BEHIND THE SCENES + SONGS WITH CANADIAN/AMERICAN COUNTRY ARTIST, BRITTANY KENNELL
1. YOU’VE GOT A BRAND NEW SINGLE OUT CALLED “EAT DRINK REMARRY,” TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SONG AND THE STORY BEHIND IT.
I REMEMBER WRITING THIS SONG AT BMG WITH EMILY REID. I GOT THE TITLE FROM A BOOK I WAS READING AT THE TIME AND LOVED THE CONCEPT. MY PARENTS AT THAT POINT HAD RECENTLY SPLIT UP SO I FELT LIKE I HAD SOME RELATIVE INPUT TO THE IDEA - LITTLE DID I KNOW I WOULD EVENTUALLY BE SINGING THIS SONG ABOUT MY OWN SITUATION. IT’S DEFINITELY GIVEN MY COMFORT AND TAKEN A DEEPER MEANING OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
2. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN CANADA AND DOING MUSIC.
CANADA IS A SPECIAL PLACE; IT’S PEACEFUL, WITH A LOT OF NICE, DOWN TO EARTH PEOPLE. A LOT OF GREAT ARTISTS HAVE COME FROM CANADA OVER THE YEARS AND I CAN ONLY HOPE TO FOLLOW IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS. I FEEL PROUD; IT’S MY HOME, MY ROOTS AND A PLACE WHERE I FEEL DEEPLY CONNECTED.
DON’T GET ME WRONG, I LOVE MY FELLOW AMERICAN NEIGHBOR, BUT THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME.
3. LET’S HEAR A BIT ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY AND EXPERIENCES AS A CROSS-GENRE, INTERNATIONAL ARTIST:
NASHVILLE WAS ANOTHER DREAM BUT IT WAS ALSO A BOOTCAMP THAT PULLED ME IN SO MANY DIRECTIONS. I MOVED THERE WITH $600 AND NOT A CLUE OR CONNECTION IN SITE. I STARTED WORKING AT A COUNTRY CLUB WHERE I MADE A LOT OF MY FRIENDS AND MUSIC CONNECTIONS (A LOT OF LABEL EXECS WERE MEMBERS AND KINDLY INTRODUCED ME TO PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY). WHENEVER I WASN’T WORKING AT THE CLUB I WAS IN A WRITING SESSION OR PLAYING A WRITERS ROUND (I USED TO GO PLAY THE GOOD OL’ OPEN MIC AT THE COMMODORE AFTER A SHIFT AT 11 PM). I HUSTLED HARD TO MEET AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE, BE AT THE TOP SHOWCASES, AND GET IN THE RIGHT ROOMS WITH WRITERS AND PUBLISHERS.
MY NASHVILLE STORIES ARE ENDLESS - SEEING KACEY MUSGRAVES, CHRIS STAPLETON, MAREN MORRIS IN TINY PACKED CLUBS - ALL BEFORE THEIR CAREERS TOOK OFF. SINGING KARAOKE FOR KACEY AT SANTA’S PUB, SITTING IN ON HER LISTENING PARTY AT THE PLANETARIUM, PERFORMING FOR MIRANDA LAMBERT AT OUR YEARLY HALLOWEEN SHOWS - JUST SO MANY MAGICAL STORIES AND MOMENTS THAT I’LL NEVER FORGET. AS FOR MY SOUND, I WAS ALWAYS IN THE COUNTRY/AMERICANA LANE UNTIL I WENT ON THE VOICE. POST-SHOW I FELT REALLY CONFUSED THAT AFTER ALL THE WORK I’D DONE I STILL COULDN’T FIND A HOME OR ANYONE WHO BELIEVED IN ME (TURNS OUT, I JUST NEEDED TO BELIEVE IN MYSELF) I GAVE POP MUSIC A TRY, WHICH WAS A LOT OF FUN BUT WASN’T ME. ONCE I MOVED HOME TO MONTREAL, 8 YEARS LATER, TO RECONNECT WITH MYSELF AND MY ROOTS, I WAS REMINDED OF THE MUSIC I LOVED IN THE FIRST PLACE: THE ONE I MOVED TO NASHVILLE FOR. NASHVILLE GAVE ME THE INSPIRATION AND THE HARDSHIP I NEEDED, MONTREAL GAVE ME THE HOME.
4. SPEAKING OF HOME, AT THE MOMENT WE’RE ALL STUCK AT IN OUR HOUSES AND APARTMENTS. WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO ONCE WE’RE BACK TO REALITY?
I WANT TO SEE MY FAMILY SO BAD - THE LONGEST I’VE GONE WITHOUT SEEING THEM WAS 7 MONTHS BUT IT’S DIFFERENT WHEN THEY ARE RIGHT DOWN THE STREET AND I CAN’T SPEND TIME WITH THEM. I’M ALSO ALONE IN A 600 SQUARE FOOT APARTMENT SO HUMAN CONTACT WILL BE NICE! I ALSO CAN’T WAIT TO STEP FOOT AND READ IN COFFEE SHOP AGAIN *NERD ALERT*.
5. WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO ALBUM FOR QUARANTINE?
MY LATEST ALBUM THAT I’VE GOT ON REPEAT IS ‘ODE TO A FRIEND’ BY OLD SEA BRIGADE (GREAT MUSIC FOR A RAINY MORNING OR TO GET YOU THROUGH SOME WORK TASKS. "STAY UP" AND "WANT IT AGAIN" ARE MY FAVORITES!)
6. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR UP-AND-COMING ARTISTS?
-LEARN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BY PUTTING YOURSELF IN ROOMS WITH THE BEST OF THE BEST.
- JUST DO - PLAY SHOWS, RECORD MUSIC, WRITE SONGS (THE MORE YOU DO SOMETHING THE BETTER YOU'LL GET)
- BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND STAY TRUE TO WHO ARE
- TAKE A STEP BACK EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE AND LIVE SOME LIFE
7. WHAT’S NEXT FOR BRITTANY KENNELL? TELL US WHAT YOU’RE EXCITED ABOUT.
CURRENTLY, WE ARE WORKING ON RELEASING THE NEXT SINGLE BEFORE WE PUT OUT AN EP IN THE FALL. WE HAD SO MANY AMAZING SHOWS AND FESTIVALS LINED UP FOR THE SUMMER BUT AT THIS POINT, FOR GOOD REASON, THEY WILL HAVE TO TAKE THE BACKSEAT. I DON’T DOUBT WE’LL BE HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING AS SOON AS IT’S SAFE TO DO SO.
ALSO, STAY TUNED ON BIBLIOCLIQUE, AN ONLINE BOOK CLUB I HAVE WITH AUBRIE SELLERS - WE HAVE SOME FUN THINGS IN THE WORKS!
LISTEN TO “EAT DRINK REMARRY” BELOW!
BACKSTORY: “BETTER DAYS” BY JOE DACCACHE
BACKSTORY: “BETTER DAYS” BY JOE DACCACHE
CHECK OUT JOE DACCACHE’S FRESH NEW TUNE, AND A BIT ABOUT HOW HIS MOM INSPIRED IT.
"Back in August, my mom was diagnosed with cancer. Through this difficult season, we’ve all tried to stay strong. So strong, that my entire family hasn’t even cried together, yet. My mom stays strong out of fear her tears will make us weak, and we stay strong out of fear our tears will do the same to her. A few weeks ago, I was standing at a self-checkout in Walmart when I got a text from my mom that said “Cancer Free”. She is now officially in remission!
A couple weeks before hearing the news, I wrote this song with my good friends, Autumn Buysee and Tony Chetta for my mom and for anyone is experiencing a difficult time in their life and is unable to express their emotions. Hopefully this song helps you find peace and positivity amidst your struggle.
"Better Days" is part of a 4-song EP that is releasing this Fall 2020. The second single from the EP is expected to drop June 5!"
15 UNRELEASED TUNES FOR YOUR QUARANTINE
WHAT BETTER TIME TO DISCOVER GREAT ARTISTS AND WRITERS THAN AMIDST CORONA FEVER? WE REACHED OUT TO 15 OF OUR FAVORITES IN TOWN TO SHARE SOME UNRELEASED AND UPCOMING TUNES IN ALL STAGES OF THE PROCESS.
STAY INSIDE, AND TURN IT UP!
TWO GUYS, NO ANNA (DANIEL ETHRIDGE, MITCHEL FERR)
SAD GIRLS DON’T CRY (MADDIE LARKIN, CLAIRE DOUGLAS, JOSH KERR)
BUMMED (JORDAN LINDLEY - PRODUCED BY AUSTIN BIANCO)
THAT’S WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE (SHELBY DARRALL, MASON THORNLEY)
FIRST TIME CALLER (ZARNI DEVETTE, FRANK MARONEY, DERIK HOLTQUIST)
RIGHT NOW (ADAM SEARAN, JON D’AGOSTINO, BLESSING OFFOR)
GETTIN RIGHT (ADAM MAC, JOE WHELAN, ANDREW STONE, WILL LAMB)
DROP EVERYTHING (ANDREA DOZZI, JORDAN DOZZI, GINA VENIER, LEXIE HAYDEN)
INFATUATION (MARLA, SAM HATMAKER, HAVEN - PRODUCED BY BRAD HILL)
DREAMERS (EMMA ZINCK, MATT NOLAN, KEVIN NOLAN, TOM MAXWELL)
WORRY NO MORE (SHELLY FAIRCHILD, AARON SHAFER)
THE HUMMINGBIRD (OLIVIA RUDEEN, JAKE ETHERIDGE)
50 BUCKS (GINA VENIER, HOLDEN JAMES)
WHAT YOU DON’T MEAN (ALEX STERN, MATT WILLIS)
NOTHIN BUT A SMALL TOWN (LEXIE HAYDEN, JEN SCHOTT, MICHAEL WHITE)
OVER'THINKING' WITH GATLIN
EXCLUSIVE DEETS ON ‘i think about you all the time,’ THE NEW SINGLE FROM INDIE/POP ARTIST, GATLIN
"I Think About You All The Time” was written with my good friend Victoria Bigelow about a relationship I was in at the time. It is one of those songs that every lyric still feels raw when I still sing it because of its cuttingly truthfulness. It takes me right back to - in this case - four months ago. Sometimes people you are with do not treat you well and you can know in your head that they are bad for you, but you cannot control your feelings. The song is about that kind of relationship and the fact that it was so consuming that it was hard to be present in my everyday life.
