Making the Most of Independence: An Interview with Singer-Songwriter Brooke Lambert

If you’re not familiar with Gold Coast-based singer-songwriter, Brooke Lambert, consider this your introduction. After spending some time on the tour circuit for a number of Australian acts as well as playing a host of festivals nationwide and releasing her debut EP, Right Now last year, the country music artist has certainly had her hands full.

In this interview, we discuss the inspiration behind her new single, I Don’t Wanna Hate You (which debuted within the top 40 of the Australian iTunes charts), the freedom being an independent artist affords her, and plans for her upcoming tour.

Congratulations on the recent release of your latest single, I Don’t Wanna Hate You. What’s your fans’ reaction been like so far?

Thank you! So far I’ve had nothing but great feedback. Everyone seems to really love the vibe of the song and are constantly telling me how catchy it is and how much it is getting stuck in their heads, which as a songwriter, is one of the best compliments you can get.  It was definitely Antonina [Ward] and [my biggest] goal for this upcoming [release].

This song is written about a toxic relationship. Did it make you anxious to share something so personal in such a public way?

Not at all. Maybe a few years ago it would have scared me, but not now. I’ve found over the years that the most relatable songs are the most raw and honest and that is what is most important to me.

I used to be afraid of the backlash I might get from the people I write songs about, but I’m a lot stronger than I used to be. Let’s face it, my boyfriends never listened to my music when I was with them, so I doubt they are listening to it now. (Laughs)

 

I Don’t Wanna Hate You is the first single from your upcoming debut album, which is due for release next year. How indicative is the song of what fans can expect to hear on the record?

I Don’t Wanna Hate You is definitely a true representation of what to look forward to with the album. Each song we tried to be as catchy as possible and even when singing about something sad we worked on the vibe being very uplifting.

I wanted an album that people can dance to, move to and feel good about. There is one ballad on there which is a very raw song and is close to the way I used to write. I think [it] will be very relatable to people.

 

What usually inspires your song writing?

True experiences. I’ve never written a song and never intend to write a song that isn’t the story of something I’ve been through. I don’t just sit down and decide to write something. I go through a situation and writing is what pulls me out of that hard time, it really gets me through. I guess I’m lucky enough that people actually care to listen to these stories and most cases, can relate.

You’re working with producer Jared Adlam (Machine Lab Studios) on your upcoming debut album. What made you want to work with him?

I met Jared a few years ago in Tamworth and we both quickly found out that we lived on the Gold Coast. I listened to some of Jared’s work and was so impressed.

He is also just such a good, genuine dude and after I first meeting. I knew we were a great fit for working together. He blew me away with the work he did on my first EP Right Now and that is a complete understatement for how I feel about what he’s done for this next album. I have no words for how grateful I am for how this one has turned out.

 

Can you talk me through the recording process so far?

So far, we’ve got about six tracks pretty much done and dusted! I write the songs, take them to Jared and he works his magic.

Unfortunately for both of us, it seems that once we’ve recorded a few, I write more and then want to record those instead! It’s kind of annoying, but I guess that just means that my creative juices flow the most during the recording process, which is actually kind of good.

 

Do you feel pressure when writing a new album or song, given that I Don’t Wanna Hate You charted at no. 35 on the iTunes charts in the first week of its release, and your debut EP Right Now also charted well?

Not at all. I have so much faith in my music, I need to. I definitely think that you get out of it what you put into it and I work extremely hard on my songs, especially the lyrics. You need to have thick skin in this industry and if I were to release a song that didn’t do as well as the last, it would only make me work harder on the next one.

How difficult is it being an independent artist in today’s industry?

Personally, the most difficult thing I find about being an independent artist is the financial struggle. It takes so much time and hard work to make music and it barely returns any money which in turn, obviously makes it a lot harder to keep working on more music. Somehow though you just manage to make it work.

Exposure can also be quite hard, getting onto playlists and getting music videos out there can be quite hard when you don’t have a team behind you.

 

You have over 3,000 followers on Facebook. What role does social media play in your engagement with fans and getting your music out there?

I absolutely love social media and have so much fun with it! I don’t take life very seriously and you can find me posting a lot of crazy and fun things on there. I just love to make people laugh and love to be real with them. I think it helps people relate to me as an artist as well when I’m not constantly posting what everyone else is posting.

 

What’s the biggest misconception people have in regards to making a career in the music business?

I think the funniest thing is definitely that they think you make a lot of money out of it and can’t understand why you are complaining about being broke all the time!

Who are your idols, both personally and professionally?

Miranda Lambert will forever be my biggest inspiration. She is such a strong, bad-ass woman and an amazing songwriter and musician. I’ve looked up to her for as long as I can remember.

Lady Gaga is actually another huge inspiration of mine. She is such a strong business woman and built a career from nothing. A lot of people make judgement without knowing her story. She knows what she wants, doesn’t give up until she gets it and doesn’t let any negativity stand in her way.

I basically look up to anyone personally, who does their own thing and is paving their own path with 100% determination for success.

 

How and when were you inspired to make music your career path?

I’ve been a writer for as long as I can remember. I’m absolutely obsessed with words and how many different ways they can be spun in a paragraph to tell a million different stories. I will always be, first and foremost, a storyteller.

I used to write stories and poetry growing up, it wasn’t until I was about the age of 19 (the age I went through my first real break up) when I taught myself to play the guitar and decided to write songs and put my poetry to music as a way to help me through difficult times. I’ve never looked back.

