Savannah Lathem Writes Songs of Hope
Savannah Lathem is giving the holidays a new tune with her singing and songwriting talent and new Christmas single, “Why I Love Christmas Time.” Savannah’s joy is present in all of her music, and her gratitude for all of life’s opportunities (even amidst the current chaos) is certainly inspiring. We speak to Savannah about her journey as an artist and her most recent music, as well as her past Lyme Disease diagnosis. To learn more about Savannah’s delightful and honest outlook, please read our interview below.
Where are you based?
I currently live in Atlanta Georgia.
You are an actor and singer/songwriter. What inspired you to get into the arts? Do you have a first love?
I have always enjoyed performing and I was on a company dance team before acting. I don’t really have a first love. I don’t love one more than the other. I love them both in different ways. I have a new single that is a Christmas song hitting platforms this month through December. Christmas is my favorite holiday and I have always wanted to write a Christmas song. Look for “Why I Love Christmas Time” on Spotify and Apple Music. Bad Impulse will be in select Theaters and On Demand December 18th . It is a thriller suspense feature film that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I play the role of Charlotte and it was an honor to get to work with Director Michelle Danner in this film.
What is the biggest challenge of being an actress/singer songwriter/woman in 2020?
COVID-19 is a definite shock factor to everyone globally. Not only was the entertainment industry hit with great losses, but people all over the world have suffered greatly and many people have lost their jobs. Many people have lost loved ones, which is devastating. Others have suffered from getting infected with COVID. The biggest challenge for me personally is having to isolate myself and limit the number of people I am around. I am very social so that makes it difficult for me not to be able to be around my friends. We are not free to go out like we used to, but I am grateful that I can take my feelings and turn them into a song. “Stand Together Now” is a song I wrote about building one another up, being kind to one another, and coming together to social distance and take measures to end COVID. It is a song of hope.
You recently released a new song: “Every Step Of The Way”. Can you tell us a little about your new song a little bit about your headspace on writing this song?
”Every Step Of The Way” is based on a relationship I had with one of my guy best friends. We have an amazing friendship, but we both knew we liked one another more than just friends. We also knew that we could not be anything other than friends because we are so different from one another. “Every Step Of The Way” is a love song that reminds us that it is okay to remain friends with someone and still be able to be there for them no matter what.
We love the music video Stand Together Now. Can you tell us a little bit about the clips and pictures you included?
”Stand Together Now” Music Video is very special to me. I wrote this song at the beginning of the pandemic when everyone in America was in quarantine. I wanted the music video to depict everyone universally and to encourage people that we are all in this together. I am seen a little bit throughout the music video, and some of my family members and friends are too, but I wanted to include many nationalities. I chose pictures and clips of people in different states and countries to show that we have all been affected by the pandemic. There are clips of doctors and patients in hospitals, people getting married on FaceTime, people in masks and gloves, and businesses closed due to COVID-19. I do not want people to forget 2020. I wanted to write a song that we can look back and listen to and remember just how far we have come.
How has COVID impacted your life?
COVID has made me stop and think about each action I take. My mom is a Breast Cancer survivor and I want to make sure I am safe so she is safe. I have also learned to not take being social for granted. I am looking forward to the day we can socialize without having to worry about getting infected with COVID.
In addition to your powerful music you are very active in humanitarian work. Can you please tell us a little bit about your work with Susan B. Coleman Breast Cancer Foundation, and why this cause is important to you?
It is important to me because my mother is a Breast Cancer Survivor and so many women have had Breast Cancer and died from it. In the past I have participated in the Susan B. Coleman Breast Cancer walks to raise money to help find a cure. You are also very active with organizations working to bring awareness to Lyme disease, after battling the illness yourself.
Can you speak about this some? Do you still have Lyme disease?
Yes! I plan to be involved with Lyme Disease foundations to bring a level of awareness about this taxing and chronic disease. Honestly, there is not enough research on the disease and a lot of people think it disappears with a quick round of antibiotics. That was not the case for me. Lyme Disease made me feel extremely fatigued and when I walked I felt like I had a ton of bricks attached to my body. It was a heaviness and tiredness I cannot explain. I was affected neurologically, and my legs collapsed from underneath me when I walked. It happened more and more frequently until, eventually, I could not walk for a period of time. I am free of Lyme Disease now, but it was a long and hard journey.
Is Lyme a precondition that is a concern with COVID? How are you staying healthy during these times?
I Praise God that I do not have Lyme Disease anymore! Lyme Disease weakens the immune system and makes you feel terrible. I cannot imagine battling Lyme Disease with COVID at the same time. I am Lyme free and take Vitamin C and Zinc to boost my immune system.
How are you staying positive during shelter in place?
I am thankful for FaceTime! My best friend lives in California. I have to admit that it has been hard not being able to fly back and forth to see one other. However, we are used to Face Time and we Face Time each other all the time. When COVID hit the United States we prepared for endless FaceTime calls. I am staying positive by trusting God and knowing that this too shall pass! Everyone is going through the same thing right now and we all have to rely on one another to prevent the spread of infection. I choose to be positive even when I do not feel like it.
What is your motto in life? I have many mottos!
1. Treat others how you would like to be treated. 2. A quote from Sadie Robertson. “5 seconds of awkward will save you from a lifetime of regret.” 3. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
To learn more about Savannah Lathem, please follow her via the below platforms:
www.SavannahLathem.com
Instagram: Savannah_lathem
Twitter: Savannahlathem
Facebook: ActressSavannahLathem
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5s2Ki89jBTORU4jb2zs9do
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/savannah-lathem/592304163
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXYJM64ciijFqZhzJauU0Ig
