorite child!… No, I don’t have any kids. My left arm, a dove, light, clouds, and a cross, is probably my favorite. It’s just so vibrant and colorful. Tim Bobeck is the artist we all go to at Lone Wolf in Nashville. He’s incredible.

RK: My favorite that I have is probably the one on my chest. It says ” Dream with my eyes open, Sleep when I’m dead, Love who my hearts chosen, Conquer what lies ahead.”

VB: Who are some of your major musical influences, why?

NASH: All of us bring something very different to the table.  I have always been a fan of groovy, funky feel-good music like Michael Jackson, and Prince; or great songwriting like Sheryl Crow, Tom Petty, and Butch Walker.

RK: Also, Queen, Journey, The Beatles, and country music. I believe we all respect them as incredible singers and incredible writers. As for country, that’s where we learned how to write lyrics.

VB: If you could duet or work with anyone, who would it be?

NASH: I’m sending this one out to T-Pain… You are incredible, and working with you on the Taylor Swift track was amazing; but I’m still pushing to get you to get on a song with us!!! Haha (Don’t think we don’t tease Jive about it regularly,) Justin Timberlake… get in on this with us!

RK: Freddie Mercury for so many reasons, vocals, writing, arrangements, etc!!!

VB: Describe yourselves in 3 words….. GO!

"They like to dance"

NASH: Stop At Nothing

RK: Hot Chelle Rae!

Clever, he is….

VB: What is your song writing process like?

NASH: It usually began with, a vocal hook, guitar riff, or bass line. Then we’ll grab acoustic guitars, and get the lyrics right. After we get in the right key, tempo, etc… We work it up as a band and “arrange” it.

RK: No rules to our writing process, could start with a great title… But the process is very critical and we double and triple check everything that we do for the best possible outcome.

VB: What has been the best advice your parents have given you about the industry? (Parents are award-winning songwriters, and a Grammy nominated guitarist.)

NASH: Write songs, all the time. It’s a talent, but also a skill. You can’t go out and run a marathon if you don’t train. Unless you exercise writing, you are not going to be your best.

RK: Honestly, when I encountered the feeling of heartbreak that my parents warned me about they just said, “Don’t give up” as cheesy as that is. If you follow it, amazing stuff can happen. They also said sadness was fuel for the fire.

VB: Who is the leader of the pack, what was the last thing the group had a disagreement about?

RK: I believe as an aspiring front man it’s my job to lead, but I think we all have leadership qualities and thats what makes the group function. Everyone brings something to the table that the other can’t. The last thing that we argued about was probably where to eat! Haha. This is a relationship and we are all like brothers.

NASH: We’re very fortunate to all have similar likes, and dislikes musically. I can’t imagine being in a band and suggesting something, only to have someone else HATE the idea. It’s R.K.’s job to connect with the audience. I have always been into making the musical arrangements the best they can be. Ian will come up with stuff no one else could ever dream of, and Jamie… if a beat is not the most original thing you’ve heard, I’m willing to bet it’ll still feel better!

VB: How has growing up in Nashville impacted your musical approach?

NASH: Nashville teaches you that you don’t have the luxury of being mediocre in any area. You have to be a great songwriter, amazing musician, put on the best live show in town, and be down to earth. The scene is harsh, but it makes the end result even better.

RK: Raised the bar! When all of your friends are in great bands like (Luna Halo, Enjoy the Zoo) it really changes the material level and the approach to being in a band.

VB: The young ladies wanna know, what do you look for in a girlfriend?

NASH: The most important thing has got to be: being able to be yourself. Nothing feels better than relaxing, and (the girl) not trying to impress or put on a show.

RK: Being able to be cool with a musicians schedule is very important. Someone who can just chill and be happy, have a good time. I like long curly hair!

VB: What pointers would you give to struggling bands and songwriters?

NASH: Don’t settle for less than your best in anything you do. If you make a demo, make it great. If you play a show, and only one person shows up, make them have such an experience that they tell every single person they know that you’re worth seeing the next time around.  …Always look good.

RK: Hone your craft and don’t do music for the girls. Do it because you don’t have a choice.

Well said, oh wait….. One more thing:

NASH: We are all about great songs first. There are upbeat dance songs, hard-hitting rock anthems, and heartfelt ballads. Something for everyone, no matter what stage of life they’re in, or what they’re going through. Catchy lyrics, memorable bass lines, synthesizers, dance like drum beats, and a guitar lick here and there…. that about sums us up.

From Left: Nash, Jamie, RK, Ian

But don’t take our word for it: Check out, the single: “I like to Dance”

Click here for some sweet rockin sounds!

While your at it, make a video and post it on their official website : www.HotChelleRae.com