Artist To Watch: Thompson Square
If your a follower of music, it’s no surprise why Tragic Kingdom is featuring the husband-and-wife duo, Shawna and Keifer Thompson of Thompson Square. The two singers met at a singing competition, where they had immediate romantic chemistry, after moving to Nashville separately to pursue solo careers. And although the chemistry didn’t initially lead them to share the stage, eventually the pair found it making sense. When a mutual friend – who had once tried to pursuade them against forming a duo – saw the pair perform at local Nashville club, he was blown away be their energy and cutting-edge style. It became obvious that their on-stage chemistry could be just as successful as it was off. After a few phone calls, the pair were performing in front of the heads at Stoney Creek Records.
Early last year, Thompson Square signed with Nashville-based label and hit the ground running. It wasn’t long after that their first single, “Let’s Fight” was released to country radio. After a short lived stint on the Hot Country Songs chart, peaking at number 58, the band prepared the release of their second single. And, what seemed like overnight, Thompson Square had music fans everywhere asking, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” over and over again. Now on heavy rotation on most mainstream radio stations, the song and duo seem unstoppable. “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” is rapidly climbing a number of Billboard charts. This week Thompson Square landed in the top spot of Billboard’s Heatseekers chart, number 51 on the Hot 100, and climbed to the number 20 spot on the Hot Country Songs chart. As the song continues to skyrocket each week, fans anticipate the upcoming arrival of their debut album.
The self-titled album, out February 8th, follows in the successful second single’s footsteps. It combines Keifer’s soulful chops, influenced by the likes of Merle Haggard and Tom Petty, and Shawna’s traditional, and tender, country vocals, meshing to make a unique sound that is inspiring to the country community. Although the first major hit from the record features more Keifer than Shawna, the album delicately allows them both to shine. For example, on the radio-ready track, “Glass”, Shawna tears at heartstrings comparing a fragile girl’s resemblence to a sheet of glass. And the two share melodies, blending beautifully to create “My Kind of Crazy” and the Bonnie & Clyde-esque “Getaway Car”, a song about chasing dreams like a “couple young hearts”. The standouts on the disc, aside from the aforementioned smash single, are ironically the upbeat opening number, “I Got You”, and the last track, “One of Those Days”, a recount of a day when nothing seems to be going right. But with the inevitable success Thompson Square is about to endure, it’s hard to imagine them having one of those days anytime soon.
Be sure to pick up a copy of their debut album, Thompson Square, in stores and online February 8th and check out the video for the hit single, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” below.
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