Chillin’ with Sugar Lime Blue

What is there to do while jamming to Sugar Lime Blue?

Their objective is for every listener to interpret the sound and have it transformed in their brains to raw emotions that are comforting, exciting, and get us up to dance. Sugar Lime Blue is a real band, where the musicians are trying to develop something fresh and unique in every moment. The group was established 1999, when Dave & Ashley Beth first met in Texas. They fell for each other, got married, and considered branching the love they shared out toward a musical direction. Sugar Lime Blue had its first official shows in 2007. In the following years, they went through several musicians while searching for the sound they felt was right.

There came a point in 2010 when the two would consider abandoning the “band” idea and settle as an acoustic duo. This is when they met Russ Dean who had recently moved to the Nashville area from California. After bonding over a shared interest in jam band music (specifically the Grateful Dead), they began playing as a three piece acoustically. Their first album “Far from the Tree” was roughly halfway done at the time, so Russ filled in with bass on the songs that were incomplete.

There was just one small bump in the road. The sound they produced defied genre classification and industry insiders were reluctant to work with the band without a way to market them to a specific audience. During a small recording hiatus, they continued to play out live at a rate of about 60 shows a year (which they keep up today) in the general area around their Nashville base, slowly building a following in the region.

Next in store for the band was to start recording again. So, in 2012, they set up in Beth’s home and recorded five new songs for what was planned as the first half of their sophomore release. At this point the electric band had a steady line-up with Steven Brooks on drums & John Simpson on Pedal Steel/Guitar. Not much time passed, and the band was again without a drummer, resulting in a long period of searching through about a dozen different options over the next two years. Regardless of all the different structures the band has taken a stab at, they never lost their will to make music that is pleasing to the ear, and to this day they persist. “Sugar Lime Blue is a family bound by love and music with the goal to be able to spread that music love around.” Chilled sat down with Ashley from SLB to reveal her drinks and eats of choice.

Tell us about the projects you are working on.

We are currently back in Blackbird studio working on our 4^th album. We also continue to issue the #SundayShoutOut, Sugar Lime Blue’s weekly acoustic YouTube video series dedicated to our fans and followers 6 years running. (YouTube.com/sugarlimeblue)

With your busy schedule, what do you like to do with your downtime?

I love to cook, watch anime with our daughter, play with our fur babies, make jewelry, garden, and put together puzzles.

When you go out to eat, where do you like to dine?

We like to eat at and support smaller local restaurants (Mom and Pop style). So whatever the locals recommend, when we are on tour, we like to try!

What types of dishes do you typically order?

I like a wide variety of food, so it varies. I like sushi, soups, salads, and sandwiches. My favorite is coffee and dessert though!

Any favorite bars?

We’ve played lots of cool venues that I’d consider bars over the life of the band but some cool ones that come to mind are: Smiley’s in Greenville, SC, Gaslight in Huntingburg, IN, Scallop Republic in Port Saint Joe, FL, and Jimmy’s here in our little town of Lebanon, TN!

What drinks do you order when out?

I enjoy dark beers; Stouts and Porters. As well as an occasional whiskey and coke.

Do you prepare drinks at home?

Yes, always the most budget friendly way!

Tell us about your home bar. What is it stocked with?

We have some beautiful stemware that we use for or wine consumption, which we usually have on hand. We also keep whisky, scotch, vodka, rum, and a few other liquors I use for cooking.

What’s your favorite drink?

Coffee—dark; beer—dark; wine—sweet; spirits—whiskey and coke or White Russians.

Have you ever been a bartender?

Nope.

If you could share a drink with anyone, who would it be?

My husband, Dave who is one of my favorite people ever, my confidant and friend. Other than that, it would be fun to do an episode of Drunk History.