Breanna Lynn Talks Her New Album, Catching Fire, and Her Inspirations

Singer and songwriter Breanna Lynn recently sat down with BSCkids to talk about her new self titled album that was released on iTunes on March 18th. She spoke with us about her inspirations, her single “Catching Fire” and her activism against bullying. 

Breanna Lynn is a charming and beautifully talented singer who is taking YouTube by storm as well as the music industry.  It is this rarely found unique talent that has allowed her coveted opportunities to work with some of the most well-respected and well-known names in music. She is also a gifted guitar player since first picking up the instrument at age 9. Not only does she amaze audiences on stage but she also is a strong advocate of The Pacer Organization (Teens Against Bullying). For the new album, Breanna teamed with highly credited producers like Ken Caillat (Colbie Caillat, Fleetwood Mac), Keith Follese (Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Randy Travis), and artist Jamie O’Neil. She was also credited and featured in ’Dorothy of OZ’, directed by Will Finn and Dan St. Pierre, scheduled to be release August 3rd, 2012 via Summertime Entertainment.

BSCKIDS: Breanna Lynn

How long have you been known you wanted to be a singer?

I have been a singer all my life. When I was two, my Aunt, who was a well-known opera singer at the time, would sing a note and I would copy her on pitch. At the age of 12 I started writing my own music. But I think I wasn’t serious about music until the age of 14 when I started pursuing it as a career!

Tell us about why you wrote the song “Catching Fire” based on the novel by Suzanne Collins?

Honestly it was the weirdest thing! I was in my room one night, feeling creative but not knowing what to write about. I remember looking up at my bookshelf and seeing Suzanne Collins book Catching Fire, and I thought to myself, “Hey that would be a great song!” Next thing I knew, I had written the song Catching Fire!

You have also released an album on iTunes, do the songs on the album all have a theme or are they mostly standalone singles?

I would say that most of them are stand alone singles! All the songs on that album I wrote between the ages of 13 to 16, so I think they all portray a sort of innocence that I guess you could call the theme of the album. Well, all of them except for I Told You So. That one is pretty deep and sad!

What is your song writing process?

I’ve had many people ask me this question and the only real thing I can tell them is it just happens! I could be in the middle of a conversation, doing school, or even sleeping, and a song idea comes to me and wakes me up! At that point I have to write it down, and usually the song is done in an hour or two.

Who do you find the most inspirational?

I find a lot of people inspirational, but I think the single person that I look up to the most would have to be Beyoncé. She is such a strong, talented and independent woman who really made a mark on this world, as well as has shown people that women are currently becoming the leaders of a world that used to be predominantly run my men. She is someone, as an artist and as a woman, I aspire to be like.

Growing up, what musicians did you listen to the most?

I had a little bit of an old taste growing up! While other people were listening to Britney Spears, I was listening to the Rat Pack, REO Speedwagon, Queen, and Supertramp! I think listening to each of these bands’ incredible writing technique has helped me become a better writer myself.

If you could perform with anyone who would it be?

Oh gosh there are so many people! I would truly be honored to perform with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, to of my idols from Fleetwood Mac! I would also love to do a duet with Hunter Hayes, and possibly rock the dance floor with Beyoncé! (Ok no I’m totally kidding, I cannot dance. But I’d love to sing with her!)

How supportive has your friends and family been about your career choice?

My family has been so incredible! They moved my three brothers and I to California to allow me to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, something that very few families do. They have believed in me from the start, something I could never thank them enough for. As for my friends, I lost some of them along the way, but my true friends stuck with me through the ups and downs and have been my moral support the whole time!

What has been the hardest obstacle in your career that you have overcome?

I think when things were going really slowly and nothing seemed to be going right, that was the hardest time for me. There was nothing I could do but wait, and I am not a patient person! But all I did was kept going, kept working on my craft, as I continue to do today, and I got through it!

You support The Pacer Organization (Teens Against Bullying), why do you think this is such a prevalent issue and what can kids and teens do, in your opinion, to stop the vicious cycle?  

This is an EXTREMELY prevalent and important issue to cover because it is taking over our schools around the world by the thousands. Kids are committing suicide or self-harming, and many people grow self conscious because of what people say. I think what people in these situations have to remember is that nothing the bullies say define who you are as a person. Cause face it, if they truly knew you, they would crazy love you! Believe in yourself, and remember that their words are just a reflection of their own insecurities. We need to change the definition of what cool is, and I believe if we all work towards that goal, we can make it happen!