Actor, singer-songwriter and musician, Chord Overstreet, was born and raised outside of Nashville, TN alongside 5 siblings. Encouraged from an early age to foster his love of music, Chord plays the mandolin, drums, flute, piano and guitar. Chord’s father, Paul Overstreet, is a successful country singer and songwriter and his brother, Nash Overstreet, is in the band Hot Chelle Rae.
As a teenager, Chord modeled for Hollister, Famous Footwear, and Gap. Upon graduation from high school he decided to pursue a career in acting. After two years of pounding the pavement, Chord’s big break came in 2010 when he landed the role of Sam Evans in the FOX comedy-drama television series, Glee. Chord’s cover of Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire” on Glee was released as a single and charted at #28 in the US. He stayed with the show as a series regular until its final season.
With a newfound fan base of support, Chord decided to switch gears and follow his passion for music. In 2015 he signed with Safehouse Records (founded by Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas and Phil McIntyre). He released 2 singles, “Homeland” and “Hold On” followed by his first EP in 2017, Tree House Tapes. As a solo artist, Chord performed on NBC’s Today as Elvis Duran’s Artist of the Month and on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Chord’s musical influences include James Taylor, David Gray, Jimmy Buffett, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Hall & Oates.
In early 2018, Chord announced a new project, OVERSTREET. The alt-pop-rock group released their first single, “Wasted Time”. Their second single, “Carried Away” garnered over 1,700,000 streams on Spotify. OVERSTREET plans to release their debut EP this summer in the form of singles – kicking it off with “All Nighter” which is out now. OVERSTREET is currently on the road with The Score and Lostboycrow.
LEG: What was your first experience with music? Did you play in any bands when you were growing up?
My dad was a country music artist and songwriter, so I grew up in Nashville surrounded by music. I didn’t really start writing my own songs until I was in high school because I sometimes felt like I was walking in my dad’s shadow a little.
LEG: How did you put the band together? Can you give us a brief history?
I signed with Island Records in 2016 and most of my early songwriting was done just me on an acoustic guitar, as that is how I had always written growing up. I did a tour the beginning of 2017 opening for Gavin James acoustically and, while it was a blast, it was also hard to keep the crowd’s attention. I was pouring these emotional songs out of me and I was not getting much in return. After that tour, I took some time and really started experimenting with new producers and more progressive sounds. I wanted to create a live show environment that was more of a party where I could give the audience something and they could reciprocate that same energy back to me. Thus, OVERSTREET was born.
LEG: You just released a new single, “All Nighter” Can you tell us about it?
It is a song about being in a familiar place, but not in familiar circumstances. When I went to New York City for the first time, it was with a girl I was dating. She really showed me around the city and took me to all of the coolest places she knew. Fast forward a few years later and I’m back in NYC visiting these same places that I did with her (because they are the only places I know there), but the vibe is totally different.
It shows you that physical places stay the same, but the way we interpret those physical spaces can change based on so many variables, including the emotional attachment to those spaces. I stayed up all night thinking about her and how much fun we had that first trip and that feeling just stuck with me.
LEG: We really enjoyed your show this week at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn. Can you tell us about OVERSTREET’s touring and who you are on the road with these days?
CO: We did a west coast run opening for Weathers in March of 2019 which was the first tour as OVERSTREET. We had a blast and we are really excited to be carrying that momentum over to this current tour with The Score and Lostboycrow.
LEG: So, you’re a brand new band in LA. How do you differentiate yourself from the hundreds of other acts that are out there?
CO: It can be challenging to stand out, for sure. We are still developing on the live side of things, but we are sort of attacking the recorded stuff from a different angle than most of the local bands. We definitely have indie-alt-So-Cal influences, but we also have this 80’s-nostalgic vibe that feels sort of unique to us. We like to pitch the project as a Foster The People meets The Police. I think that is a unique lane in contemporary music.
LEG: Can we expect more music in the near future?
CO: ABSOLUTELY! Now that we are independent we have the ability to put music out as we see fit. We plan on releasing a new song every 4-6 weeks through the end of 2019. Releasing music and playing shows is the name of the game for us this year.
We have an amazing cover of “Sex On Fire” by Kings of Leon that is coming out soon. I am friends with Jared Followil from the band and I shared it with him. He said it was the best cover of that song he has heard, and I’m sure they get a lot of them.
LEG: What music are you listening to for pleasure these days?
CO: Loving what the guys in ARIZONA have been doing lately, as well as The1975’s new album. A buddy of mine, Isom Innis from Foster the People, produced some of COIN’s new stuff, which is dope. Really big fan of Jacob Banks as well...his voice will MOVE you!
LEG: What’s the best way for fans to follow the new project and stay connected with you?
CO: I’m on Facebook, Instagram, etc at…