I wanted the production of the song to match my emotion - really vulnerable in the beginning but the track just grows and ends with chaos and muddiness with lots of vocal layering and dissonant guitars. The end of the song is the final breakdown - the part in a relationship where you can’t take things as they are anymore. Thinking about somebody all of the time - especially someone who is ‘no good’ - is a very smothering and lawless state to be in. Sometimes in the beginning it can feel innocent, then with time grow to be just a little too messy. I think it’s good to get all that emotion out, and then hopefully freaking move on - which are the songs I’m writing now!!!!"
CHECK OUT THE SONG HERE:
SMALL TALK WITH IAN MCCONNELL - BEHIND THE NEW SINGLE + MORE
IAN MCCONNELL HITS YMC WITH THE EXCLUSIVE STORY BEHIND HIS BRAND NEW SINGLE “CAN’T WAIT,” TALKS INFLUENCES + COLLABS, AND SHARES THE ORIGINAL WORK TAPE.
TELL US THE BACKSTORY BEHIND “CAN’T WAIT”
I wrote “Can’t Wait” alone and produced, mixed, and mastered it by myself as well. “Can’t Wait” is about getting excited to meet the one person you’re meant to be with, and predicting what they will be like.
This song is optimistic, quirky, and sweet, and was inspired by my lack of romantic attachment, but hope for meaningful romance in the future.
2. WHAT KIND OF MUSIC INSPIRES AND INFLUENCES WHAT YOU DO?
I love all kinds of music but I am most influenced by 2000’s pop rock and modern country. I love the romanticism of the pop-punk and boy band movements combined with the storytelling of country.
Some major influences include blink-182, Paramore, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, and Eminem.
3. WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE COLLABORATORS AND CREATORS IN TOWN?
I write a lot with Lydia Dall and Holly Auna, and all of my releases but one have been written either by myself or with them. I also love working with Joe Tounge, Spencer Crandall, and Morgan Johnston.
“Can’t Wait” comes out on March 6, and my following single, a heartbreaking pop country rock power ballad featuring Kalie Shorr, will drop April 3.
CHECK OUT THE ORIGINAL WORK TAPE BELOW
FINAL TRACK
SONG BY SONG - BREAKING DOWN THE BRAND NEW SAM VARGA EP
EMO ROCKER KID, SAM VARGA BREAKS DOWN HIS BRAND NEW EP “LIGHT ME UP” TRACK BY TRACK EXCLUSIVELY WITH YMC!
1. MAYDAY
“Mayday” is an emo-anthem ridden with pedal steel. I wrote the song in the middle of a bad bout of depression. I had the opening line for a bit but no one in Nash wanted to write it with me. Then one day in the darkest part of that bad time I just heard the chords and the song was written in bout 30 minutes.
2. WHEN SHE FALLS
“When She Falls” is my favorite song to date.
"There's a hammer in my head, there's an anvil in my heart, and there's a song they sing in between the hits that’s lighting up the dark".
I kept on getting whispers from the universe/cosmos/whatever that I needed to go to Bozeman Montana. After a psychedelic experience convinced me, I booked a tour out to Montana and after a week and a couple thousand miles, I found myself in the middle of the canyon during a blizzard. I stayed there by myself all day. When I went back down the mountain I was already writing the song. Then Will Stone helped me finish her up after a midtown bender.
3. SEX AND WHISKEY
“Sex and Whiskey”...it's a song about sex and whiskey;)
Killer road trip tune. Written w/ Kacey Velazquez.
4. LIKE I NEVER LEFT
“Like I Never Left” is about my relationship with my hometown at the time it was written. I realized that the day you leave your hometown...that version of you is who you are to that town...forever. Which can be troubling and grounding. I'd go back home after accomplishing so much here in Nashville and it wouldn't matter, I was only who I was in high school to them. It didn't matter what I had accomplished, how much I had grown, how much I had changed as a person. But there's also the good in that. Where you’re from is where you're from and you should get knocked down a couple of pegs every time you're back.
