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sixpence
Randee St. Nicholas
By Liane Bonin
Liane Bonin
Liane Bonin is a senior writer for EW.com

If you haven't heard "Kiss Me," the infectious single from Sixpence None the Richer's self-titled album, you probably aren't a TV-addicted teenager. Featured in "She's All That" (currently in theaters) and the "Dawson's Creek" soundtrack (due in April), the song recently landed at No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100. To top off its lucky streak, the Nashville-based quintet just scored its first Grammy nomination. There's just one problem.

Sixpence, whose music recalls the trance-pop of the Sundays more than the stuff of Sunday sermons, landed its Grammy nod in the Best Rock Gospel Album category. "We tried to avoid that," sighs 26-year-old guitarist-cellist-songwriter Matt Slocum. "We even registered not to be nominated in that category (because) that's not all that we are. There's more to us" -- namely, a catchy crossover pop sound.

But before anyone demands a recount of the votes, it should be noted that the band does have religious roots. "We were very, very young when we first started, and the first label that came to us was a small Christian independent label out of Nashville, and we thought, 'Why not?'" 22-year-old lead singer Leigh Nash tells EW Online. "We're all Christians, and we didn't really understand the reasons to stay away from (Christian music). It's not because we're ashamed of our religion, but because it can pigeonhole you right away and turn off a huge number of people before they even hear your music."

There's no need to worry about that now, thanks to "Kiss Me"'s airplay ubiquity. And how does the band feel about tonight's Grammys? "We're honored, no matter what," says Leigh. "We don't really expect to win, since most of the other bands (including Petra and Ashley Cleveland) are very well known in the Christian music industry. But that's totally fine."


Posted Feb 24, 1999 | Order Article Reprints