LA Music Review | Art, stories and advice
Upbeat, inspirational and full of fire! Briana's rich, smooth vocal delivery captivates us with a sound reminiscent of Madonna and Shania Twain.
Hi Briana, welcome to LA Music Review! Tell us a little bit about you and your music.
I started singing, writing and performing music from a very early age.
I had spent my whole life up to that point in Minnesota. I always had big dreams with my singing from a very early age. While many young girls dream about being a mom, doctor, or teacher, my dream had always been to be a professional singer.
When I was in high school searching for colleges to go to, I wanted to leave Minnesota and go to California because this felt like the place I would really get my wings. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to do that but still the dream couldn’t let go of me throughout my young adult life.
Growing up in rural Minnesota, I listened to a lot of country music, musical theatre and pop music. I loved artists like Dolly Parton, Amy Grant, The Beatles, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Disney music just to name a few.
I’m learning that being uncomfortable is the best feeling to grow and evolve as an artist and person.
My dream was to sing on Broadway, sing for Disney and be an music artist. I’m not sure if I’ll go to Broadway at this point, but I’m moving in the direction of the other two dreams now more than ever. This fire deep within me keeps me just a little bit restless enough of the time, to always keep me pushing forward.
Congrats on the release! What was your inspiration when you were writing this project?
This song is about someone stepping out of their comfort zone and leaving everything they’ve ever known to follow their passions and dreams.
Released on December 10, 2021. I wrote this song about my journey moving out to LA from Minnesota. I didn’t have any backing or guaranteed outcome moving out here. It felt “right” for me and through a lot of hard work and planning I landed out here and started a my next phase of life. I co-wrote this song with my friend Matt Koelsch in his apartment one afternoon. We had been chatting about taking risks to follow your dreams and how you really have to step out of your comfort zone if you’re going to see the results you want to see.
Growing up in Minnesota, most people’s mindsets are a bit more practical and “down to earth”. People go to college and get into their careers, settle down and then have a family. I knew deep down my path was going to be unconventional, but I fought that for many, many years because I was afraid to see myself for who I really was.
This kind of move really required me to grow in trusting more of myself, God and life.
My tendencies up until that point in life was to play it safe because I really didn’t trust myself and my desires. When you don’t trust yourself, you worry and you only think about what could go wrong. So the lyrics, “you don’t gotta worry, you just gotta move, takin’ it day by day, let the wind carry you” was my mantra so to speak getting out to LA.
I knew this song would speak to a lot of people who feel their lives are more unconventional and traditional road maps just haven’t ever really worked for them.
What is your vision for this song?
I really wanted this song to be upbeat and inspirational.
I wrote a very rhythmic piano part to this song initially which had similar vibes to Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car.” I also wanted it to have some country vibes with guitar and strings to make it feel warm and down to earth. I also knew I wanted this song to have a lot of energy because when you’re going after your dreams, you need a lot of fuel to keep the fire going.
I want people to feel feel empowered knowing that nothing is impossible for them if they have a dream in their heart and the skills and talent to make it happen. If you have your dream, a clear vision and the talent to back it, you just need to learn to trust and take steps each and every day. With each step you take, things start to be clearer and the path begins to unfold. Even finding the home I live in now required me to search for almost 6 months for the right location and place.
I had certain things I knew I wanted and I just kept trusting that the right place would pop up for me. When I found my home here in LA, I had to fly out very last minute and sign a lease a month earlier than I could move out. It was the boldest move I’ve ever taken, but I knew this place was for me and I needed to seize the opportunity. When I saw this home online for the first time, I had this feeling it was the right place. I remember my sister and mom asking if I had other places lined up to look at when I flew out but I didn’t. I knew this had my name on it, almost like the feeling people sometimes have when they know they’re supposed to marry someone. I’ve never been married but that feeling of knowing is REAL.
Sometimes opportunities will open up for you, but it will show up as an inconvenience. You have to plow through the fears and worries of the unknowns and trust the process. That’s what this song is ALL about!
Start streaming “New Town” right here:
What is your favorite part of this body of work?
I think my favorite part is the pre-chorus line “I rode the waves and followed the sound, blowing through the trees to a new town.” I also really love when the song changes key as it just lifts you up even further like you’re soaring in the air. It makes me feel like I’m on a ferris wheel high up overlooking all of life and just remembering to trust with a simple child-like faith.
Anything else we should know about it? Future releases?
I worked with some amazing musicians on this project!
I co-wrote the song with Matt Koelsch (@mattkoelsch)
It was produced by Matt Koelsch @mattkoelsch & Clay Davies @claythevillain
I recorded all the keys and vocals
My phenomenal drummer I’ve worked with on all my music releases this year is Robin Diaz @robindiaz
The bassist is Derrick Elliot @fretlesselliott
Guitars were by Matt Koelsch @mattkoelsch
Violins were by Denis Dufresne @ghostboyband
I have a lot of songs I’ve written that are waiting to get produced. My plan right now is to start pitching my songs to TV/Film and continue to release more songs this year.
Connect with Briana Lyn