"It's all I've ever been, might be all ill ever be, but for better or for worse they know the best and worst of me"
(Written w/ William Stone)
5. IF YOU DON’T KNOW
“If You Don't Know” came about from a call with my mom. I had been seeing an amazing woman and had fallen in love but hadn't told her because I didn't want to scare her or myself. My mom, who was in the middle of losing her father/my grandpa and said: "if you don't tell her the tragedy won't be that you didn't say it, but that she never got to hear it". There's a lot in this song; just say what you need to while you can.
I wrote it with Patrick Murphy on our first write.
6. A BETTER WORD
“A Better Word” was conceived in my favorite writing room with Lauren Weintraub and William Stone, who are my two favorite writers in the world. No story to this one that I recall. Lauren brought in the idea and we just really tried to fuck people up in the emotions; which is normally par for the course with that room. The two of them are a master class in writing and there's always high proof bourbon.
9 COUNTRY ROOTS ARTISTS YOU NEED TO KNOW
NASHVILLE’S GRASSROOTS HONKY TONK COMMUNITY IS GAINING NATIONAL ATTENTION THANKS TO THESE EMERGING ARTISTS. HERE’S WHO YA GOTTA KNOW.
SIERRA FERRELL
STERLING DRAKE
EMILY NENNI
KRISTINA MURRAY
BEN JARRELL
BRENNAN LEIGH
JOSHUA HEDLEY
THE COWPOKES
CHRIS SCRUGGS
'SOMEWHERE DRINKING' WITH LEXIE HAYDEN
Rising country artist, Lexie Hayden, tours Nashville and talks tequila on behalf of her new single “Somewhere Drinking.” Check out the exclusive photos be she’s provided below, at some of her favorite Nashville drinking spots and tun into “Somewhere Drinking” below.
Q+A
YOU JUST RELEASED A NEW SINGLE, SOMEWHERE DRINKING.” TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE TRACK, WHO YOU WROTE IT WITH, WHO PRODUCED IT, AND THE STORY BEHIND IT.
I wrote ‘Somewhere Drinking’ with my producer, Derek George and Chuck Jones. This song was one of the last songs we wrote before we tracked the whole project, actually! We sat down in the writing room and began throwing out ideas… but the song title actually came from us just having a casual conversation. I was asking Derek if he had watched the Titans play the Patriots the night before… and Derek turned to me and said “were you really watching football or were you just somewhere drinking?” I laughed because I truly was just somewhere drinking… (even though it was a crazy game). Derek then proceeded to talk about how ‘Somewhere Drinking’ was such a cool song title and we just went with it. Sometimes the best songs just come naturally, I guess.
Location: Yee Haw Brewing // Photo: Emma Golden
IT’S SAFE TO SAY YOU’RE A DRINKER, WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO ADULT BEVERAGE?
Depends on what I’m doing! If I’m at home, I’m most likely drinking red wine. When I’m out, I’m drinking beer. And when I’m on stage… I’m always drinking whiskey!!
Location: Hi Fi Clydes // Photo: Emma Golden
TALK ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE DRINKING SPOTS IN TOWN.
I live on Demonbreun so I feel like I am partial to the bars on this side of town because I can walk to them ;) I spend a lot of time at Live Oak because they host great writers rounds there and the staff is awesome. I’ve also been spending a lot of time at Clydes.. they make the best bloody mary!
FAVORITE BAR TO GET OVER AN EX
Tin Roof.
Location: Yee Haw Brewing // Photo: Emma Golden
FAVORITE DRINK WHEN YOU’RE HITTING THE TOWN WITH THE LADIES
Definitely tequila.
FAVORITE DRINK TO MAKE WHEN YOU’RE ALONE
I’ve actually started making bloody marys at home and they’re not too bad!!
FAVORITE DRINKING SONG
”If I Know Me”" by Morgan Wallen
Location: Red Door // Photo: Emma Golden
FAVORITE DRINKING PARTNER
EMMA GOLDEN!!
YOU’VE GOT AN EP COMING OUT THIS YEAR, TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT WE CAN EXPECT ON IT.
I’m so excited to put out this EP because I’ve been holding onto a lot of these songs for a while! The entire EP is going to be titled “You Heard Right,” which is the first song I wrote with my producer, Derek George, back in 2017. I brought him the title the day we met and it just felt like magic. We’ve been writing ever since that day and now I am signed to him and Julian King (engineer). The EP will have the three singles I already released, and a few more songs no one has heard yet. I can’t wait for it to finally come out.
Location: Melrose Billiards // Photo: Emma Golden
“SOMEWHERE DRINKING” OFFICIAL AUDIO
