Over the past year or so, we’ve gotten to know Brandi Behlen with her first two single “Daddy’s Money” and “Just a Little Crazy.” In our previous interviews, Behlen has talked about the EP she has been working on and has gotten us progressively more excited for its release.
Now, her self-titled EP is here, and it has lived up to the hype and then some, and people are taking notice. The EP charted in the top 50 on the iTunes country chart, and she is quickly approaching 1,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
With songs like the “Rodeo Man,” which is reminiscent of “I Can Still Make Cheyenne” from a female perspective, to songs like “The Back Row” which paints a story of heartbreak dripping in steel guitar and fiddle, Behlen delivered six outstanding tracks that won’t be getting old any time soon.
We caught up with Brandi to talk about the charting success of her EP, the stories behind some of the songs on it, what it was like to record with several award-winning musicians and more!
Pro Country: Your debut, self-titled EP was a long time in the making. What emotions were you feeling as release day came closer, and what is it like finally see it released?
Brandi Behlen: The initial feeling was relief because I’ve been wanting my fans to hear what I’ve been working on for so long. But also, there was excitement and anxiety; Excitement because this is new territory and anxiousness because I want it to do well.
PC: Your EP charted in the top 50 on the iTunes country chart. What does the support from your fans mean to you as you continue to achieve career milestones?
BB: Their support means everything because I know I couldn’t do it without them. I want to succeed for them as much as I want to succeed for myself.
PC: Of the six songs on your EP, you wrote two and cut four outside songs. How important was it for you when putting the EP together to go in with a “best song wins” mindset?
BB: Well, I didn’t really have a specific strategy going into it. I ended up going with what felt right to me and what I thought my fans would like.
PC: “Rodeo Man” is one of the standout tracks on your EP and is a song that you had a hand in writing. Can you talk about the inspiration behind that song?
BB: Thank you! Honestly, there aren’t many rodeo songs, especially from females, so I felt like there needed to be one that shows a female perspective.
PC: “The Back Row” is an outside cut and our favorite song on the EP. How did you hear that song and what drew you to record it?
BB: My producer sent it to me prior to recording in Nashville. It reminded me of George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today” which, is not only one of country’s greatest songs in my opinion, but also one of my favorites. I knew “The Back Row” was good when my producers turned out all the lights in the studio and lit their lighters. When they did that, I dug even deeper.
PC: You had several big name musicians perform on your EP, including Aubrie Haynie, J.T. Corenflos and Scotty Sanders. What was it like to be able to record with musicians of that caliber on your debut EP?
BB: First meeting them, I was in awe and nervous, but then after being around them, they were so down to earth and I felt comfortable. It was truly an honor to have these award winning musicians a part of this project.
PC: Do you have a favorite song on your EP? If so, why is it so special to you?
BB: “Daddy’s Money.” Not only because I wrote it, but because it did better than I expected. It really started it all for me.
PC: What do you hope listeners take away from your EP after listening all the way through?
BB: That they see me as who I am; that I’m an old soul who loves traditional country, but that I also have some versatility.
PC: Along with promoting your new EP, what are your plans for the rest of 2020?
BB: I’m also getting married this fall which is an exciting and busy time, but I really look forward to playing these new songs live for my fans and hopefully gain some new ones!
Pro Country 
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