We caught up with Southern-raised, LA-based singer-songwriter Brett Landin whose debut single, “Small Town Girl,” drops today on streaming platforms. The sound and impact of her voice has led her to be compared to the likes of country’s contemporary and classic great female artists like Kelsey Ballerini, Lee Ann Womack, and Ashley McBryde. Having always considered herself to be a “closeted singer-songwriter,” she is finally ready for the world to hear her music.
We asked Brett about releasing her debut single, her musical sound, and her recent performance at The Troubadour in LA. Check out our conversation below.
Congratulations on the release of your debut single, “Small Town Girl”! How does it feel to have your music out in the world?
Brett Landin (BL): Thank you so much! This is such a special song, and I am so excited that it is finally out for people to enjoy in the sunshine! My entire music process has been a beautiful journey and the fact that the day is here where I can type my name into Spotify and Apple Music etc., and my name and song come up is nothing short of a dream come true. I can’t wait for y’all to hear it!
Is there a key message or theme in the lyrics of the single?
BL: I think that “Small Town Girl” is a self-love song, even though it’s a breakup song. What makes this song so special and different than what is out there is that it captures the theme of self-love and knowing that sometimes breakups happen, but that is just a reality of relationships, not a reflection of your self-worth. I wish I had this song when I was going through breakups when I was younger, and I hope it can be that for at least one listener out there!
What was the creative process like when recording “Small Town Girl” in studio?
BL: The creative process when we finally recorded “Small Town Girl” was nothing short of amazing! We recorded “Small Town Girl” before the other 4 songs on my EP, so it was the moment that all of this became real. I really feel so grateful that Christopher Harris, one of the writers on the song and the producer for my EP, was in the room when we recorded, and his energy and love of music and this song made the entire process so beautiful. I was going through a breakup at the time, and Chris and I spent hours talking through my breakup and how I could channel those feelings into the song. It resulted in what you can hear now, and that is a song that has so much heart in it because I was able to be vulnerable to pour myself into the lyrics.
Who would you say are some of your musical influences?
BL: I would say that my most consistent and currently inspiring musical influence is Kelsea Ballerini, hands down. I have been a Kelsea Ballerini fan since I was 14 years old, and she came out with her debut EP “The First Time.” I remember when I first saw her in concert in 2017 at Starplex Pavilion when she opened for Lady A, I was beside myself! Overjoyed! For lack of a better term, it was the “first time” I watched a performer and said “I would love to do that!” Fast forward to this past fall (after I had recorded my EP) when I saw her at The Greek Theatre in LA, and that was the concert that gave me the strength to begin the process of putting my music out and playing live shows. As a performer, lyricist, and singer, I am in awe of her growth, her music, and her essence and she has without a doubt influenced me as an artist over the past 9 years.
You recently performed at The Troubadour in Los Angeles. What was that experience like for you?
BL: Walking out on The Troubadour stage in front of friends, family and fans was the most incredible experience of my music career thus far. The Troubadour is such a magical venue, with such a rich history of musicians and singers that have played on that stage! The fact that I was able to be a part of that history is truly such an honor. I would not have wanted to put on a show full of originals and covers that mean so much to me without my incredible band: Neara Russell, Matthew LaRocca, Stephen Musselman, Kurtis Keber, Elizabeth Goodfellow! They are always on fire, but something about the Troubadour night was magic. A night I will never forget.
When people listen to your music, what are you hoping they get out of it?
BL: I hope that when people listen to my music, they not only hear the story, but feel it. Whether this song or the rest of my EP, I hope that people feel heard, seen, and connected with because that is why I love music. I want to share pieces of my heart and hopefully it resonates with yours.
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Listen to “Small Town Girl” here
Follow Brett Landin: Instagram|Website
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