Interview: Bree Taylor

Jarod Smith

Jun 28, 2022

How would you describe your music?

I would describe my sound as high energy and emotionally charged country music with pop and rock influences.

What sort of genres did you listen to growing up?

I was born to music in the delivery room and James Taylor playing on the mix tape my Dad made for my Mom was how I got my middle name! I was raised on classic rock by my Dad, so bands and artists like AC/DC, The Eagles, Elton John, The Rolling Stones etc. but I listened to everything growing up from classic rock to pop to country and even metal. My main go-to genres were definitely pop and country though for the majority of my life and I think that's why my sound is so ME. I was influenced by so many genres that helped shape my voice and who I am as an artist.

Can you tell us about your process of making music...for example how did you create your single 'On My Own'?

I love making music collaborating with other talented writers. I love bringing a feeling or idea to the writing table and bouncing it off other creative minds and seeing what we can bring together so often times this is how I make music. Sometimes it's just me with my notebook, a melody and my keyboard on my own in my feelings in my apartment but usually I bring those ideas to a bigger writing sessions and work on whatever I feel is special or I want to say in a song. I take a song or a few to my producer or he's often times in the writing session and we go into things with such intention like THIS is what we're going to say today or THIS is what we want to write about or convey to listeners or we think the listeners need to hear and build from there. Sometimes songs take on a life of their own but not one song or writing session is ever the same and I love that!
My song "ON MY OWN" was written about three years ago when I was going through some disappointing dating experiences and I was just fed up with it all and wanting to just be in a place of self love and being okay on my own and not needing someone to complete me. I took that feeling into my session with my co-writer and producer on this song, Dajaun Martineau, and we created this self-love anthem about no matter what life throws at me or what I'm feeling, that I am okay on my own. I translate this song's entire message into my life's story as I have endured lots of challenges and hurdles like being told I might never have a career as a singer because of my hearing disability and I didn't let that or anyone else who told me I wasn't good enough or couldn't do it hold me back or stop me. I have had to be resilient my entire life and that's truly what I feel this song embodies.

How would you describe the atmosphere at a country music festival?

The atmosphere at a country music festival is definitely good vibes, good times and lots of beer!

If you can only pick one (Kelsea Ballerini, Carrie Underwood, Maren Morris, Halsey), who would you like to collaborate with and why?

VERY hard choice but I would choose Halsey to collaborate with because her voice is SO different and I fell in love with it the moment I first heard it and I think her voice would bring something so cool to a song combined with mine that it would have fans really engaged. My powerhouse vocals combined with her soft harmonies and melodies would make a damn cool track for fans!