An Interview With the Singer-Songwriter SAVANNAH OUTEN On Her Latest Music, Favorite Artists and More!

Singer-songwriter Savannah Outen just released her brand new single “Sad in the Summer.”

Link to “Sad in the Summer”: 

http://ontheaside.com/music/premiere-savannah-outen-sad-in-the-summer/

Savannah blew up on the scene after posting incredible covers on her YouTube page back in 2007.  With her larger than life voice, she went on to perform at the 85th Macy’s Thanksgiving DayParade, attend the American Music Awards, and reach over 122 million views on her YouTube channel.  Within two weeks of releasing “Goodbyes,” it debuted at #28 on the Top 30 Countdown on Radio Disney, charting for 18 straight weeks and peaking at #5, making it the highest rated song an unsigned artist has ever achieved on Radio Disney.

Savannah took a break after her initial success to take time to figure out who she was as an artist and not who people were telling her to be.  Her last single “Coins” is actually the narrative to that story and about how Savannah refuses to change to fit a mold or be who some executive tells her she should be.

Connect with Savannah Outen Here:

YouTube: savannah7448
Facebook: savannahmusic
Instagram: therealsavannah
Twitter: therealsavannah

Learn more about Savannah Outen in the following All Access interview:

Where does this interview find you now? What’s on tap for the rest of your day?

I’m currently sitting at a cute local coffee shop near my apartment. I’ve got a session in a couple hours and The Bachelor in Paradise premiere is tonight. So it couldn’t be a more perfect day 😉

Overall, how do you think 2018 has been treating you and your music career? What has been one goal that you have had this year and how close are you to reaching it? 

2018 is treating me well! My goal for 2018 was to release a bunch of new music and that’s exactly what I’m doing this year! I am so happy to share these stories and connect with more and more people.

Growing up, was music always a big part of your life? Can you recall your first ever musical experience?

Music has always been a huge part of my life. I went to so many concerts growing up, wishing I was the one on stage. I sang harmonies to the radio 24/7. It was never something I thought I could pursue as a career until I started my YouTube page at 15.

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? Has there been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all? 

Challenges are inevitable and the ones I have faced have only made me stronger. I think the biggest surprise to me is how much of a process it’s been. It takes time, it takes the right people, the right moment. All of the pieces have to fall into place at the perfect time. And I think that’s the hardest part to understand. It’s definitely not just about the music.

How do you think you and your music have been influenced by your hometown and where you live today ? What is the music scene like there these days? If you don’t think that it has affected you at all, why is that?

Life in general is the biggest influence in my music. My childhood and adulthood play huge roles in my music now. I’ve learned so much since being in this industry. I have learned how strong I am. When I first jumped into this music scene, I had a bad management situation. I was being pushed and pulled to put out a certain kind of music in order to “make it”. Once I parted ways, I spent the next few years developing my sound and truly embracing who I am.

I find it interesting that sometimes musicians choose to go by something other than their own name so why did you choose to go by your real name?

I go by my name because I want to be myself during every part of this journey. I’m a pretty simply girl who just loves to sing. And like every other girl, I relish the idea of being accepted for being me. I don’t have a crazy story, and don’t want to feel like I have to have a gimmick or wear intense flashy things in order to attract followers. I’m just me and that’s all I can be!

Let’s talk about your newest single “Sad in the Summer.” Where did the inspiration for it come from? When do you hope to release more new music and a full collection of new songs?

I wrote this song last year with K Kov and Colin Dieden. The inspiration behind it was an on and off relationship that I knew wasn’t right for me. But I couldn’t stay away and it wasn’t until writing this song that I gained a sense of freedom. I love that everyone is saying how unique and fresh it sounds. K Kov killed the production and took it to another level. I have the next couple singles lined up and ready to go, too!

How do you think that you have continued to grow and develop as an artist over the years and since you began performing?

I am growing every single day. But the biggest learning experience for me comes from watching and working with these amazingly talented writers and producers. I’m a sponge in sessions because I want to soak up all their knowledge. Also I’m constantly learning every time I get on stage and perform, figuring out what I can do to make it better the next time around!

If you had all the time and money in the world, which one of your songs would you make a music video for and what would your dream music video look like?

Oooh! I have a song coming out called “Let Me Guess” and I would love the music video to be like Oceans 8. It’s a very sassy song and I would want 7 of my favorite powerful ladies to be in it with me. It would be shot on the Universal Studios lot. It would be catered by Starbucks and NoBu. That’s the dream video 😉

What do you think makes for an ideal show for you? What has been a favorite performance of yours so far? Do you have any upcoming shows this summer? 

I love performers like Bruno Mars and Taylor Swift. It’s a big production and super entertaining. One of my favorite performances was Prince singing Purple Rain in the rain at the Super Bowl XLI. It was magic. One of my favorite performances I’ve seen live in person was Celine Dion in Las Vegas. Her voice was 100 at all times. And she was cracking jokes and having the best time. I want my shows to be perfect for all ages and give them a real experience.

We are currently living through a very trying and politically charged time right now so I am curious to know how your own music is reflecting this time period? If you don’t think it is, why is that? Would you say that other musicians are making music that has been influenced by this climate? 

I’m inspired every day by the fight of so many people during this crazy time. People are standing up for what they believe in and it’s so motivating. I’d say my music is definitely influenced but I come at it at a more positive approach. I want to use my voice to inspire people to speak their truths and never settle.

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? 

I enjoy sharing all aspects of my life with my followers so it’s fun for me! It’s never been something that’s hard for me to keep up with because at the end of the day I view my followers as my friends so it’s just one big Facebook share to me lol.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely still love to work with in the future? 

I’m so inspired by big voices like Adele, Jessie J and Christina Aguilera. I also love John Mayer and how he writes such conversational lyrics. My DREAM session would be John Mayer, Julia Michaels, Ryan Tedder and Jon Bellion. I’ll supply the snacks.

If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island forever, what musical item would you take with you? 

I’d take my McPherson guitar. It has the most perfect sound and doesn’t even need a speaker. I’d also stuff some paper and pen in there too 😉

If your music was going to be featured on any TV show that is currently on right now, which would you love it to be on? Or if you prefer, what is a movie that you love that you wish your music was featured in?

Literally any rom com! It’d be such a cool feeling be able to see my song support a scene. I’d also love to perform on the Bachelor during one of the dates 😉

At the end of the day, what do you hope your fans take away from your music?

I want to be the soundtrack to girls lives. I hope they find that one song that they can lay in bed and cry to and realize they aren’t alone. Or that song they can blast in their car ad shout “I’M OVER YOU BLAKE” or whatever their name is 😉

I’d love to be able to represent every girl.

Where can our readers connect with you?

They can find me on everywhere! savannahouten.com And follow me on instagram.com/therealsavannah and tell me my embarrassing captions are funny lol

(photography provided by www.statusartistdevelopment.com)