Q&A with Indie Pop Singer-Songwriter BEAN!

Let All Access Music writer, Nicole DeRosa introduce you to indie-pop, singer-songwriter, Bean!

The Dallas-born, Nashville-raised, Los Angeles-based singer’s new single “Wildfire” was the iTunes free download of the week and clocked in 98,000 downloads. The song appeared at the top of the iTunes ‘Hot Tracks’ chart and was debuted on KIIS-FM. Bean recently performed at LA hot spot, The Sayers Club on June 4th and most recently at the infamous Hotel Café on June 23rd.

Bean’s music has been featured in commercials for Mitsubishi, Lay’s and Bud Light Lime, and as the theme song for OK! TV. She is an iHeart Digital Integration Artist and was a featured artist for Coca-Cola’s “52 Songs of Happiness” campaign. Bean has written songs with Grammy award-winning writers and producers Toby Gad (Demi Lovato, One Direction, Selena Gomez), Jim Jonsin (Beyonce, Usher, Lil Wayne) and David Hodges (Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Christina Perri).

Read more in Nicole’s interview with the talented singer-songwriter, BEAN below!

Hi Bean! How are you today? What’s on the agenda today besides our interview?

I can’t complain! I’m alive and well and lucky enough to be kickin’ it with ya’ll. Today, I have a writing session and another interview in the works, so one could call me a “busy bee.” 😉

How did you get your start in music? Who or what was the catalyst for you to want to be a musician, songwriter and performer?

I sang my first note in church. Then out of nowhere, an acoustic Yamaha was gifted to me from an angel of a lady who to this day I haven’t seen since! It took me a while to get good at training my fingers but eventually, I started posting videos on YouTube. After less than a year of writing, fate brought me to my manager through a random sand volleyball cookout in the summer of 2011.

Jimmy Murphy, a reality TV producer who was on my team that day, watched my videos and passed them on to Adam Mehl (my manager) and the next day, we were having lunch talking business and paper. After two years of hustling, I signed my record deal with STRZ and four months later, I was in LA.

How would you describe your music to those that are not as familiar with you and your sound?

I would describe my sound as indie-pop. The music is fresh, with grass root vibes and all of my songs tell a story.

What did you learn between collaborations and playing live, that you felt you wanted to infuse into your current release?

Through collaborating and gigging in different places, I picked up on the start of my own self-realization. Meaning, after four years of searching, trying different sounds and different looks, I found it easy to get lost. And sometimes, you gotta take a couple steps back to move a step ahead. That’s how I found myself.

Your latest single “Wildfire” was the iTunes free download of the week and clocked in 98,000 downloads and counting! The song also appeared at the top of the iTunes “Hot Tracks” chart and recently made its debut on KIIS-FM. What was the inspiration for “Wildfire”?

The lyrics say it all, “You can knock me down to my knees / But I’ll burn even higher / I’m a Wildfire.”

This song is about my journey as an artist. This business is molded by the opinions of people who know the formula to “break you as the next big thing” and after hearing one too many, it’s easy to be confused about your own artistic identity. But I’ve learned when it’s time to push the mute button on other’s opinions and listen to myself. It’s really been liberating.

Who have been your musical inspirations growing up?

It’s quite the variety, but I was initially inspired by music that my parents, mostly my mother, loved—anything from The Temptations to Cher to The Jackson 5 to the whole Motown shtick. My more current inspirations include anyone from The Beatles to Foster The People. I love the indie-alternative world.

You have worked with some pretty talented Grammy award winning writers and producers such as Toby Gad, Jim Jonsin and David Hodges to name a few. How was that experience been working with all those talents? How do you capture inspiration as it comes to you?

I truly feel like one of the luckiest artists out there. Swapping ideas back and forth with such powerhouses in this industry is completely surreal. I capture the inspiration by putting my ideas down on paper as they come, so I don’t miss a single story to sing about.

Do you remember the first song you fell in love with and why? How about the first album you ever purchased for yourself?

The first song I ever fell in love with was “The Scientist” by Coldplay. The music, the melodies, and most importantly, the words tugged on certain parts of my heart I had no idea even existed. The first album I recall purchasing was Up! by Shania Twain.

Who is in your current playlist? What artists or bands are in current rotation for you?

White Arrows, Zella Day, The Dig, Avid Dancer, and Alessia Cara!

What’s on tap next for you? What are you most excited about for this year?

I have about five or six songs already recorded and I’m constantly working on more to hopefully release this year. Until then, I’ll keep ya posted. 🙂

To learn more about BEAN , visit here HERE .