Striking Matches: The Nashville Duo's Sharp Country-Pop Sound

Striking Matches is an American country-pop duo from Nashville, Tennessee, formed by singer-songwriters and guitarists Sarah Zimmermann and Justin Davis. The pair achieved significant early recognition when multiple songs from their debut EP were placed on the popular television series Nashville, leading to a major label album release and establishing their reputation for intricate guitar work and harmonious vocals.

Early career

Sarah Zimmermann and Justin Davis met in 2007 as students at Belmont University in Nashville, famously paired during a guitar class assignment. Their immediate musical chemistry led to the formation of Striking Matches, and they began honing their sound through relentless gigging in the local scene. Their independent self-titled debut EP arrived in 2012, catching the attention of both critics and music supervisors.

Breakthrough

The duo's major breakthrough came in 2013 and 2014 when five of their songs were featured on the ABC television drama Nashville. This exposure, particularly for the tracks "When The Right One Comes Along" and "Hanging On A Lie," generated massive fan interest and led to a record deal with I.R.S. Records under the Capitol Music Group umbrella. Their debut album, Nothing But The Silence, was released in March 2015, debuting at number five on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

Key tracks

When The Right One Comes Along — This heartfelt ballad became their signature song after its poignant placement on Nashville and was a standout on their debut album.

Hanging On A Lie — An upbeat, guitar-driven track that showcased their instrumental prowess and became another fan favorite from the TV series.

Nothing But The Silence — The title track from their debut album perfectly encapsulates their blend of soulful vocals and modern country-pop production.

Missing You — This song highlights their seamless vocal harmonies and songwriting depth, further solidifying their album's critical appeal.

Following their debut, Striking Matches continued to tour extensively and write, though they parted ways with their major label. They maintain a dedicated fanbase through independent releases and dynamic live performances, celebrated for their dual guitar attack. Their music continues to blend country storytelling with pop melodies and a rock-influenced instrumental edge, a signature of their Nashville roots. Fans of the duo's harmonized, guitar-forward style should also explore similar artists from the American country and roots scene. The Civil Wars mastered the haunting, intimate male-female folk duo dynamic. Sugarland offers a similarly energetic and harmonically rich take on country-pop. Brothers Osborne deliver another potent mix of sibling harmonies and exceptional guitar work within the modern country framework.

The music of Striking Matches is a staple on modern country and singer-songwriter radio stations featured on this website. Their catalog, from the TV-synced hits to their deeper album cuts, receives regular airplay across a network of online radio streams and independent music radio stations that champion Nashville's evolving sound.

Listeners can discover the sharp guitar interplay and vocal blend of Striking Matches by tuning into the country and pop-rock radio stations available on onairium.com, where their music is regularly featured in the rotation.