 

You’re touring later this month, and also have dates booked for December and an appearance at Tamworth Country Music Festival next year. What can people expect from one of your live performances?

People can expect a performance from Brooke Lambert that they haven’t seen before. I am playing a number of full-band shows at the Tamworth Country Music Festival which I haven’t done before so I’m extremely excited about it.

Although I will still  be playing songs from my EP Right Now, my new music is a lot more fun and upbeat and I can’t wait to give everyone a taste of the new EP before it is released.

I also hope that people love my solo acoustic performances as well. I have been working hard on a new set and have been writing new songs like crazy!

What makes Tamworth Country Music Festival, and this genre in particular, so special?

The Tamworth Country Music Festival will always hold such a special place in my heart because that’s where it all began for me. It was the first festival that I showcased my original songs and it opened up so many doors for me. This genre is also so special to me because of the honesty and the storytelling.

 

You’ve become a bit of a festival regular, having also performed at Broadbeach Country Music Festival and Backroad Bash Music Festival. What do you love most about performing in a festival setting?

Meeting everyone! It’s definitely my favourite part. All year round I have so many new people find me on social media and support me as an artist and I absolutely love when a festival brings us all together and I finally get to meet everyone. It’s also a really amazing feeling playing to a crowd of people who have paid to come and see you and know your music.

 

How does that compare to smaller venues, such as those featured on your upcoming tour?

I think the biggest difference is that with the smaller venues, people aren’t coming from all over Australia to come and see you. I really love playing smaller venues though, because those are the chances to make new fans, meet new people and people often come across you when they weren’t looking, which is always really nice to get a following that way.

 

 

Generally speaking, what do you prefer: playing festivals or smaller shows?

Honestly, as long as people are having a good time and are interested in the stories I’m singing, I don’t mind. I truly love both – any chance to play my music to an audience is a win for me.

 

What do you enjoy most about touring in general?

Getting to play my music every day! And I just love being on the road. I’m not someone who likes to sit still so if I can play my music every night or any weekend in a different place, I’m all for it!

 

When not performing or recording, what does an average day look like for you?

I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m a nocturnal human because for someone reason I find myself getting to bed around 3am every night! So, my average day would be a good sleep in and then heading straight to the beach to catch as much sun and water as I can, catching up with friends, going for a run and I do a lot of song writing at night time.

You’ve performed alongside the likes of Kirsty Lee Akers – where I first saw you live – NeillyRich and The Choirboys. Do you have a favourite of all the artists you’ve supported?

I definitely loved supporting The Choirboys. I’ve listened to their music for ages and as the show was in my hometown of the Gold Coast, I had a lot of friends there to see it all, which was really great.

What have you learnt from those experiences?

It’s always such an honour to support fellow musicians and I love watching their sets. There is always something new to learn.

I think the most valuable thing I have learnt from this is that every musician has their own style of performing and by spending time with others, it’s helped me be confident with my own style.

If you could collaborate with anyone in the industry (living or dead), who would it be and why?

I’d probably have to say Miranda Lambert because as I said earlier, she’s my idol and I think that our writing and performance styles are very similar. It has nothing to do with our last name being the same, I swear!!

What are some of the highlights and lowlights of your career thus far?

The lowlights have definitely been listening to people’s advice who didn’t have my best interests at heart. I lost myself for a little bit, being persuaded in a direction that wasn’t authentic to me. But luckily I came out the other side before I let it go too far.

The highlights have definitely been the response I’ve received from fans, they constantly have my back with everything that I’ve worked on to date. I couldn’t have dreamed that my debut EP would come in at #4 on the iTunes Country Charts on the day of its release, so stuff like that just makes all the hard work pay off.

I’m extremely happy to be working independently again and have never been so confident with my brand and direction than I am now. It’s always a great feeling when you feel like you’re on the right track.

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?

Do not give up, no matter what anyone tells you. If you live and breathe music as much as I do, if you can’t go one minute of your day listening to music or thinking about it, don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not good enough.

Always believe in yourself and remember that you won’t always be everyone’s cup of tea. You only need one person to believe in you – and that’s you. Also, please ALWAYS be yourself and don’t change who you are because someone says you’ll succeed more if you do something different.

What music are you listening to at the moment?

I’ve had the new album by Mitch James on repeat, he’s a singer/songwriter from New Zealand and I just love his work. Also listening to a lot of Dean Lewis, Lauv (amazing songwriter!), Ruston Kelly and Jillian Jacqueline. I love finding new music and it’s literally a passion of mine to hunt down great songwriters on Spotify.

What have you got planned for the rest of this year (aside from your tour)?

 

I’ll be working on finalising the tracks for my upcoming EP, spending a lot of much needed down time in the sun and rehearsing for the band shows in Tamworth in January.

 

Be sure to catch Brooke Lambert live in the coming months. Details of her  tour dates – including when she will be appearing at Tamworth Country Music Festival – can be found below or via her website. Also, keep an eye on her social media accounts for the I Don’t Wanna Hate You music video (due for release on 19^th November 2018).

Sunday 18^th November – BIN 72 – Coolangatta, NSW

Sunday 25^th November – Mr Henderson – Sandgate, QLD

Saturday 22^nd December – Rivea Italian Dining – Broadbeach, QLD

Thursday 24^th January – Tudor Hotel (w/ Josh Setterfield) – Tamworth, NSW

Friday 25^th January – The Longyard (w/ Josh Setterfield) – Tamworth, NSW

Sunday 27^th January – The Longyard (w/ Josh Setterfield) – Tamworth, NSW