By: Shayla Lee
Empowering, fun, and full of girl power are a few words that describe Brynn Elliott and her music. The Boston-based musician has been swiftly gaining attention from her latest single ‘Might Not Like Me,’ a track about self-acceptance. The song sparkles with confidence, and her newly released music video is no different.
On August 25th, Brynn will be performing on the Festival Stage at Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day powered by Net Generation. The event, which benefits the USTA Foundation, will feature some of the world’s top tennis players as well as live performances by Echosmith, In Real Life, and more up-and-coming talent.
We chatted with Brynn about her August 25th performance, her ‘Might Not Like Me,’ her music video which ended up being a one-shot take, and her upcoming EP which will be released on September 7th!
Femme Riot: How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t heard it before?
Brynn Elliott: It is anthemic, encouraging and empowering with a side of 80’s synth pop.
Where do you draw inspiration for your music? Do you have any musical influences?
When I was younger my dad took me on a road trip and November Rain by Guns n’ Roses came on the radio and I had never heard anything like it. So, he found the nearest cd store and educated me on all the bands he loved, U2, Chicago, Boston etc. So I’ve always been inspired by rock music. I am also inspired by women like Adele, Brandi Carlile, Ingrid Michaelson – they are some of my favorites.
I absolutely love your song ‘Might Not Like Me’ – it’s such a female empowerment anthem! In you interview with Refinery 29, you explained that you worried about being “too much” for someone, which reminded me a lot of what Lorde addresses in her song ‘Liability.’ What advice would you give to someone who is experiencing the same feelings that you went through and is struggling to embrace themselves? Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind this track?
Ah, thank you! I absolutely adore that Lorde song – it’s stunning. Might Not Like Me really came from an experience where I cared so much about what the guy I was dating thought about me. I even started to be afraid that he wouldn’t like me if I talked a certain way or if I came off as “too passionate” about my music etc.
My advice for the person in the situation that I was in would be to go with your gut – I know it sounds so simple but I think the issue for me was really that I paid more attention to what this guy thought about me than what I thought and knew about myself. I think more often than not there is truth already in us. We just have to listen to it.
You also recently released your music video for ‘Might Not Like Me’ which is also empowering! I felt like the video complimented the lyrics perfectly. At the beginning of the video your movements were softer and you seemed more shy but by the end of the video you looked stronger and your movements were fierce, similar to the journey of the song’s lyrics. Can you tell us more about your music video?
Ahh I love how you noticed that about the video! That was actually my goal. I wanted the video to reflect the story of someone leaving all the hindrances of the past behind while also embracing the excitement of the present and future and the empowerment that comes through knowing oneself.
There’s also this funny story about the video. Originally the team at Atlantic and I had this massive video planned with all these different set ups and outfits. We filmed in LA and towards the end of the day we had this alleyway scene scheduled. After filming so much we finally got to the alleyway and the director, Sarah McColgan, came up to me and shared this personal connection to the alleyway and we ended up having this wonderful conversation about the song and what it both meant to us. I was so fueled and so excited about what she said to me and that the song meant something to her.
I went into filming that scene and was so in the song – I really think it was because of our conversation. We got the footage back and all felt like there was something magical about the one-shot take! I had always wanted to do a one-shot video and so the fact that it happened in my first ever music video was so fulfilling for me. I am so grateful to the whole team who worked on it!
Have you faced any challenges being a woman in the music industry? If so, how did you overcome the adversity and do you have any advice for other women facing similar challenges in their own lives?
I have worked very hard to surround myself with true professionals who are passionate about my music and career. And that has been an endless blessing to me. And that would really be my advice for anyone moving into the industry – surround yourself with professionals and those people who really want you to be yourself and encourage that in you.
You will be performing on the festival stage at Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day on August 25. This must feel very exciting! Can you tell us more about this event and what fans can expect from your performance?
I am so excited and so honored to play at Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day. Arthur Ashe was an incredible humanitarian and it’s so exciting to be part of an event that honors his incredible legacy and benefits the wonderful USTA Foundation which provides free or low-cost tennis lessons to many, many children annually.
I am playing the Radio Disney stage which I am so excited about and I will be playing songs from my upcoming EP and some throwbacks. Very excited!!
We hear you have new music in the works! Can you let us in on any secrets?
Yes! I am releasing an EP called “Time of Our Lives” on September 7th! I am so excited about the release. I feel like it is a collection of songs that really represent what you can expect from me as an artist! I really cannot wait for it to be out there.
And then I may or may not be working on a full album to be released next year.
What songs are currently listening to?
Growing Pains by Alessia Cara is my current jam. And then I love this song by an artist named Jade Bird – it is called Furious.
Anything we haven’t asked that you want to add?
Stay tuned for tour dates! I will be on the road a whole bunch starting the beginning of next year!
I want to thank Brynn for doing this interview! For more information about her free performance at Arthur Ashe Kids Day, head over to the website here. Stay in the know with Brynn by following her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. For some dancey, girl power vibes, check out her ‘Might Not Like Me’ video and music is below!
FEMME RIOT 