An Interview With Warner Records Nashville-Based Musician, BREN JOY On His Newest Track ‘Insecure’ Featuring Pink Sweat$ and More!

Get to know the Nashville-bred singer-songwriter with a unique alternative style that includes R&B, soul, pop, blues and gospel. Bren Joy is his name and his debut project Twenties is an ode to self-love, offering honest insight on intimacy and connectivity to processing racial injustices and asserting his will to succeed in an emotional and relatable journey of self-discovery and maturation. Bren’s talents and eclectic style have led to him opening up for Jhene Aiko, Megan Thee Stallion and more.

With overpowering vocal range, deft songwriting chops, piano virtuosity, and undeniable charisma, Bren Joy integrates pop universality into unpredictable R&B. Born and raised in Nashville, he introduced himself with the independent debut EP Twenties in 2019 before joining the Warner Music Family in 2020. Singles “Sweet” (feat. Landon Sears) and “Henny in the Hamptons” generated over 15 million global streams. Vulture named the latter on its “Best New Songs List” and The Tennessean proclaimed him one of the “Nashville Artists To Watch 2020.” In 2020, Big Loud Management brought Bren to Warner Records and released new music that’s fresh and timeless like the artist. He’s received honorable mentions from Billboard, American Songwriter, Rated R&B, and more. Most recently, Bren unveiled a fresh Twenties Deluxe EP featuring six new tracks including his simmering hit single, “Insecure” ft. Pink Sweat$. Bren presents a new paradigm for R&B and pop with his musicality and undeniable voice.

Connect With Bren Joy Online Here: WEBSITE

Learn more about Bren Joy in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! So what has this past year been like for you and your music? How are/did you get through the pandemic? Are things opening up now where you are? How do you feel about that? Did you get vaccinated yet?

BJ – Whats up! The past year has been definitely a whirlwind to say the least. It provided time however to really crack down on what I wanted to do creatively, so I would say it was the best a worldwide pandemic could’ve actually gone haha. I am now vaccinated and feeling pretty optimistic about the future!

What does it mean to you to be part of the Warner Music Family? Why is this label the best for you and your music today?

BJ – Man, it means a lot to be honest. Warner is really winning now, however, the company holds so many iconic moments in pop culture. To be a part of that and hopefully push forward their story means so much. It’s the best fit because it’s so diverse. Warner is about music that defines and reinvents. That’s what I strive to do daily

Let’s talk about your new Deluxe EP, “Twenties.” What was it like putting this collection together? Did anything surprise you about the overall process? Were there any unexpected challenges?

BJ – I didn’t plan on releasing a deluxe haha. It came pretty organically tbh. I had these songs that I didn’t feel like belonged anywhere else, yet somehow finished and accompanied the story I was trying to tell on Twenties so perfectly. The biggest challenge was finding the best way to tell the story. Figuring out how to piece a project formed in 2018 with music made for 2021. 

Can you pick out a few of your favorite songs on this collection? Where did the inspiration for them come from?

BJ – Insecure was definitely a favorite to make. I wanted at least one song to feel like a trap lullaby, if you will lol. I wanted it to be so serene and calming, almost as if it took notes from those 12-hour sleep loops on Youtube! Fiji Fine was also a favorite, and the hardest to write. Creatively, it’s the last one that was finished and the first one released ironically. It’s the most up-to-date creatively and sonically with where I’m at at the moment.

How creatively involved were you with the making of your newest video for “Insecure”? What was it like working with Pink Sweat$ on it?

BJ – Was there for every step. I have so many boards and journals with ideas that I want to emulate. This feeling of a bedroom in the middle of a giant piece of land holds this symbolism that the music parallels with so nicely. Pink Sweat$ is the boy haha. I have such respect for the art he creates, so it was the easiest thing ever having him on set for the video. 

How was your recent May 7th livestream performance in Nashville? What other upcoming live performances are you looking forward to now that concerts are coming back?

BJ – It went amazing. A lot of time went into that performance, so it was just a dream to get back to performing. I have so many performances we’re lining up but can’t talk about just yet! Haha Definitely can’t wait to see people’s faces very soon. 

Can you recall the moment when you thought you could be a musician? What do you think motivates you day in and day out?

BJ – Freshman year of college is when it definitely set in that I could actually do this. Was a surreal moment really feeling a joy for something so specific. Idk it’s really weird and hard to explain. I get so motivated by my dreams every day. I’m a big journaler and writer. Every day I try to jot down things that hopefully will keep me pushing and moving forward. 

Growing up, has music always been important in your life? If you weren’t an artist today, could you see yourself doing anything else? What is something else interesting/funny you are good at?

BJ – Nah, it’s definitely played a big part of my memories but it’s never been the forefront of my life. If I wasn’t an artist, I definitely would be in A&R. I am obsessed with small shows and seeking local artists and talent. I just truly believe the best art is undiscovered, so I loveeee the idea of being able to potentially provide kids with the ability to create art for a living.

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

BJ – The support easily. Lol, I did not think I’d receive love on my music so quickly after releasing it. It still baffles me that people listen to my shit haha. That’s been the biggest challenge at the same time. I’m really hard on myself on improving the music quality and what people are actually hearing, so it’s been a journey trying to push and seek out the best ways to output the best music. 

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

BJ – How much fun I have!! Bro every song is a mini story. I want people to be able to listen to my music like an audiobook, and hopefully feel some type of comfort in me and my art. Trust in me enough to create personal memories with my music.