Briana Adams Gives Fans a Piece of Herself with “Dive Bars & Old Guitars” EP

When the first notes and words of the first song on Briana Adams’ sophomore EP ring through your speakers, your attention is immediately grabbed.

As you maneuver your way through the five-song release, you feel that you have taken a piece of Adams away with you; you know she meant and has lived every word she sang.

The EP, appropriately titled “Dive Bars & Old Guitars,” shows Adams’ a great level of maturation from her debut release, “Bring Me Home to You,” and will leave fans eager to start the EP’s journey over again.

As she prepares to release new music, hear from Adams about when she know she wanted to make music for a living, some of the songs on “Dive Bars & Old Guitars,” what she hopes people take away from the EP, and more!

Pro Country: Who were your biggest musical influences growing up?

Briana Adams: I grew up listening to mostly country and classic rock, so naturally, some of my biggest influences are Johnny Cash, Janis Joplin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Waylon, Willie, Gary Stewart, and Creedence Clearwater Revival, just to name a few… there’s too many to list!

PC: Was there a specific moment you knew you wanted to make music for a living?

BA: I’ve had a passion for music for as long as I can remember. Though they don’t play or sing, my parents are big music lovers. They would go see local bands and bring me along. Most other kids were running around doing what kids do, but I was always glued to the band. I remember sitting there and thinking to myself, “I want to do that!” It always looked like they were having so much fun. Who wouldn’t want to do that?! LOL! My parents obviously took note of my interest in it and bought me several instruments over the years, but I never took it seriously until I turned 13. I picked up the guitar, seriously, for the the first time. I haven’t looked back since.

PC: Were you feeling any type of pressure, internally or externally, as you were preparing to release music for the first time with your “Bring Me Home to You” album?

BA: Pressure? I would have to say no. More like pure excitement! Finally, I would have an album out! I just felt like I was moving to the next level. I had been playing live shows for about 4 years before I got in the studio to do “Bring Me Home to You,” so I was excited to have some merch on the table and to be able to send folks home with my original tunes.

PC: “Gone” from the “Dive Bars & Old Guitars” EP has gotten a great response from listeners. What do you think it is about that song that struck a chord with people the way it has?

BA: I wrote this song because it was a way for me to cope with the decision I made to move on from a person who couldn’t decide if he was gonna “go or get off the pot,” as they say. I had just wasted so much time on someone that obviously, didn’t feel the same way I did. I was just being used. Personally, I think the reason the song did so well is because it’s relateable. At some point in most people’s lives, they encounter that type of feeling. It’s a crappy feeling, but hey, I guess it’s makes for a good, angsty country song! LOL!

PC: “The Bars (From This Ol’ Guitar)” sounds like your personal love letter to music and artistry. What has been your favorite part of the ride so far?

BA: My favorite part of it all is how music brings people together! It’s a universal language. I’ve seen some beautiful places and I’ve met so many wonderful people because of my musical journey. It’s just an added bonus to getting to do what I love!

PC: “Missing You” is one of the standout tracks on “Dive Bars & Old Guitars.” Can you talk a bit about the inspiration behind that song? Why did you decide to record it mostly acoustic?

BA: “Missing You” is a song that I wrote in memory of a friend that passed away a few years back. It was strange, because when I started the song, I wasn’t planning on writing about him, that’s just what came out. I had a totally different direction I wanted to take the song, but it turned into so much more. It’s different than any other song I’ve ever written. The feelings I get when I sing this song can be overwhelming sometimes, and most folks get that. We’ve all lost someone that we love. That being said, that’s why it had to be stripped down, musically speaking. The song would’ve lost its emotional appeal if it was done with full production.

PC: What do you hope people take away after listening to the “Dive Bars & Old Guitars” EP all the way through?

BA: This EP is me. I write songs about what I know. I don’t have a whole lot of sand under my feet yet, but I’m working on it!

All I hope for, and what I think any artist hopes for, is after listening to the music, you feel like you know that person. And that person is someone you would want to be friends with!

PC: Where do you sense that you’ve grown most between the releases of “Bring Me Home to You” and “Dive Bars & Old Guitars”?

BA: I think the most noticeable thing is my voice. My voice has definitely changed and matured since the release of “Bring Me Home to You.”

PC: You’ve opened for major artists such as the Randy Rogers Band, Charlie Robison, and Jason Boland, among others. What can you take away from those experiences that can help you in your own career?

BA: Be yourself! That’s what I’ve learned from all of guys and gals I’ve opened for over the years. People don’t like phony, and they know when someone is being phony. That’s what all of those folks have in common. They’re real, they’re themselves, and that’s what matters.

PC: What are your plans for 2019?

BA: NEW MUSIC! I have lots of new material, so the plan is to get some of that released as soon as I can. No dates set as of now, but there will be new music this year!