Get to know Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors

After a decade of creating their own music, Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors have something that most aspiring musicians crave from the beginning of their careers: confidence in their work. Holcomb released his first album in 2005. Since then, he and his band have released several albums and are about to release a new one titled Medicine. Past albums have taken the band as long as two months to produce, but this album took only eight days, Holcomb said.

“[We] knew the songs,” Holcomb said. “We had fun and enjoyed ourselves.”

Holcomb and the band will perform at the Hoover Public Library as part of its Southern Voices series this month. The band is based in Nashville, and Holcomb is originally from Memphis. Holcomb’s Neighbors include Nathan Dugger on guitar and keyboard, Rick Brinsfield on bass and Holcomb’s wife, Ellie, on vocals and guitar, though Ellie will soon leave the band to take care of their daughter, Emmylou.

Holcomb admits that trying to describe his own music is difficult, but he believes it most closely resembles Americana, a blend of rock and folk. 

When writing songs, Holcomb takes inspiration from a variety of sources. An avid reader, he often writes songs inspired by some of his favorite authors. Holcomb comes from large family, and his writing also reflects his memories of growing up. 

The band finds a constant source of inspiration in their fans’ experiences, as well. Holcomb often asks his fans where they first heard his music and enjoys the variety of answers he receives. He frequently hears that his listeners receive a feeling that, whatever their emotions might be, they are not alone in them.

“There’s an underlying sense of hope amidst hardship [in our songs]…” he said. “Everybody’s experiences are very different.”

The band has played in the Birmingham area many times throughout the years, but their Southern Voices show will be the first time they have played in Hoover. Holcomb said that the band is excited for the opportunity to play in the series. 

Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors will perform at 8 p.m. on Feb. 25 and 26 at the Hoover Public Library as part of Southern Voices 2015. Tickets are $25. For more, visit hooverlibrary.org.