Drew Holcomb performs with his wife, Ellie, last year at Fulton Chapel. Courtesy: Clara Thompson
This year marks a decade since the release of Drew Holcomb and The Neighbor’s debut album “Washed in Blue.” That same year, Drew Holcomb played a single set at the Double Decker Arts Festival and asked his future wife Ellie Bannister out for the first time. This Thursday marks Holcomb’s return to Oxford, along with his wife and daughter Emmylou, after the release of his ninth album.
Over the years, Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors have created a huge fan base in Oxford. Many students said they love their sound and look forward to their concerts each year.
“I’ve probably seen them 10 times,” said junior accountancy major, Ann Walton Stringer. “They used to stay at my house when they would pass through Jackson. “
On Jan. 27 of this year, Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors released their new 12-song album, “Medicine.” The band is made up of vocalist Drew Holcomb, guitarist and keys player Nathan Dugger and bassist Rick Brinsfield. Though his wife was not featured on this album, Holcomb said she was still a big part of the music.
“Her presence is always there in my songwriting, especially in ‘You’ll Always Be My Girl,’” Holcomb said.
“Medicine” is the band’s first album to be recorded almost completely live. Recorded in just eight days, it tackles issues of everyday life such as loyalty, hardship, marriage, friendship, alienation and faith. Holcomb said that they have had a great response to the album so far.
“The great thing about music is that you release it into the world, and then you have no control over how people respond to it and what it means to them,” Holcomb said. “So far, we have heard incredible responses from fans, new and old, about how this record is our best work yet.”
At Ole Miss, students have had similar reactions.
“The best word to describe Drew’s work is pure,” said sophomore accountancy major, Will Walker. “His genuine thoughts and words paired with the acoustic blend of The Neighbors has a funny way of vocalizing and connecting with what a large portion of people have felt at some point in their lives.”
Oxford is also an important part of Drew’s life and played a big part in the launching of his music career.
“When my music career was first starting, I played cover gigs at The Levee and the Powerhouse,” Holcomb said.
He said he has played in Oxford at least a dozen times throughout the years; his band began headlining at local venues Proud Larry’s and The Lyric Oxford about five years ago.
Since that time, Holcomb said he believes his music has evolved greatly.
“At the end of the day though, all of our records have been about the songs, and as the songs evolve, so does our sound,” Holcomb said. “I think my songwriting has gotten a lot better over the years—more incisive, more thoughtful.”
