Summary of "Better Together with Tigirlily Gold" Episode on "On the Bus with Troy Vollhoffer"
Introduction to Tigirlily Gold
In the April 3, 2025 episode of "On the Bus with Troy Vollhoffer," host Troy Vollhoffer welcomes the rising female country duo, Tigirlily Gold, composed of sisters Kendra and Krista. Originating from the small town of Hazen, North Dakota, Tigirlily Gold has swiftly ascended the country music scene, earning accolades such as the ACM New Duo of the Year in 2024—the only second female duo to ever receive this honor. Their debut album, "Blonde," released in July 2024, has been well-received, propelling them from Nashville’s bar scene to major stages across North America.
Early Beginnings and Formation
Troy initiates the conversation by highlighting the duo’s rugged journey through Nashville’s challenging bar circuit. Kendra shares, “[00:07] That was our big break because you could be just as talented as you were before. But it takes that person who everybody respects in Nashville to get behind you and say, hey, listen to these girls. Their music's great. But until you have that, it's really, really hard to get Nashville's attention without that.”
The sisters recount their humble beginnings, stating that they started Tigirlily Gold at the ages of 14 and 16, performing in Midwest bars and hustling to gain recognition. Krista explains the significance behind their name: “[02:54] It comes from the Tiger Lily flower because it grew naturally in our parents' backyards. And then later on we added on Gold for several reasons, and we also changed the spelling of Tiger Lily to Thai Girl Lily.”
Breakthrough with Monument Records
A pivotal moment in their career was signing with Monument Records, a division of Sony. Krista describes the experience: “[03:30] We moved to Nashville almost eight years ago... In 2020, we got a call from Monument Records, and after meeting industry legends like Shane McInally, it was clear that our journey was about to take a significant turn.” The record deal came during the COVID-19 pandemic, a challenging period that temporarily halted their live performances. The duo credits Shane McInally and Monument Records for their accelerated rise, noting, “[05:46] He helped co-write our brand new single that's going to radio called 'Forever From Here.' He’s just great.”
Navigating the Live Music Scene
Troy delves into the duo’s extensive experience performing live and the skills they've honed through years of playing in bars. Krista shares the intensity of their early gigs: “[07:31] It’s terrifying. When you do your first four-hour cover gig, you have to learn 60 to 80 songs and it’s an audition, basically.” Kendra adds, “[08:10] You need to have natural talent, but also you need to work at it and develop that skill.” Their perseverance paid off, allowing them to adapt their skills to larger venues and festivals.
Songwriting and Creative Process
A significant portion of the discussion focuses on their songwriting process. Krista emphasizes their collaborative approach: “[19:48] We always write all of our own songs together because we feel like that creates the best Tigirlily Gold sound.” Kendra elaborates on their complementary strengths: “[20:02] Kendra being the lead singer is more melodically driven... She’s very good conceptually, keeps me on track.” They maintain a balance of creativity and critical evaluation to ensure their music resonates with audiences.
Influences and Inspirations
Tigirlily Gold draws inspiration from a diverse array of artists and genres. Krista mentions, “[11:23] We loved The Chicks, Sugarland, Rascal Flatts, Little Big Town, Lady A, Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert, Shania Twain.” Additionally, their upbringing in church infused their music with hymn-like qualities, blending traditional and contemporary country sounds.
Goals and Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, Tigirlily Gold outlines ambitious goals aiming for longevity and continued success in the industry. Kendra states, “[10:38] Specifically with country radio, there's never been a sister duo in the history of country music ever to have a number one at country radio.” Their immediate objectives include releasing new music, with a single “Forever From Here” slated for radio on Monday, and an upcoming record expected between August and November 2025. Krista adds, “[28:03] Hopefully in 26, we're on to our second or third number one... We're doing our own big club, small arena tour.”
Dynamic as Sisters and Duo
The chemistry between Kendra and Krista plays a crucial role in their success. They discuss the advantages of being siblings in the music industry, highlighting their ability to support and balance each other. Krista remarks, “[17:20] We get to play festivals together... If we're having a terrible day, we can just look at each other and laugh.” Kendra emphasizes, “[19:42] We balance each other out really well, there's no ego in the band... We keep it real.”
Radio vs. Streaming: Industry Perspectives
Troy solicits their views on the evolving landscape of music distribution, particularly the roles of radio and streaming. Kendra asserts, “[34:10] I think they're both still so important. You can have a massive career without country radio, but it's very rare.” Krista concurs, “[34:30] If you're thinking about the top people in country music, they are cranking out country radio hits and also streaming massively.” They believe that success in country music still heavily relies on a combination of radio presence and streaming metrics.
Closing Thoughts and Future Engagements
Troy concludes the episode by expressing his confidence in Tigirlily Gold’s potential for enduring success. He encourages listeners to follow their journey and anticipates future collaborations, stating, “[36:38] Let’s do this again, reflect and get you on Country Thunder next year.” The episode wraps up with a brief promotion of upcoming segments, though these are outside the scope of the main conversation.
Notable Quotes
- Kendra: “[00:07] That was our big break because you could be just as talented as you were before.”
- Krista: “[20:02] Kendra being the lead singer is more melodically driven… She’s very good conceptually, keeps me on track.”
- Kendra: “[10:38] Specifically with country radio, there's never been a sister duo in the history of country music ever to have a number one at country radio.”
- Krista: “[34:30] If you're thinking about the top people in country music, they are cranking out country radio hits and also streaming massively.”
Conclusion
This episode of "On the Bus with Troy Vollhoffer" provides an intimate look into Tigirlily Gold’s journey from small-town aspirations to national recognition. Through candid discussions about their struggles, breakthroughs, creative processes, and future ambitions, Kendra and Krista illustrate the resilience and passion driving their success in the competitive country music landscape. Their emphasis on collaboration, live performance skills, and strategic use of both radio and streaming platforms underscores their commitment to building a sustainable and impactful career.