Brit Daniels
Nashville-based pop artist Brit Daniels is back with a brand new single entitled “Deja Vu”.
Written by Daniels herself and Jonathan Perkins, the pop single is exploring Daniels’ past relationships.
“I went into my write with Jonathan having just gone through yet another failed 3 month relationship-ish experience where the guy seemed so great and intentional in the beginning, and then about a month and a half in, he started doing things that I had guys do in past relationships that were HUGE red flags. And I was like “noooo why does this always happen? It’s like I’m having Deja Vu from past relationships,” says Daniels.
Supported by Jonathan Perkins’ production, Daniels brilliantly displays her emotional and elegant vocals. “Deja Vu” is a stunning pop record that remarkably combines vulnerability and honesty.
“Deja Vu” is now available on major streaming platforms.
Photo credit: Jacqueline Day
Introduce yourself - where are you from?
Hi! My name is Brit Daniels, and I’m originally from the Dallas/Fort Worth area in Texas, but I have lived in Nashville for the past 5 years now!
What's your story?
So, I was born and raised in North Texas, and I technically started singing at the age of 2. My mom caught me scream-singing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” in the back yard, and she said thato was the moment she knew that I could carry a tune. I was EXTREMELY shy as a kid though, so from that moment until I was about 13, I only really would sing where my family could hear me- was not quite ready or confident enough to break out into public performances yet. After a funny experience in my middle school math class, everyone found out I could sing and that was the real beginning of me actually pursuing music. I started recording almost immediately in local studios and entering all kinds of local and national talent shows - pretty much anywhere that would let me sing, I’d be there. I lost my dad when I was a teenager and the emotional distraught I was feeling from that really led me to start focusing more on writing because I had no idea how to express my feelings. I think that’s why writing means so much to me because it was the only thing that I could do to really help me cope with that experience. About 3 years after my dad passed, I came to the realization that I couldn’t actively pursue music to the caliber that I wanted to without living in one of the big 3 cities (NYC, LA, Nashville), and I had visited Nashville and fell in love with it! So, I picked up and moved here, and have been here ever since, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made because I have continually been growing and being purified into a better artist, writer and person.
Could you describe us your childhood? Any favorite memories?
Well, my childhood looked a looooot different than most people’s childhoods because I had a disabled father who was paralyzed and had a severe closed head injury from a car accident that he had in the line of duty as a police officer. There’s a lot of things that I had to understand and do differently than most kids at times, but I always loved being around my dad. He was hilarious, SO intelligent and had the best heart. My mom was also my best friend and my rock through the hard times with everything, and she’s still my best friend to this day. I’d say one of my favorite memories was dressing up like the Spice Girls with my mom and cousin/friends and “performing” in our living room. Thank God there are no pictures of this anywhere (as far as I know, haha).
Do you remember your first musical memories?
Well apparently my first actual musical moment was when I was 2, so I don’t necessarily remember that one, but I remember pretty much everything after that. My dad bought me this small PA system that I put in the garage, and from age (about) 4 on, I’d practice out there all the time, and I’d constantly be keeping up with music in pop culture, and I vividly remember my first time recording. So yeah, I’d say I remember mostly everything really well! They were all milestone moments, and even though I’ve done WAY more cooler things since then, those are the moments where everything began. I’ve been in hundreds of studios now, but I still remember my first time recording in a small studio in Fort Worth, and how intimidating the engineer was to 13 year old me. Now I go into studio with platinum selling producers sometimes and it’s still wild to me. It’s crazy, but I still remember everything about my first experience so vividly.
Do you remember the first album you've ever bought?
I’m about 95% sure it was an NSYNC album. Their blue one with the fire flame on it. Pretty sure it was their self titled album. I’m a 90s baby, so I was ALLLLL about NSYNC back then.
At what point did you decide to pursue music as a career?
I think it was definitely always headed in that direction, but the moment I was like “okay I am doing this” was right after my dad passed away, and I simultaneously decided to move to Nashville!
How would you describe Brit Daniels, the artist?
