Higgs and Westerman release new single May 13
Big Island-based singer/rapper Higgs and Nashville singer-songwriter Amber Westerman have teamed up to release a new single titled “Level Head” on May 13. The two met at the Hawaii Songwriter’s Festival in 2018 and were a part of the Big Island Songwriters, a small community of composers/musicians. It was during one of the group’s 2020 weekly online meetups that the seed was planted for this collaboration.
The single “Level Head,” will be available on all major streaming platforms on May 13. You can pre-save it here.
“I remember one week when Amber shared this song that she’d started I was like ‘Dang this is a cool vibe. I’d love to put a verse on it,’” recalled Higgs. “She graciously accepted, so we did a few zoom writing sessions and ended up tracking it to release as a single. During our writing sessions, we dug deep into our motivations as artists and how finding that balance between wanting success and wanting to share music independent of what outcome it may or may not bring can be tricky. Those conversations are always good to have because there are so many outside voices trying to tell us what success means. The song to me is just about staying grounded through the noise and not just chasing that carrot at the end of the stick”
For Westerman, the idea for the song came from a personal experience. “I was having many inner battles around comparing myself to all the hustle of the music business since moving to Nashville,” said the singer. “This song speaks the truth to where I stand with my music. It’s definitely a dream to be successful, but I know in my heart that that not only means being supported by [music]financially but also using it to move through my own battles and touch the lives of others who relate.”
With regards to fame, both Higgs and Amber have a similar take. “I don’t want to be a famous artist,” said Amber. “I just want to write music, touch others and enjoy what I do.” Higgs echoed the sentiment. “Fame is low on my priority list. I have friends who get really caught up in name recognition and accolades, and those things can be a great measure of success, but for me they aren’t the end all be all. At the end of the day, I’d rather have my music be heard than win awards.”
The two also teamed up with esteemed Nashville mixer/producer Sean Rogers to mix and master the song. All instruments were recorded in Higgs’ home studio.
Amber Westerman
With her pure and tranquil voice, Amber Westerman’s music and lyrics open your heart, refresh your mind, and touch your soul. As an artist, she aspires to bring awareness to the heart, inspiring listeners to take action in their own lives from a heart-centered space. Amber’s songs carry messages of love, self-empowerment, and conscious living through her captivating, and soothing pop-folk style. Amber is originally from the heart of central Texas and currently resides in Nashville, TN. She began her career as a singer-songwriter shortly after moving to the Big Island of Hawai’i in 2016. While there, she found herself spending time working with the land, becoming deeply inspired to share her process of overcoming inner struggles through music. Amber has since shared the stage with many artists including Mishka, Buckman Coe, and Caleb Hart.
Higgs
Higgs is here to make people feel something. His songwriting –while introspective in nature- is motivated by a genuine desire to connect with listeners as they navigate the nuanced landscape of the human condition. Whether you’re laughing, crying, or just looking for an excuse to get out of bed in the morning, Higgs’ songs aim to be relatable through his low-key, acoustic rap style. Inspired by his personal life and drawing on the experiences of growing up in Hawaii, Higgs music is chill and carefully crafted. The multi-instrumentalist has been honing his skills as a songwriter & musician since he went solo in 2012. His debut record The Letdown is available wherever records are sold online. His mixtape is due out summer 2021.
Connect with Higgs
IG: https://www.instagram.com/higgsofficial
FB: https://www.facebook.com/higgsofficial
Web: http://higgsmusic.com
Connect with Amber Westerman
IG: https://www.instagram.com/amberwesterman
FB: https://www.facebook.com/amberlwesterman
Web: https://www.amberwestermanmusic.com