Indie Folk Singer-Songwriter LAURA BREHM Discusses Her Latest EP, ‘Breathe’ and More!

Indie-folk singer/songwriter Laura Brehm released her solo EP, Breathe, on July 28th, 2017 via Electric Bird Records. Fans may recognize vocalist Laura Brehm from over 30 collaborations in the electronic dance music world, including popular songs such as “Monody” with TheFatRat which garnered over 37 million views on YouTube, and “We Won’t Be Alone” with Feint. Brehm’s EP, Breathe, bridges outside of the electronic music world, conveying a softer side of the artist with an indie-folk sound that appeals to fans of artists like Ellie Goulding, Imogen Heap, or Colbie Caillat. Today, Before putting out the EP, Brehm released the leading track from the EP, a delicate and sweet melody about true friendship/love titled “Parallel.” Laura Brehm stated the following about the track:

“‘Parallel’ is about true friendship/love.  When you’ve found someone that’s really meant for you, the relationship acts like a mirror.  It shows you who are but doesn’t judge you.  It’s about walking side by side through life and being there for each other, simultaneously raising each other up.  It’s about looking forward together and moving forward.  At the end of the day, happiness is only real when shared.” –  Laura Brehm

Singer/Songwriter and Colorado native, Laura Brehm is revealing more of her true potential with each song. With releases that hit the top of the Hype Machine Popular Chart and landed in iTunes Dance Charts and Spotify Viral 50, Laura Brehm is one of the most sought after vocalists in the Electronic Dance Music world today. As she continues to work with international producers and artists, Laura is bringing back her solo music allowing her to showcase an increasingly sophisticated style of her own. Combining her experience of different realms of music so far, her new folk/electronic sound will bring the best pieces of her background to the forefront.

The label, Electric Bird Records, was founded by Brehm herself, as she wanted to create a collaborative space for the music that she loves: folk + EDM.  She believed her unique merge of genres does not typically fit into any major label, nor does it with the EDM labels or indie folk labels.  As such, Laura created a place where the two combine, with music more on the experimental side rather than the standard pop hits. Laura’s innovative approach to songwriting and way of singing will continue to win over her steadily growing fan base. Laura Brehm has collaborated with artists such as Feint, TheFatRat, Ferry Corsten, and more. She has sung alongside Feint at Amsterdam’s Liquicity Festival (2016), and performed on the main stage at Red Rocks Amphitheater alongside Ecotek for the 2013 Global Dance Music Festival.

Learn more about Laura Brehm in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! How has 2017 been treating you? Musically, did you approach this year any differently then you did last year?

Thank you for interviewing me! 2017 has been the best year yet, and yes, I did approach music differently. Last year I did as many EDM collaborations as possible, releasing them often. This year, the most recent EDM track I released was in February: “Losing You” with Ephixa on Monstercat. Then I took a few months to self-produce my alternative/folk solo EP ‘Breathe’ and really focused in on that. I’m directing my attention back to releasing my solo work this year, but I’ll still continue to do collaborations as well. It’s been more of a balance, and that’s been great!

Where does this interview find you today? Is there music playing in the background? If so, what is it? What kind of music do you listen to when you are working? What music gets you instantly out of a bad mood?

I’m sitting in my apartment in Boulder, Colorado which is also my office and studio. No music in the background currently, because I’m resting my ears for studio time later! If I do have music on in the background, it’s usually either something really chill and relaxing, like instrumental ambient electronic music, or something classic like The Beatles or Fleetwood Mac.

Growing up, have you always wanted to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory?

Yes, I’ve always wanted to be a musician. I started singing around the age of 2, and I can remember singing a song on repeat to my little brother who had just been born. I also have memories of sitting at the piano with my dad, who is a classical pianist.

If you weren’t a musician today, what else could you see yourself doing?

I can see myself doing something with psychology, which is what I studied at University. More specifically, I’d use that knowledge and become more specialized in holistic healing therapy.

I always like to ask artists about where they came from and how that city or town has influenced them as an artist now. So how do you think your hometown in Colorado has affected who you are as a musician and the art that you create?

Interesting question! I definitely think that growing up in Colorado and still residing here influences myself personally and also the music I create. Colorado is a very outdoorsy place, so I’m continually inspired by nature. We have all 4 seasons here and plenty of sunny days, so I think the constant change in weather also helps my inspiration to keep moving. Also, folk and bluegrass music is huge here, and that’s become an influence for me. As I continue in my music career, I’m finding more and more interest in those genres and now I’m learning how to play the banjo!

You recently released your first solo EP via Electric Bird Records. What did that feel like? What was it like putting the collection together? Did anything surprise you about the whole process?

