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  2. SAMMIES 2020 Winner
  3. Heather Evans

Heather Evans

  • Genre
  • Singer-Songwriter
  • Awards and Nominations
    • SAMMIES 2020 Nominee★ Creative Achievement in Support of the Music Scene (Sacramento Song Writers Circle) ★
    • SAMMIES 2020 Nominee★ Singer/Songwriter ★
    • SAMMIES 2019 Winner★ Singer-Songwriter ★
    • SAMMIES 2019 Nominee★ Singer-Songwriter ★
  • Musicians
    • David Andrew — violin
    • Heather Evans — acoustic guitar, vocals
    • Jesse Knudson — drums
    • Marco Robledo — lead guitar
  • Share

Q & A

All-time favorite song?

01.24.20

That is impossible to answer, but I usually have a song of the moment that I have on repeat and right now that song for me is “Hey, Ma!” by Bon Iver. I just love the feel of that song so much. It’s a great song for driving and thinking.

As a child growing up, music surrounds us. What type of music did you hear the most back then? How does it differ from what you listen to now?

01.24.20

I grew up listening to a lot of country music, gospel music and classics like The Eagles, The Beach Boys and Huey Lewis. I am definitely appreciative of my roots, because old country music was all about storytelling and creating a picture in your mind, and The Eagles and The Beach Boys were fun and great with melodies. Now, I listen to a lot of pop, pop/folk. I love all music though. I jump around quite a bit.

Can you describe a moment in your musical career, where you felt like you truly reached somebody or made a difference?

01.24.20

There’s been a lot of really cool moments where I feel like my songs have made a difference like when people are tearing up at shows, or approach me after a show saying they needed the songs I was sharing. But one of my favorite moments was when a woman said she gave my CD Songs for Healing (a CD for parents who have lost children) to a friend who had just lost her son to suicide. Her friend was in so much pain and grief she couldn’t sleep for months. After getting my CD, she listened to it on repeat at night and was able to sleep for the first time in months. She found peace and comfort. THAT IS WHY I MAKE MUSIC. To give people hope and give them encouragement to keep going.

Do you have regular gigs around town?

01.24.20

Yes! I play at least twice a month at Hillenbrand Farmhaus Brewery and I am the worship director at a church in Rocklin called Creekside Church. I play every Sunday with a band there and it’s taught me a lot musically.

Favorite colors?

01.24.20

Red, mustard yellow and black.

Favorite guitar player?

01.24.20

Jonny Buckland of Coldplay hands down.

Favorite SAMMIES story?

01.24.20

Last year was my first time being nominated for a SAMMIES Award and I tied with Jessica Malone in the singer/songwriter category and I was BLOWN AWAY. She is someone I really look up to in the Sacramento music scene so it was pretty cool to win with her.

How did it first start?

01.24.20

I Started music when I was old enough to sing. My family is very musical so we would sing every time we got in the car, whether it be a cappella harmonizing, or singing to cassette tapes! I started writing poetry in third grade and I picked up guitar when I was 12 and the rest is history. I recorded my first CD at 15 because my dad wanted to listen to my songs in the car. Two of those song ended up being on MTV’s Laguna Beach!

How do you describe your interviews to people?

01.24.20

I’d say my interviews are usually pretty bubbly and I try my best to be authentic and be encouraging to people listening or reading.

How do you describe your music to people?

01.24.20

Encouraging, pop/folk. I do have a darker side as well that is mostly for TV and film stuff. I’m writing a lot of cinematic indie/alternative these days with movie and TV trailers in mind. It’s so fun to not box yourself into one thing and just go for it.

How do you feel about musical award competitions?

01.24.20

They can seem like a popularity contest, but I love them because it really gives people an opportunity to be seen or known in a way that they might not have been seen before! If you have a SAMMIES win venues are more likely to book you and it just looks good on your artist resume, so I’m grateful for that!

If you could be any character from history, who would it be?

01.24.20

I LOVE Harriet Tubman. She had it rough, but she used her voice to be the change she wanted to see in the world. She was courageous, didn’t let her race or gender stop her and she saved over 1,000 people who were in slavery. She had a strong faith and she didn’t take no for an answer. I look up to her and try to embody that tenacity when I do music, especially as a woman in the music industry.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what animal would you be?

01.24.20

An owl. Sleep all day, come wake up at night. Basically, musician life!

If your band was a movie, what movie would it be?

01.24.20

Hmmmm ... That is a hard one! Hopefully one with a happy ending?!

Is there a central theme to your band's music?

01.24.20

Definitely positivity and encouragement. I write about REAL LIFE and going after your dreams even though it’s hard.

Name a pet peeve.

01.24.20

People not saying what they really think and you find out from someone else!

Name a recent personal food trend.

01.24.20

Avocado toast with a fried egg on top! Yum!

Tell us about how the band formed.

01.24.20

My current band formed just from playing local gigs through the music community. I founded The Sacramento Songwriter Circle, together!

Tell us about how you first started gigging.

01.24.20

I started gigging SUPER young. My parents would take me to open-mics at bars at 15 and they would always ask me back!

Tell us about this creative project. What is it?

01.24.20

I just finished a HUGE creative project in 2019 called the 12 Songs in 12 Months Project. I wrote and professionally recorded one song a month with TV and film in mind. I’ve have four placements on TV shows like So You Think You Can Dance, Disney’s Fairytale Weddings and Dancing with the Stars Jrs!

