Life & Work with Steffi Ledbetter

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steffi Ledbetter and Corbin Hoats.

Hi Steffi, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
We initially met in a local theater production of Little Women in which we shared a duet. We noticed that our voices worked well together and began getting together with the interest of working on original music. We immediately saw the promise of making a living performing as an acoustic duo and began additionally working together to create acoustic arrangements of some of our favorite songs. With Steffi coming from more of a classical/jazz background and me (Corbin) coming from more of an acoustic singer-songwriter background, we stumbled upon a unique sound through which we complemented each other’s musical strengths while also bringing interesting contrasting elements into the mix.

We began to perform regularly as a cover duo on a professional basis, all the while continuing our work on original music. We eventually got a full band together to perform our original material and shuffled through several band names and members. We landed several gigs we were especially proud under the name “Alcotts” before eventually parting ways for a bit to pursue our own individual pursuits. Steffi went on to work as a professional vocalist, eventually landing one of her dream jobs performing for Cirque Du Soleil at Disney in Orlando, FL; while I continued to work in the local gig scene in and around Atlanta, GA.

We kept in touch and frequently agreed that nothing fulfilled us as much as pursuing careers as original artists. After an extended break from working on any original material we decided to start a fresh new project, “Peach Motif”, in early 2018. Since then, we’ve continued to correspond and collaborate, writing and sending demo’s back and forth in an attempt to stumble upon a sound that intrigues and impresses us. We’re still experimenting with different approaches to workflow but for most of our time working under the name “Peach Motif” Steffi has fleshed out the bare bones of the songs – writing beautiful chord progressions and etherial pop melodies – while I’ve predominantly been in the seat of the producer – attempting to build around the foundational elements and add the “meat & potatoes” to the mix. At this point, we’re predominantly all in house as far as production outside of outsourcing to some talented friends & associates for visual content. We’re doing our best to focus on perfecting and releasing one song at a time, giving every step of the process the attention & respect it deserves. We plan to collaborate and pursue what intrigues us as a duo as long as possible and look forward to what the future holds!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been quite bumpy along the way! Since 2014 (around the time we started gigging together), we have been faced with many challenges. Whether that’s creative differences or stages of life, we have had to learn and adapt. Communication is still a challenge sometimes but I’d say we have come so far and the road DOES seem to get smoother the longer we work together!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We are always trying to impress ourselves. I think it’s important in music to stay true to yourself but also look up to others who inspire you. We aren’t trying to be something we’re not and we aren’t trying too hard. We just want to make good music at the end of the day. We are seeking to perfect our craft and fall in love with process instead of focusing on likes/views or notoriety.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Corbin: My dad took me to see The Who when I was 11– watching Pete Townsend do “the windmill” on his guitar made me realize that I wanted to be on stage for the rest of my life.

Steffi: I remember my first ever vocal competition. My mom dressed me up like Janis Joplin and I sang “Mercedes Benz”— I took home first place overall!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0GDav3W2VJKUuZhJS9ykjC?si=Aqvk3NXjTIyAMFt2ZMqDfg
• Instagram: @peachmotif
• Facebook: PeachMotif
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCKFsra0ZrgvkPZcOqq3B7XQ

Image Credits
Julia Rae