It has been quite the process. This EP has been in the works for years, and I also kept trying to give the songs to another producer. In the end, self-producing it was kind of terrifying to me but also exciting, so I decided to give it a shot. What surprised me is that I got into the flow of production in the same way I get into the flow of songwriting. It was very inspired and though there were definitely a lot of challenges because of my huge learning curve, I’m glad that it turned out the way it did. It was a relief to release it because I feel like I’ve re-introduced my solo work to my audience now and I can keep going from here.

What was the inspiration for your latest single released called “Parallel”?

“Parallel” was inspired by true friendship; it can be platonic and it can also involve romantic love, but either way it’s just about being on the same wave length as someone else, and how special that connection is.

How does your music and really the process of being a solo artist compare the other musical projects that you have been involved with?

My process of being a solo artist has been about transformation. I released two full length solo albums before I got into EDM, then mainly did EDM collaborations (focusing on vocal writing and performing) for about 5 years, and now I’ve started to release solo music again. Even though I wasn’t releasing my solo work for a while, I have been working on the songwriting and concepts behind the scenes the entire time. So there’s a huge difference between my last full length album, ‘Dreams’, and this new EP, ‘Breathe’. With my solo music I’m able to be more experimental and 100% my style, which is refreshing after collaborating a lot. Collaborating is great too though of course, I’ve learned a lot from it and some of my favorite songs I’ve released have been with other artists! In the end, all of the work you do as an artist combined helps to propel you forward and evolve.

I would love to know more about creating Electric Bird Records and where the idea to start your own label first came from? What other artists is this label representing right now? How do you go about searching for these musicians?

Years ago when I first started doing vocals for EDM, I thought about changing my alias to Electric Bird. I decided against the idea and to stick with my name, but that title had always stuck with me. Fast forward to 2016 and I released my first solo single in 5 years, “Don’t Wait”. I wondered if I put something out there that wasn’t an EDM track, if my fans would respond just as well to it and they did! It was a self-release and I hadn’t really promoted the label itself yet. Then in early 2017 my friend Evoke and I needed to re-release our EP ‘Future Holds’ and it really fit as a succession from the track “Don’t Wait” which Evoke produced. So I started thinking that this could be a place where folk and electronic music could exist in harmony. The Breathe EP came next which will be followed by the Breathe EP Remixes, which again showcases a contrast between folk and EDM. Currently the label is a place for my solo music and some of my collaborations and remixes, but I have plans to represent other artists as the label grows.

How do you think that being a musician has helped you live your best life? Can you talk about the joy that it brings you today?

It’s hard to put into words the joy that music brings me. It’s so integral to my life and to my being. It’s more than a job; it’s my lifestyle and it’s very fulfilling! I think that it’s helped me to live my best life because I am constantly in search of inspiration and experiences that will fuel me to write meaningful songs. It also drives me to become a better person every day; mentally, physically, and spiritually. The healthier I am, the better work I do. Overall it has enriched my life, and also because I have met so many amazing people because of music.

What are your plans for the rest of the summer? Do you have any plans to tour live?

I’m going to be in the studio for the rest of the summer. Now that the EP has been released, I’m ready to get to work on some new collaborations as well as start producing a new solo song. I’m also going to spend a lot of time developing my YouTube channel, and growing my presence there. I definitely will tour live in the future, I’m just not sure exactly when that will happen yet. I’m going to take some time to figure out what I will do live, who will be on stage with me, and how I will incorporate acoustic and EDM into one performance.

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

My top 5 favorites would have to be: The Beatles, Imogen Heap, Radiohead, Ellie Goulding, and Royksopp. These people are my idols! I just hope to be as iconic as they are one day. There are countless musicians I’d love to work with in the future including the ones I’d be able to work with from my top 5. Others would include: Zedd, Bon Iver, Tame Impala, Lindsey Stirling, deadmau5, Flume, Bonobo, and many other electronic producers.

What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people continue to take away from your songs?

I hope that people can listen to my music and be able to get something out of it, rather than it just being background noise. Whether it’s a track they can’t stop listening to while driving, something that gives them hope for the future, helps them cope with a heartbreak, or inspires them to write their own music, I’m super happy with any of those outcomes. I mainly hope that my music encourages others to follow their dreams.

What advice would you give to someone just getting started on this music path? Or even to someone young that is thinking of becoming a musician one day?

I would say that if you want to get started, don’t over think it and don’t be afraid! Just go for it. Sign up for a piano lesson. Buy a used guitar and start writing. Take out a notebook and write down a few lyrics. If you feel inspired, act on it. You never know where it may lead you.