Interview: Singer and Songwriter Bryce Drew Talks Nashville, Her Big Break + New Music
Get to know this young vibrant new voice of pop who goes by the name of Bryce Drew. Her music is soulful yet modern, as she comes of age with refreshing new music. She’s a vocalist and songwriter with new hits like, “21,” chronicling her desire to fall in love, and “Lucky Number,” describing big dreams in a new city. She’s already working with a legendary Grammy-Award winning producer who has worked with the likes of Adele, Dua Lipa and Katy Perry. Find out all about her rise to fame, the message behind her music, and some of her favorite things. Read on to find out more.
GLITTER: Where did you grow up and how did it influence your love for music?
BRYCE: I grew up in Miami, Florida, a city overflowing with genre, rhythm, and culture… just imagine, soul, reggae, Latin, pop, hip/hop, and dance music everywhere. The city made it impossible to get bored of music. On top of that, Miami’s got some public schools with incredible music magnet programs. Getting to attend them is something that I am so grateful for… I spent middle and high school studying voice. The programs were classical + musical theater focused, but it gave me a community of friends and teachers who spoke my language. I owe a lot of my love for music to the foundation my hometown gave me.
BRYCE: I grew up in Miami, Florida, a city overflowing with genre, rhythm, and culture… just imagine, soul, reggae, Latin, pop, hip/hop, and dance music everywhere. The city made it impossible to get bored of music. On top of that, Miami’s got some public schools with incredible music magnet programs. Getting to attend them is something that I am so grateful for… I spent middle and high school studying voice. The programs were classical + musical theater focused, but it gave me a community of friends and teachers who spoke my language. I owe a lot of my love for music to the foundation my hometown gave me.
GLITTER: How long have you been writing music and how did you get started singing?
BRYCE: I’ve been writing music since I was 16- so about 8 years now. I’ve been singing my whole life! The minute I could join the choir, I did. Believe it or not, I was a super shy kid and it took a while for me to want to sing alone in front of people. I didn’t like the attention, really. My family was very encouraging of it and after much persuasion, I eventually found the confidence. I think I was about seven when I first sang a solo at school… “Need to Be In Love” by the Carpenters (how coincidentally on brand for my writing, haha). Couldn’t get me off the stage after that.
BRYCE: I’ve been writing music since I was 16- so about 8 years now. I’ve been singing my whole life! The minute I could join the choir, I did. Believe it or not, I was a super shy kid and it took a while for me to want to sing alone in front of people. I didn’t like the attention, really. My family was very encouraging of it and after much persuasion, I eventually found the confidence. I think I was about seven when I first sang a solo at school… “Need to Be In Love” by the Carpenters (how coincidentally on brand for my writing, haha). Couldn’t get me off the stage after that.
GLITTER: Who are your musical influences?
BRYCE: Joss Stone, India. Arie, Adele, Corinne Bailey Rae, Aretha Franklin, Norah Jones, Annie Lennox, Brandi Carlile, Joni Mitchell, H.E.R., Amy Winehouse, John Mayer, Carole King, John Legend, Billie Holiday, Lianne La Havas, Alanis Morissette, Lauryn Hill… I could go on forever!!!
GLITTER: What was your time in Nashville like?
BRYCE: Nashville was a songwriting boot camp! I spent most of college writing songs with my classmates and peers every day. It was very inspiring and humbling. Genre wise and culturally it was very different from what I grew up within Miami, which was a little difficult to get used to, but the people in the music community out there are some of the best I know.
GLITTER: How would you describe your sound?
BRYCE: um… Sultry Modern Laurel Canyon Pop!
GLITTER: What is your songwriting process like?
BRYCE: Sometimes I start off getting lost in my guitar… and then I let the music speak to me a little and figure out what it’s telling me. Other times I have a title or concept that keeps coming up and the rhythm of the spoken phrase inspires the music. It’s really different each time, but it’s rare for me to write the melody or lyric completely before the other, it’s almost always simultaneous.
BRYCE: Sometimes I start off getting lost in my guitar… and then I let the music speak to me a little and figure out what it’s telling me. Other times I have a title or concept that keeps coming up and the rhythm of the spoken phrase inspires the music. It’s really different each time, but it’s rare for me to write the melody or lyric completely before the other, it’s almost always simultaneous.
GLITTER: What can you tell us about your new song “21?”
BRYCE: I wrote 21 alone in my college apartment, processing my experience with love. My friends around me had all found it, my parents fell in love at 21, all of my favorite music and novels sing and speak of finding love by your 20’s… I guess it all made me believe that I would, too. This song kind of intuitively fell out of me. I’ve found over the years playing it live that a lot of others struggle with the same habit of setting big personal expectations and feeling the letdown.
GLITTER: Can you tell us about “Start to Finish?”
