It may seem hard to believe, but it’s been ten years since Danielle Bradbury won season four of The Voice as a 16-year-old.
Since then, she’s released three albums, collaborated with the likes of Parker McCollum, Thomas Rhett and Jordan Davis and performed all over the world – most recently being part of Nashville’s 2019 Country Music Week promotion. More recently, she’s been working on a new approach to her voice, including the sassy ‘Pull Up Your Boots’ and ‘A Special Place’ – co-written by Maren Morris and also the name of her recent US News Network tour.
We recently caught up with Danielle about her ‘Monster’ track, how she found life on the road, working with BRELAND on a reworked version of ‘Happy Song’ and more – including her plans to return to the UK…
It’s been two years since you last talked to us – what’s been going on for you since then?
Yes, many good things are happening. I’ve been working on a lot of new music and releasing new music. I was visiting. I did my first headlining tour, which was super fun. And we’ll continue to talk about it, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it continues there. I want to see you guys so bad, I want to go back. But yes, many good things, new music, touring. So it was good.
Speaking of new music, your latest single is ‘Monster’. So tell us a little more about that…
Yeah, so I’ve just released a song called ‘Monster’ which is about depression and mental health. I wrote this from a place in my heart. And he said, “I feel like a lot of people can relate, and I want them to relate. I want them to know they’re not alone.” And any mental health issue, it could be anything, and that’s the monster in the song. So I’m really excited to release it and I’m hoping that it’s going to come out and see everybody’s story and listen to what it means to the world and it means the world to them. So, yeah, it was great.
How have you found the fan response to the song so far?
It was truly incredible. You only have certain expectations, because you never know how people will react, but from what I see, hear and read, it’s been more than I could have imagined. I want this song to truly have the same impact on everyone as it did on my heart. And just reading everybody’s story and how it’s making them feel, and reading everybody’s story about their mental health journey and seeing that we’re all in this together. So, yes.
It’s obviously a very personal song in terms of the subject matter and things. Is that something that’s really important to you to talk about in your music and with your fans?
Yes, definitely. I think it is very important. I constantly preach about vulnerability, honesty, realism and all of the above. And posting things on social media that make my fans and everyone who comes to my page connect and feel familiar. Like the other day, I posted a picture of all my messes. I’m like, “This is real life, guys.” Like, I get horrible breakouts, and we all do. And I wanted to release something that was very important to me, related to the song. And I know it’s very important to everyone. So yes.
You mentioned you’re on the road and I know this is your first major tour – how did you find it?
Yes, it was great. As far as going out like I don’t believe – you know, sold-out shows, which is what an artist hopes for. My fans were seen singing every word to every song, which was what I was looking forward to on tour. I showed them singing the songs here and there, but when it was your tour, they sang every word from top to bottom, which was great to practice.
When you go out on tour with other people, do you realize you’ve put on a show for yourself?
Yes, good hospitality. I feel like thanking everyone on the road with you, and whoever opens for me just to make sure they’re good, they square off, their show is going well. I’ve always been on tours where the main topic means a lot to me. It’s something I try to carry over into my tour. And we hope the openers are welcome and have a great time. So yes.
Are there any songs you enjoyed playing live on this tour?
I got to play ‘Monster’ before it even came out. And before that I posted a clip of the chorus of the song on Instagram. And when I was singing in my show, I noticed that fans already knew the words to the chorus. And I was like, “That’s a great feeling” to find out that they were constantly listening to my Instagram posts just to learn the words. It’s commitment. And that means the world, and so I think ‘Monster’ is probably the top song I’m looking forward to singing on tour.
You also recently did a version of ‘Happy Song’ with Breland – tell us how that came about and what it was like working with him…
Yes, I have to record this version of Happy Song and I love Breland. He’s a great guy and one of the favorite vocalists in town. And, you know, I loved his whole story. And when they told me, “It’s going to be a dud,” I was like, “Heck, yeah, I’m excited.” He has become everything. It was great. And singing that song with him – I got to sing him BRELAND & FRIENDS at the Opry show. And I recently joined him at Stagecoach to sing the song. So it was a lot of fun. And doing it with someone you love and whose voice you love makes it that much more fun. So I’m very happy – no quote. I’m so glad they asked me to do it.
This is a big milestone for you because it’s been 10 years since you won ‘The Voice’ and five years since ‘I Can’t Believe We Met’. How do you feel your approach to your music and especially your writing has evolved over that time?
Man, it’s been a great ride so far. But you know, I feel like every month turns into a year. I am learning so much all the time. I am open to that. I’m always open to learning, never closed. It’s too selfish of me to think about everything so closely at this point. But, no matter how many things I’ve done, it’s been 10 years, five years since the last record, I’m constantly learning more about myself, my music and new things and the above. So we’re constantly evolving, and I’m excited for every step. We are always working on the next level and what the future holds. So it was a lot of fun.
Are there still things left on your bucket list – people you want to work with, places you want to perform, etc.?
Yes, there definitely is. There are a bunch of artists I want to sing with. Man, that list goes on, places I want to perform… I definitely want to get back there. I still feel like there are many things I want to do in your home. There are so many things here that I can’t be specific. [laughs]
I know you’ve had quite a few cover songs on tour and on your Instagram – so do you have a favorite song you’ve wanted to cover, and is there anyone you’d like to cover one of your songs at some point?
I have some favorites. On tour, I covered Justin Bieber’s ‘Baby’, which was awesome. It was one of those things that said to me, ‘No matter who you are, you’re going to sing along to this.’ It’s very interesting. And I cut his latest live performance just because he’s old and I’m big, and so we made it really fun and everybody had a lot of fun when that song came on. So I think that’s one of my favorites and then, being Justin Bieber, I mean, I want to do duets with him, shows, everything. I feel like there are a lot of artists.
And soon, that seems to be a check off the bucket list. ‘A Special Place’ was covered by Kelly Clarkson. And that was really, really good. And I had no idea this was happening. I even texted my team, and said, “Are you sure you all have nothing to do with this?” And they’re like, “Oh, she picks the songs she wants to sing.” So that was definitely a ticked off bucket list.
What does the rest of the year look like for you? I know you have some tour dates with Jordan Davis, so is touring your main focus at the moment?
He will definitely be one of the main focus areas. After we’ve been in and out of the studio recording new music, we’re hoping to put out an album with a lot of attention. So an album, a tour. And so many good and interesting things.
Will it definitely be an album? Or maybe an EP or something?
We are definitely talking about an album so we are working towards that. And hopefully that’s what we’re going to do with an album that’s going to be out loud, so we’re definitely working on it.
And finally – I know you’ve already mentioned this, but are you planning to return to the UK anytime soon?
I absolutely love it. We are definitely talking about our end of it. No specific date yet. But hey, they told me our way.
