EXCLUSIVE: Exit 216 Talk Debut Single and Future Plans

Exit 216 are an on-the-rise country/soul duo consisting of Cole Burkett and Steven Battey. They were put together by Battey who has written a string of hits for artists such as Luke Combs, Justin Bieber, and Madonna to name a few. Now with Exit 216, he is ready to make waves with his own music that blends together the two worlds of country and soul perfectly. Earlier in July they shared their debut single ‘Brother’ and look set to become a massive part of the country crossover scene.

Here we chat exclusively to Exit 216 to discuss their inaugural release, future plans, and more:

Can you tell us a little bit about how the Exit 216 duo came about?

I, Steven Battey, had an idea at the end of 2019, creating a black and white duo could be very cool. Especially after the success of Jimmie Allen, I felt like people were more open-minded to seeing new things in country music.

What are you guys hoping to achieve with this new venture?

Exit 216 are hoping to achieve new ground. We would love to add something new to the genre. Not change it, but add something unique and different that people will hopefully like.

Your debut single dropped on July 17th, how have you found the response so far?

The response has been amazing. USA Today, The Tennessean, and Music Row Magazine have all covered it. So far it is exceeding the expectations of our first single release.

Can you tell us about the writing experience for the track?

The writing experience was amazing, written by myself Steven Battey, Drake White, and David Mescon. We wanted to do something that would bring people together. That was the energy in the studio that day.

What was the main inspiration behind the lyrical story?

The inspiration was what we were seeing on the news, seeing people divided, and not supporting each other. Feeling divided made us want to write something that would unite us all.

What are you hoping fans take away from the release?

We hope fans take away that we don’t all look alike, but we are working out differences to make a change for a better future.

How have you found the creative process whilst in quarantine?

The creative process in quarantine sucks. LOL. But some days you get inspiration and it makes you appreciate being able to create ideas at home.

How are you handling the promotional side of sharing new music during lockdown?

We have been very blessed to share our project using social media. The song we have released speaks to the times that we are living in, so our fans have received it very well.

What are your long term goals for Exit 216?

Long term goals for Exit 216 are to have our songs chart, tour around the world, and to make a difference for the better.

Do you have any plans to share a full-length album at some point?

Yes, we are working on that. No release date yet, but that is definitely in the future.

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