Columbia, Maryland native Risa Binder developed her sound in New York by way of Los Angeles, but her latest EP celebrates what she learned when she moved to Nashville.
Although her pop sensibility stems from those bi-coastal excursions, it was Nashville that gave her the tools for telling stories. The title track off her latest EP Nashville chronicles her experiences traveling back and forth from Brooklyn to Music Row where she recorded the album.
"On my first trip out to Nashville, I called the person who I was staying with to tell them I was flying in late," Binder told us about writing the song. "They responded with 'I'll leave a light on for you.' I remember being in the airport in New York thinking, 'Wow. Someone left a light on for me in Nashville.' That's a song.
"So I wrote half the song on the plane ride there and the other half while I was visiting. After that trip, every time I would visit Nashville to write and record, something magical would happen to me. I'm not alone in these experiences. Most artists I've talked with out here in Nashville have similar stories. If you are drawn to Nashville, it's for a reason - almost like Nashville is calling you.
"After living here a year now (and visiting for 4 years), I had the opportunity to be the opening act with my band for country legend Ronnie Milsap at The Country Music Hall of Fame. It was a dreamy night. When I started to sing 'Nashville,' I looked out into the crowd so thankful to be there on that stage. And then I looked up at that spotlight shining down on us, and all I could think was, 'Thank you, Nashville, for leaving a light on for me.'"
The holiday-themed performance video, which you can watch exclusively here at Music Times, will fill you with cheer and have you itching for a trip to Music City, USA.
For more information on Binder and her new record, head to her website and follow her on Twitter.
