The past two years have been just shy of paranormal
for Sixpence None the Richer. Widely hailed as the artist development
story of 1998, Sixpence's climb to stardom is becoming the breakthrough
story of 1999. What began seven years ago as the brainchild of two teenagers
from Texas is now an international triumph.
After relying on a small but devoted fanbase for
the last several years, this once obscure rock band is on the verge of becoming
a household name. With their Grammy nominated self-titled album climbing
The Billboard 200 sales chart, and the #1 smash hit "Kiss Me" leading the
way at several formats in the U.S., Canada and the U.K., Sixpence
is cherishing every moment of hard-won acceptance.
Immediate critical response to SIXPENCE NONE
THE RICHER earned the band a spot on last summer's Lilith Fair stop in
Nashville. The group spent the next several months on the road playing clubs
and visiting radio stations to build support of the "Kiss Me" single. November
of '98 marked a pivotal endorsement when VH1 invited Sixpence to debut
nationally on their new series, THE MIDNIGHT MINUTE. The band performed special
acoustic versions of "Kiss Me" and "The Lines of My Earth." "Everybody at
VH1 was really knocked out by them when they came in to perform," recalls
executive producer, Bill Flanagan. "Sixpence is so advanced musically
and at the same time offers a youthful optimism. It's wonderful to encounter
a band who has the best of both worlds."
"When we recorded our album, I think we were all
at a point in our lives where we ready to give up our dreams," Matt concludes,
reflecting on the past two years. "I know I was. So, hope was the message-don't
ever give up hope for yourself. And this has all been really great, because
the record was made, supported and then nominated for a Grammy. It's good
to see how far it's come."