BRYCE: It’s a series on puremix.net where they followed my producer (Greg Wells) and I around the studio. The entire creation of my song “Lucky Number,” from the very beginning of us writing it to the final master recording, is documented on camera. It was a crazy experience to have a film crew in the studio with us! Writing and recording are very vulnerable things and I’d never done that before, but I am so glad we did because it is awesome to look back on. It’s been awesome to hear from those who watched and feel like they were a part of the creation.
GLITTER: What’s it like working with Grammy award-winning producer Greg Wells who has worked with names like Adele, Dua Lipa, and Katy Perry?
BRYCE: It’s the absolute best. Not only is he madly talented and full of insight, but he is super kind and hilarious. He pushes me to be the best I can be. The dream working environment, really.
GLITTER: What was your big break?
BRYCE: I’d like to think I haven’t had it yet. I’m still at the beginning, but that day I first played for Greg and he said let’s make a record- that one was a life-changer.
BRYCE: I’d like to think I haven’t had it yet. I’m still at the beginning, but that day I first played for Greg and he said let’s make a record- that one was a life-changer.
GLITTER: How do you use your voice for change?
BRYCE: I like to use my music to open my listener’s minds to introspection, empathy, and optimism. I think the world could always use a little more of that.
BRYCE: I like to use my music to open my listener’s minds to introspection, empathy, and optimism. I think the world could always use a little more of that.
GLITTER: Best advice you were ever given?
BRYCE: “Don’t make music by painting by numbers. Chase the goosebumps!”
BRYCE: “Don’t make music by painting by numbers. Chase the goosebumps!”
GLITTER: Who is your mentor?
BRYCE: Luckily, I have a few! Jodi Marr, who is an incredible songwriter and professor at Belmont University, was my assigned mentor in college and has continued to be there to guide me through life and my career since long after college. I have her to thank for my introduction to Greg Wells who is not only my producer but also my mentor in which he is extremely dependable when it comes to giving honest advice and a listening ear. Another is one of my best friends, Lauren Aquilina, who is the same age as me, but has been in the industry much longer, so I can always count on her to understand what I’m going through as a developing artist. These three people inspire me beyond and keep me going. I wouldn’t be where I am without them.
GLITTER: Glitter has a Celebrity #SelfLoveCampaign, and we want to know, what’s self-love mean to you?
BRYCE: For me, self-love is a lifestyle. It means giving yourself the same time, attention, and care you’d give a friend or a lover if they told you they needed something. My next single “Love Life” out on April 24th is alllll about this.
GLITTER: What would be a dream collaboration for you?
BRYCE: A duet with John Legend. I’d cry.
GLITTER: What’s on your playlist right now?
BRYCE: I’ve just discovered this new British artist, Olivia Dean. She’s so good! Also love Victoria Canal, Alec Benjamin, Lauren Aquilina, Bre Kennedy, Julianna Zachariou…
BRYCE: I’ve just discovered this new British artist, Olivia Dean. She’s so good! Also love Victoria Canal, Alec Benjamin, Lauren Aquilina, Bre Kennedy, Julianna Zachariou…
GLITTER: Social Isolation has become the new normal for now. What are your favorite things to do right now throughout the day?
BRYCE: Other than writing music and playing live stream concerts, I love experimenting with photography. I’ve set up a little studio in my apartment and have been spending some time doing that. I also love listening to podcasts, cooking, Facetiming my friends/family, making playlists, and sketching fashion ideas.
GLITTER: Favorite ways to center yourself and relax?
BRYCE: Yoga, a good solo car ride by the ocean with the music up, or cooking while listening to Ella & Louis on vinyl.
GLITTER: Favorite foods to snack on?
BRYCE: Cookies. Almonds. Dark Chocolate. Cheese. Sugar Snap Peas.
BRYCE: Cookies. Almonds. Dark Chocolate. Cheese. Sugar Snap Peas.
GLITTER: What are your top 5 binge-worthy shows?
BRYCE:
- Modern Love
- Big Little Lies
- The Good Place
- Little Fires Everywhere
- How to Get Away With Murder
GLITTER: Sage or Palo Santo?
BRYCE: Sage all the way.
BRYCE: Sage all the way.
GLITTER: Favorite fashion indulgence?
BRYCE: Shoes! Shoes! SHOES!
BRYCE: Shoes! Shoes! SHOES!
GLITTER: Top 5 beauty favs?
BRYCE:
BRYCE:
- Fresh Sugar lip balm in Honey
- Anastasia Brow Wiz
- Belif moisture bomb
- Glossier stretch concealer
- Hoola bronzer
GLITTER: Any projects you can tell us about that you’re working on next?
BRYCE: I’ve got a fun new single coming for you April 24th and a couple music videos thankfully filmed before quarantine. 🙂
GLITTER: Any special talents outside of music?
BRYCE: I spend a lot of time in graphic design and create most of the content everyone is seeing, myself.
GLITTER: Best social platform for fans to find you?
BRYCE: I definitely am most active on Instagram! @brycedrew
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