Last week, we introduced you to rising country duo The Darlins.
For those of you who don’t know, The Darlins are comprised of former makeup artists Jude Toy and Erinn Bates that are ready to turn some heads with their new track “Crush.” “Crush” is also the title of their debut EP, Crush EP, that is filled with a sassy, rootsy adaptation of country sound.
As one of first songs that the duo wrote together, “Crush” holds a lot of meaning. “Jude had this cool riff and it sounded like the song was saying ‘Crush,’” says Erinn Bates. “We had both been through relationships where these guys were worse than we could imagine. We wrote it in about an hour and it was pouring down rain outside.”
Celeb Secrets Country caught up with Erinn and Jude recently to talk all things music and makeup! Take a read at the Q&A and listen to “Crush” below!
Celeb Secrets Country: Before you two became country singers, you both were makeup artists. What is the one beauty product that you can’t go a day without?
Jude: “A tough question, but mine would be concealer. I think it’s my saving grace after long days or late shows.”
Erinn: “My must have beauty product would have to be a great tinted moisturizer with SPF 15. It’s great underneath makeup or by itself.”
Celeb Secrets Country: Are you currently obsessed with any songs or shows at the moment?
Jude: “I am obsessed with the LoCash’s song “I Love This Life” and I am super excited about all our upcoming shows. We have a Bluebird date with some of our favorite writers and musicians. Buck Johnson who plays with Aerosmith is in our round. He may be bringing one very special guest to the show, so I am really looking forward to that.”
Erinn: “I can’t get “Drunk on Your Love” by Brett Eldredge out of my head. Absolutely love it. We have some great shows coming up. I can’t wait for our Bluebird show on May 13th, and I’m also looking forward to playing the Main Street Festival in Franklin, TN on April 23rd.”
Celeb Secrets Country: What made you guys decide to team up and become a duo?
Jude: “Erinn and I were always friends at Sephora, I knew how talented she was so I asked if she wanted to write and try singing together. I hated being a solo act. I always wanted to be in a duo.”
Erinn: “Jude invited me to come see her play at the Bluebird Cafe and I was blown away by her charisma and songwriting. When she asked me to write with her and perform around town, we knew from the first rehearsal that we had something great.”
The Darlins – Erinn Bates & Jude Toy
Celeb Secrets Country: What’s your favorite song off your new EP, Crush?
Jude: “I love them all, but I would say “Crush” for me or “Fast” I think both hold a lot of emotion for me personally.”
Erinn: “My favorite from the EP is “Black Crows and Scarecrows” because it’s unique and it came about through a dream that I had.”
Celeb Secrets Country: What’s the story behind your stage name?
Jude: “My parents loved the Andy Griffith show. I would watch the reruns and really liked the musical family “The Darlings” I thought “The Darlins” seemed like the perfect name for a duo, so when Erinn and I decided to sing together, we discussed a list of names, I put “The Darlins” on the list and she loved it!”
Erinn: “I loved the name “The Darlins” because it’s so dang country and you can’t help but smile when you say it.”
Celeb Secrets Country: What’s the process like when you’re writing and making music?
Jude: “Erinn and I usually have ideas before we even get together, we run it by each other and then develop the idea. I love working with such a motivated bright woman, Erinn is so talented and we are both very creative so the process is really fun and exciting.”
Erinn: “I love writing with Jude. We have a lot of similarities and are drawn to a lot of the same ideas. Jude is a fantastic guitar player and always has creative licks and grooves up her sleeves.”
Erinn Bates
Celeb Secrets Country: Who would you love to collaborate with in the future?
Jude: “I would love to write with Jeffrey Steele, Jon Stone, LoCash, Chris Janson, Tony Lane to name a few.”
Erinn: “My list is long, but to name a few I’d say Dolly Parton, Leslie Satcher, Robert L Castleman, and Craig Wiseman.”
Celeb Secrets Country: In 3 words, can you describe the other person?
Jude: “Beautiful, Talented and Brilliant”
Erinn: “Rockstar, Charismatic, Gorgeous.”
Celeb Secrets Country: Now that your EP is finally out, are you guys working on any other projects?
Jude: “We are always working, it’s a nonstop pursuit. We are writing, doing social media and lots of shows. There is always something to do. We want to record this month. Two new songs. “Love Built” and “Blackberry Whiskey””
Erinn: “Yes, work is always nonstop. We are looking forward also to releasing our music video for “Crush,” the title track off of our EP.”
Jude Toy
Since we are Celeb Secrets Country, can you tell us a secret about yourself or each other that your fans may not know?
Jude: “Erinn has the most fascinating dreams. They are very real and interesting. I almost think prophetic and detailed. I want her to write a book. My secret is that I’ve written a pilot for a television show. I wrote it with Mark Islam from The Amazing Race. I would love to write more pilots and develop shows on the side.”
Erinn: “Jude has a sixth sense that is absolutely amazing. She is very in tune to what’s around her and knows a lot of the time what’s going to happen before most people do. Her nickname is Psychic Sue.”
