Inspired by their 1941 wooden Admiral radio, this South Carolina-based husband and wife duo creates an Americana sound rooted in tradition that touches the heartstrings of the modern-day listener. With tight vocal harmonies, endearing storytelling and authentic energy, Becca and Coty hold a presence that is palpable and real, both on and off stage.
Admiral Radio is one of eight finalists selected to showcase and compete in the LEAF Singer Songwriter Competition, Presented by NewSong Music, at LEAF Retreat on May 11.
NewSong Music: What is the most recent song you wrote and what inspired it?
Coty: Probably a song called ‘Kind To Myself.” We had just played at a festival and didn’t feel like we knocked it out of the park, so we were sort of beating ourselves up about it afterwards. Then a lady came over to us a few minutes later and started telling us how much she enjoyed our set. So the song is still a seedling, but it’s kind of a reminder to go easy on yourself.
What was your journey to becoming musicians — are you classically trained or self-taught?
Becca: Both of us are mostly self-taught. Coty’s first guitar was one he bought from Walmart while he worked there in high school. He would play in his room and watch videos on Myspace and Youtube of his favorite musicians repeatedly until he knew the songs. He mostly played in his room casually until we met waiting tables.
I grew up singing make believe songs and writing little ditties as a child. I learned how to play guitar in middle school with a few lessons, which helped my songwriting. I grew up singing along to John Lennon and Paul McCartney and got good at picking out harmonies that way.
The first night Coty and I hung out outside of work, we played guitar at his house. He wasn’t singing or writing at that point, but after awhile, I needed some backup on the shows I was playing solo and coaxed him into helping me. From there, his harmonies, vocal abilities, and songwriting have really gone bananas. The songs he writes bring me to tears.
What music was playing in your houses while you were growing up?
Becca: Coty’s mom is an ’80s baby, so in his house, Bon Jovi, Duran Duran, and Billy Idol were always on. For me, my parents are near opposite sides of the Baby Boomer era, so I like to say that my dad raised me on The Beatles and my mom raised me on R.E.M.
If you could co-write a song with anyone, who would it be, and why?
Becca: I’d like to write with Drew Holcomb. He just seems like a really down-to-earth person. I like that his songs can be straight-up fun, like a rockin’ Tom Petty tune, but others can be reminiscent of a heartfelt Jim Croce song.
Coty: Dolly, the one and only. She’s about as good as it gets.
What has most surprised you about being a singer-songwriter?
Becca: The good stuff seems to come from everyday life. It’s like you want to be a student with a pencil in your hand as often as possible. You never know when the teacher might say something that you’ll want to jot down.
Coty: Mostly surprised that people actually like it!
