It was fate when a professor paired up Sarah Zimmermann and Justin Davis on the first day of school at Belmont University. The challenge was to put the guitar majors out of their comfort zone and see what comes about. Fast-forward to today and you have the talented duo, Striking Matches. Both from different states, Sarah from Pennsylvania and Justin from Georgia, the two had similar upbringings singing background and writing songs to get their feelings out.
This past summer, Striking Matches had the opportunity to open up for Keith Urban on his Raise ‘Em Up Tour, after Urban’s booking agent heard them singing at Country Radio Seminar. CRS, where country radio programmers come to town and bands have the chance to showcase their talents, led Keith’s agent to follow up with Striking Matches’ manager, saying they had to show these guys to Keith. A week later, the two heard they had a show with the man himself. “We’ve been fans of his forever,” Sarah gushed. “We’d play Keith Urban songs when we were just jamming together. To have a full-circle-moment was really cool.” Their experience was outstanding, thanks to Keith and his crew, topped off with an amazing crowd. Justin raved about the fans, saying, “The crowd was the most incredible part. His crowd worked so well with us. It was a good match between us.”
Country may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about genres and Striking Matches, but that is something they enjoy. Having a variety of influences the duo looks up to plays a part in the diversity. “The fact that you can get up on stage with anyone and have multiple heroes and multiple people you look up to, it’s been a really cool resource, not necessarily being straight down the middle for any genre,” Justin explained. When asked if they felt it was harder or easier, if anything, to have a mixed sound, he laughed. “When you’re in one genre, it comes with its own set of challenges. If there was an easier route, I think everyone would be taking it.” The pride that Striking Matches takes in embracing the music they make, the sound they make, is refreshing. “Not harder, not easier, just different.”
The doors have continued to open for the duo, with two songs on Ashley Monroe’s new record, ‘The Blade.’ ‘From Time to Time’ and ‘Dixie’ are tracks written with their friend, Monroe, who they got to tour with. “When we were out on the road with her, we had a lot of time to just hang out and write,” Sarah told NECM. “We probably wrote about seven or eight songs. She’s so talented.” Sarah and Justin also sing with Ashley on their song, ‘From Time to Time.’
From records to the television, chances are if you have watched the hit show, Nashville, you have heard Striking Matches’ music. Their first true success as songwriters came even before their record and EP. Eight songs later, they are a staple in ABC’s show. “The music supervisors for Nashville were in Nashville the summer before the pilot came out listening to songs. One of the publishers at Universal asked if we would come by the office and play live for them,” Sarah, who writes for Universal Music Publishing with Justin, explained. “Right then they were like this is Charlotte and Gunnar and we were like what? Who? We had no idea what anything was about yet.” Immediately, the supervisors said they wanted to use a couple of their songs. From there, things continued to grow even bigger for Striking Matches. The first place they got to play their first song from the show Nashville, ‘When the Right One Comes Along,’ was at the Bluebird Café. “We told them that story and they ended up making the scene at the Bluebird, which was really cool to see that get mirrored on TV.” Already with a strong support overseas from the United Kingdom, the world-renown series only helped their stardom take off.
Speaking of international, this November, Striking Matches will take on the UK, where fans have constantly supported Justin and Sarah’s work. “We’ve had this immense response that happened really quickly over there,” said Justin, who looks forward to playing in the Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London’s equivalent of the Ryman Theater. “It’s sort of blown our minds in a way, the warmth and support that we felt from our UK fans.” Last year the pair sold out Union Chapel, a setting they called the most beautiful place they’ve ever played, up there with the likes of the Red Rocks Amphitheater and The Ryman. Back on home land, Striking Matches is now up to an astounding 49 shows at the Grand Ole Opry, something they say never gets old and is different every time. “It’s always a completely new audience. Some nights no one knows who you are,” Justin laughed. “It never once leaves your mind where you are.”
The worldwide sensation that is Striking Matches continues to leave their mark wherever they go. This musically talented duo started all because of that fateful first day of college, to the pleasure of hundreds of thousands of people spread throughout several genres and have no plans on slowing down.
This was written by Lauren Rose, contributing writer for New England Country Music. You can follow me on Twitter here.