Leigh Nash finds motherhood her muse on new solo album

When Henry Nash’s mom sings to him before he falls asleep he probably doesn’t appreciate the performance he’s getting. You see unlike most parents, Henry’s mom, Leigh, is a ringer with a musical career that began professionally when she was just a teenager. Leigh Nash, who just released her first solo album Blue on Blue, was the lead vocalist for Sixpence None the Richer, the band behind the hugely popular singles Kiss Me and There She Goes.

Leigh’s musical career began in her hometown of New Braunfels, Texas when she started playing guitar and singing “old country songs.” “I was really, really shy but just had this desire to get on stage and started calling clubs myself to ask if I could come down and sing,” says Nash

Soon she would meet Matt Slocum and the two would found Sixpence None the Richer. While Sixpence was considered a Christian band, they enjoyed a great amount of crossover success with hit singles There She Goes and Kiss Me, which was featured prominently on the TV Show Dawson’s Creek and the movie She’s All That.

After 13 years the band parted amicably and shortly thereafter, Leigh and her husband welcomed their son, Henry, into the world. Leigh had always wanted to do a solo album and Henry gave her a new source of inspiration. “ Motherhood came pretty fast, and I started writing a ton about Henry. I just found that there was a much deeper well within me than there had been before. This was probably because it was such an emotional process with the band breaking up and all the other things happening at once.”

Blue on Blue, her first solo album was released on August 15th 2006 on One Son Records, Nash’s own label through Nettwerk Productions. The album has received praise from both critics and reviewers on Amazon as well. Leigh talked with Clever Parents her musical influences, Henry’s favorite songs, and babies “natural rythmn.”

Clever Parents: How long have you been in the music business?
Leigh Nash: 15 years

CP: How would you define your style? What inspires your music?
LN: Intelligent pop? I don’t know: ) I’m inspired by life, good and bad stuff. My son has been a major source of inspiration since his birth.

CP: What instruments do you play?
LN: I play the guitar, that’s it. and i play it pretty poorly. i have written some good songs with my poor guitar skills, so i’m glad i play, even though i could be better!

CP: Who are your musical influences? What are you listening to now?
LN: I grew up listening to Wille Nelson, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, George Jones and Tammy Wynette…among many others! Now my tastes are more varied. I love Keane, Lahsa de Sela, Robert Post, Rufus Wainwright…lots of stuff!

CP: How has having a child affected your music?
LN: I have been so inspired by motherhood, falling in love with this boy is the best thing that ever happened to me!

CP: What are some of Henry’s favorite songs?
LN: Henry loves the usual toddler hits like; The Itsy Bitsy Spider, Hush Little Baby, Rock A Bye Baby, The Bumble Bee Song…he like listening to whatever we’re listening to in the car too.

CP: What are some things that parents can do to encourage musical creativity in their kids?
LN: Play music softly to them when they’re in the womb. I think it’s amazing to do that for your child. It calms mom and baby. I also think just letting them “be” is a good thing as far as music is concerned. I think babies have a natural rythmn, they just need a little freedom to march to their own drummer!

CP: When you aren’t playing music or taking care of Henry, what do you like to do?
LN: I love to read, take baths, walks, see movies, hang out with friends…normal stuff!

For all things Leigh, check out her website and MySpace page where you can listen to the My Idea of Heaven and Between the Lines (both favorites here at Clever Parents.) You can also, of course, purchase the album from Amazon or iTunes.