I would describe myself as an artist who is really honest and vulnerable as well as genuine. I always strive to be genuine. Especially in a world where social media is such a highlight reel - if you watch my stories, you definitely see my weird, goofy personality. I want people to feel like they know the real me. I can be very fun and very serious/deep, and I feel like my music shows both of those sides. I love dark/moody songs, and I love feel good music, so I’ve tried to incorporate both of those vibes into a lot of my music!
You’ve just released your new single "Deja Vu". What's the story behind this song?
So I went into my write with Jonathan having just gone through yet another failed 3 month relationship-ish experience where the guy seemed so great and intentional in the beginning, and then about a month and a half in, he started doing things that I had had guys do in past relationships that were HUGE red flags. And I was like “noooo why does this always happen? It’s like I’m having Deja Vu from past relationships.” So that’s pretty much how the song title came about, and then I went into a write I had with Jonathan with a few ideas and this one stuck out to him, which I was so happy about because I was hoping this was the one we’d write because I was living it at the time. So we did, and it was probably one of the easiest ones we’ve written together!
You worked with Jonathan Perkins on this song. How was it like to work with him? How did you guys meet?
Jonathan is awesome and so, incredibly talented and knowledgeable! He’s become one of my friends, which always makes the process of working together more fun! We actually met in a professional setting though about 3 or 4 years ago now through a manager I was with at the time, but we didn’t start working together until after I parted ways with that manager.
Who produced the song?
Jonathan actually produced this song too! We wrote it and then he built the track in the direction of the vibe I wanted, and then we did all the vocals and stuff! When I say he’s awesome, I mean it!
What did you feel when writing this song?
So I actually felt this incredible sense of relief since we were writing this about something I was walking through at the time, not something that had happened and I had already received closure for. It was almost like a freeing feeling since I was just laying all of my feelings and these details I was going through out there, but I wanted to keep the vibe dark and moody to stay true to the emotions that were being expressed and the feel of the song with the lyrics.
What's your goal for "Deja Vu"?
Well, I always say that if it can help just one person it was worth it, and I really do truly feel that way, but I also want to see Deja Vu surpass the streaming numbers of all of my other songs because this one is special to me, so I honestly am really hoping and praying for a million + streams, as cliche as that sounds, but I haven’t hit that milestone just yet, so I would love to with this one!
What appeals you the most about songwriting?
It’s a really healthy outlet to cope with what I’m feeling regardless of what the situation is! I really realized this and fell in love with it when I lost my dad, and I just think it’s an incredible way to express yourself.
Would you consider songwriting as a form of therapy? In what way?
Oh 100%. I write about soooo much that happens to me in real life in some form or facet - good and bad. If you looked through my songs you could probably figure out what I was going through at the time.
What inspires you the most?
Real life situations. I feel like I mostly write about relationships/love (or lack thereof, haha), but it’s all stuff I’ve lived or someone has lived and talked to me about and I was able to relate to. It’s the vulnerability and honesty that make great songs!
What does singing make you feel?
Singing, whether it be live or in the studio, gives me such a natural high and puts me at so much peace. It’s what I’m meant to do and it’s where I’m most in my element.
What do you like the most about performing?
Nothing makes me happier than when I’m performing, and I can genuinely see people’s reactions to the music/me as an artist. It makes me so happy to interact with people in an open and real setting rather than asking them what they think of the music over email. There’s nothing else really like it.
How do you want to be remembered for?
I know I kind of said this earlier, but I want to be remembered as someone who was genuine - as a person, as an artist, as a writer, as a creative. I want people to see me in what I do and not that I’m trying to be something that I’m not or do something that is just popular at the time. I also love interacting with my fans and I want them to remember that I was kind and that I made them feel important because I always try to maintain interaction with my fans because I love them, and I hope they never forget that!
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
Honestly, I think there’s a lack of respect in the world across the board. If people could just learn to respect people regardless of if you agree with them or not (because if the tables were turned you would want the same respect), we’d have a much better, and much more peaceful society I think.
What biggest lessons have you learnt as a human being and as an artist?
To always be kind and inclusive. You never know what things people are walking through, what situations people have walked through, what positions they’ll be elevated to. Just be kind and inclusive to everyone. You don’t have to like everyone to be kind, it just has to be a conscious thought, and it’s a good conscious thought to keep.
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