Olive Hill — Sasha Colette, the lead singer of the rising band Sasha Colette and the Magnolias, has announced the band is set to release their highly anticipated EP, Back in Business, on May 31.
“‘Back in Business’ is a collection of some of my favorite songs I’ve been writing lately. The title track fell into place. It was a song my drummer, Steve Barker, wrote with me in mind,” she said. “He asked me to check it out and make changes if I wanted. I made those changes while working the song on piano. It started to sound like Elton John, so I knew I was on the right track.”
She added, “The idea of the song is a nod to my new status in my personal life. Things have shifted and I’m able to get back to pursuing my passions…not just writing music but performing it, recording it, living it out each day. I’m back in business now.”
The EP features standout tracks like “Kiss & Make Up” and “Folklore & Fairytales”, both previously released as singles.
On performing Kiss & Make Up, Colette says, “Ending a relationship can be a much-needed liberation for many people. I lovingly reference ‘Kiss & Make Up’ as ‘AKA: Anthem of a Retired Housewife.’”
Colette hopes her EP connects with listeners on a personal level.
“I hope these songs excite people,” she said. “The guys and I get a thrill from rehearsing and performing these songs. Chances are many people who hear this music know us personally, and I hope they love it because it sounds like their friends having a great time.”
The band is made up of: Sasha Colette [Olive Hill, KY] – Vocals, Guitar, Banjo; Steve Barker [Seth, WV] – Drums; Mike Parker [Middleport, OH] – Vocals, Lead Guitar; Doug Woodard [Ona, WV] – Vocals, Bass; and Maclean James [Ironton, OH] – Keys, Lead Guitar.
On the origin of the band’s name, Colette explains, “Magnolias are one of our first signs that spring is near. They are risky, they don’t mind showing up before it’s fully safe to bloom, because they’re ready.”
Balancing her life as a nurse, mother, and musician, Colette brings a refreshing authenticity to her music, blending heartfelt lyrics with energetic performances.
She says her nursing career has had an influence on her artistry.
“I’ve learned we all have a little something in common,” Colette says. “We all have bad days and everybody does things differently. My profession is a daily reminder of how fortunate I am to be able to have a body that can assist me in living out my idea of a good life.”
She added that motherhood has also shaped her as both a person and an artist.
“It’s interesting how you try to help your kids learn how to see the best in themselves, but in the meantime, as a mother you have to reinvent yourself, learn who you are all over again,” she says. “Motherhood, along with life, have helped me learn exactly who I am and who I am not.”
Colette hopes her dedication to music is a lesson in perseverance for her children.
“I hope my kids see that you can compare yourself to others, but that’s not always useful in the phases of blooming,” she said. “I want them to focus on success in their own life. We all bake our biscuits a little different. It’s great to know how to accept yourself, and it’s a learning process to do so.”
Back in Business will be available on all streaming platforms and as a CD at live shows. You can follow the band on Facebook and Instagram.
