BreatheCast Interview with Sonflowerz

The Sonflowerz are a Christian sister duo group based out of Colorado Springs, CO. They have release five albums and opened up for artists such as Third Day, Building 429, Laura Story, Needtobreathe and Sanctus Real around the country and also opened for Sara Groves' Christmas tour. They have joined with LifeWay Women and are currently working on their first book release as well. 

We'd like to thank Elissa and Becca for taking the time to do this interview with BreatheCast. 

BreatheCast: You're 'Love Walked In' EP is finished and releasing in September, how excited are you for the release?

Elissa: "We have an amazing anticipation about the new release "Love Walked In" (sept.10^th). One year ago I never would have imagined a new record coming out now. I had spent the whole year writing and hitting walls. But in December everything changed when the song "Love Walked In" fell into our laps. I wrote most of it in a few hours. From there it seemed like an avalanche of songs arrived. Our new producer, Michael Rossback (New Life Worship, Gungor, Paul Balouche) did a great job giving us a fresh sound."

BreatheCast: How did you come up with your band name?

Elissa: "If you've ever seen a field of sunflowers you know it's a spectacular sight. The band name originated 13 years ago when we began in high school. Sure it was an all girl band and that is plenty reason to be called The Sonflowerz. But there is also an inspiring symbolism behind the name. Just like a field of sunflowers turn to face the sun in the sky so we too can live our lives following the Son of God.

At this point in the band we are really identifying with the true mission of the name, Sonflowerz. As our Kickstarter launches Made to Shine girls events, we are excited to see young women across the country live bold and beautiful for Christ."

BreatheCast: How have camps and conferences shaped your ministry?

Elissa: "One conference that has shaped our ministry is "You and Your Girl" with Lifeway.  We toured with speaker Vicki Courtney for four years. Seeing hundreds of girls and their moms connect with God during worship and grow in Christ during our seminars was something I will never forget."

BreatheCast: How would you describe your sound for people that haven't heard of you guys and what bands have influenced your sound?

Elissa: "The music of the sunflowers is a collaboration of two sisters who grew up listening to Christian and worship music. Our sound resonates with a pop feel as well as an acoustic vibe bent on worship. Delirious?, DC Talk and Sara Groves have given us a lot of inspiration."

BreatheCast: Tell us about your "Made to Shine" devotional?

Elissa:  "It's been four years since Becca and I sat down to start writing the Made To Shine devotional. It's a message that has been stirring in our hearts for much longer than that. We are writing to girls as young as 10 and as old as 17. The book has a conversational tone and is very interactive! We share stories from our lives as sisters and friends as well as stories from our relationships with our husbands. The heart of our message is to communicate God's infinite, unconditional love for each girl.

We are currently finishing the final draft of the book but you can preorder it on our kickstarter page until August 20. When you preorder it there you are also enabling us to take the message of the book on our Made to Shine girls-only tour. Join the journey! http://bit.ly/SonflowerzKickstart "

BreatheCast: When did you know that you wanted to focus your ministry on young women?  

Becca: "It really came to the surface for me while doing mother/daughter events with LifeWay.  Hearing directly from girls who were struggling so much broke my heart.  And we began blogging about issues facing young women.  It's just been a journey of learning what is needed and how we can be part of the solution."

BreatheCast: If you could collaborate with one Secular Artist and one Christian Artist, who would you choose?

Becca: "Two Sara's: Sara Bareilles and Sara Groves."

BreatheCast: What are the biggest strengths and struggles of being a sister duo?  

Becca: "There is strength in that we know each other so well, that we're able to work together to accomplish a lot.  Our band is just two people, we manage ourselves and book ourselves.  I think it's also about God's grace fueling our efforts.  The struggles of being a sister duo?  Could have used a third sister to help accomplish it all!  But joking aside, it's a blessing and an honor to do ministry with family.  God is sovereign in that."

BreatheCast: Do you guys have a favorite scripture as a band or a truth that you guys use a lot? If not, what are some personal favorite verses of yours?

Becca: "Our theme this year has been Matthew 5:14-16. It just keeps coming up.  Jesus calls us the light of the world, to shine brightly and unashamed.  If we can simply be faithful to this, God can use it to inspire others in this way.  The challenge is really living it out, day to day, which comes when we surrender to His Spirit's work in our lives.  As sisters we often encourage each other with this."

BreatheCast: What are your touring plans for this Fall 2013?

Becca: "Our aim, through this Kickstarter campaign, is to host "Made To Shine" events for girls this fall and Spring.  Small, intimate nights where we do concerts, eat dinner with the girls and a heart-to-heart talk.  Hopefully it will be a blast for them, but also leave them thinking more about how much God loves them and has called them to shine for Him.  I'm excited to kick it off! You can check out more info and videos HERE"