This year, I’m focusing on creating “Collections” of songs for TV and film. Right now, I’m doing lots of dark, haunting, indie-alternative stuff and cinematic, trailer type music. It’s been amazing and I just connected with a guy who makes trailers for Warner Brothers and I met the music supervisor for some huge TV shows! I can’t wait to see what happens!

Tell us about your best gig in Sac.

01.24.20

HANDS DOWN, opening night of Concerts in the Park Sacramento!! I was the opener and played with a full band in front of thousands of people. Even though it was a HUGE audience, I still shared my heart through the songs before we played them and people came up to me after saying how much my songs/stories meant to them at the time. I’m hoping to get to play this year!

Tell us about your worst gig.

01.24.20

Definitely when I broke a string and didn’t have a backup guitar. I was young and didn’t know how to handle it and I just walked off the stage! Hahaha!

Tell us about yourself.

01.24.20

I’m an Enneagram Type 7—The Enthusiast, through and through. I am enthusiastic and love to see the possibilities, silver lining of every situation and dream big. I CRAVE adventure and am always looking forward to what’s next. If I don’t have a goal to achieve, I feel pretty aimless and depressed. I am also a huge supporter of other people’s dreams, without being competitive and love encouraging anyone who needs it.

What are your musical goals?

01.24.20

To have lots of music on TV shows, films, ads and movie trailers! It’s happening slowly, but surely, and I feel like 2020 is going to be a year of breakthrough for sure.

What artist or band are you a little embarrassed to love, and why?

01.24.20

Taylor Swift. Hahaha! Her songs are super catchy, and I loved the Red album.

What did you want to be when you were 7?

01.24.20

A tornado chaser, veterinarian or singer. The other two didn’t work out, but I’m glad singing did!

What do you sing in the shower? (Be honest.)

01.24.20

Ummmm… DUH. The acoustics in the shower are THE BEST. A lot of my songs start in the shower while I’m getting ready, because as a mom of two kids, I hardly have a moment to myself! It’s a great place to be alone and just sing! Haha!

What drives you to keep interviewing even though the music industry can be so harsh?

01.24.20

I know that not everyone will like me and that’s OK! But, I know there are people who will appreciate what I do. You can’t get hung up on the haters, just stay in your lane, do what you do and don’t worry about what people think.

What drives you to keep playing even though the music industry can be so harsh?

01.24.20

I know I have a story to tell with my life and music. I know that people need hope and encouragement, so I want to try to be that for people. Positivity is in short supply, so I figure I can throw it around like confetti and encourage a few folks along the way.

What message do you hope to give with your music?

01.24.20

A message of HOPE, not being afraid to go after the things in your heart and positivity.

What was the first song you learned to play?

01.24.20

Probably a Michelle Branch song! Hahaha! I loved her music when I was first starting to play guitar.

What's a big musical inspiration that would most surprise your fans?

01.24.20

The Sound of Music. I watched that movie every day for a summer! It’s my all-time fave. Also every Disney movie EVER.

What's next for the band?

01.24.20

Recording lots of new music and releasing the 12 Songs in 12 Months Project on physical CDs.

What's next for you?

01.24.20

Mom life, lots and lots of songwriting, attending music conferences to grow and writing lots of emails to pitch my songs to TV and film opportunities!

What's something most of your friends don't know about you?

01.24.20

When I was young, I was allergic to EVERYTHING. Food, animals and the world basically. I was sick constantly and really weak immune system.

What's the best part of this experience?

01.24.20

Just being chosen by the community and highlighted to hopefully get more exposure to the Sacramento area!

What's the story behind the band name?

01.24.20

My mom liked the name Heather and my husband gave me his last name and BAM! Heather Evans happened. Haha!

What's the worst part of this experience?

01.24.20

Being in the same category as some of my friends. I don’t like the competitiveness it can create.

What's your favorite jam from the '90s?

01.24.20

"Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears for sure.

What's your favorite local artist/group?

01.24.20

I have too many to name, but I think my ultimate fave is Hannah Jane Kile. She is an incredible vocalist, instrumentalist and songwriter! When you hear her live it’s awe inspiring!! I honestly don’t know how she’s not ultra-famous yet.

What’s your favorite song to perform live right now?

01.24.20

I have a new song called “Come on, Let’s Go!” and it’s a song that I wrote when I was dealing with disappointment and depression, wondering if the dreams in my head are too big or dumb. I wrote this song to encourage myself to get up out of bed and get going! It says “Come on, let’s go! Let’s shake off all our fears and let go!” I think when you’re going after your dreams you have to shake off fear of what people think, fear of failure, fear of not making it and just do it.

When did you play your first gig in Sac?

01.24.20

It was at Fig Tree Coffee four years ago after I moved from Columbus, Ohio to Sacramento.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

01.24.20

Living in Los Angeles or Nashville, writing for TV and film full time.

Who are your biggest influences?

01.24.20

Coldplay, Mumford and Sons, Bon Iver, Jonsi, Sigur Ros, Daniella Mason, Adam Agin, Copeland, Lovedrug and so many more.

Who first inspired you to play music?

01.24.20

My dad! He bought me studio time for my 15th Birthday and kept playing music from that moment on.

Who is your secret star crush?

01.24.20

No crushes other than my husband, Brett Evans! He has one of the best beards I’ve ever seen.

Words to live by?

01.24.20

Do it afraid.

You're given a magic wand. What do you do with it?

01.24.20

Heal people in the hospital and clean up trash in the ocean.

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