Meet Aubrienne Davis

We were lucky to catch up with Aubrienne Davis recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Aubrienne, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I grew up in a strict religious household where the norm was to diminish all aspirations and authenticities. I experienced firsthand from a young age how bland life can become in absence of having dreams bigger than the bubble I had been raised in. For me, music was the one thing that I refused to let go of despite the judgement and discouragement from others. It was my safe space, and the dream of pursuing music professionally is what helped me to maintain hope and resilience. After turning 18, since my upbringing had been primarily centered around my parents’ religious beliefs, I had to teach myself how to be a functional adult in society. During that time I was preoccupied with deconstructing everything I had been taught and rebuilding who I wanted to be, so music slipped away from my priorities for over 4 years. When I was 22, I found myself in the midst of a crippling depressive episode where my existence felt meaningless. Until the day came that I decided I’d had had enough, and took a shot in the dark to revisit my dream of music that I kept tucked away in the back of my brain. Little did I know, that decision would be one of the most positively impactful ones I’ve ever made, and would project me into the world I yearned for my entire life. It led me to rediscover my true purpose, and I wouldn’t change a single thing it took to get there.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My name is Aubrienne, I am a 24 year old singer-songwriter from Portland, Oregon. Music has always been my sanctuary when life gets overwhelming. Whether I’m writing my own songs or listening to others, music brings me a sense of purpose that I hold onto dearly. I am the lead singer of a Portland-based pop punk band called Here’s to Hoping, made up of four forever emo kids who never lose hope of what incredible things could be right around the corner. We take inspiration from the early 2000’s pop punk scene and add a modern flare, from heartbreak bangers to anthems of optimism, our songs are ones that everyone can relate to. We are currently in the studio recording our debut single and EP which we’re planning to release spring of 2025! This project means so much to me and my bandmates as we’ve faced a lot of roadblocks along the way, and we are so excited to put a piece of ourselves out into the world for others to listen to and enjoy!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

For me, the qualities that have been most impactful on my journey thus far have been resilience, bravery, and acceptance. In any creative field, and in life in general, there’s always going to be unexpected circumstances or situations that cross your path. To have the capability to remain resilient in the face of uncertainty is so incredibly important and valuable. It helps me to keep in mind that I’ve overcame everything I swore I wouldn’t, so why would a future roadblock be any different? Bravery for me has been a challenging quality to grow and nourish, as some days are easier than others to put on that brave face and throw yourself and your art into the world. I struggle with anxiety and insecurities that often times overtake my mind and make it difficult to put my all into the things I want to. This one is still a battle for me, but I realize how crucial having bravery is for an aspiring artist. You can never achieve your dreams without taking those scary plunges into the unknown! Lastly, acceptance is the one that has slapped me in the face the most, and I couldn’t be more grateful for that. Realizing that not everything is going to go to plan and being able to accept it is so necessary to be a successful artist. Plans are going to fall through, projects are gonna take longer than expected, and people are going to let you down (including yourself). So being able to accept what is out of your control and keep pushing forward towards your goals is an attribute that any creative should strive to have.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

My bandmates, 1000%. Over the last year we have been through quite a few difficult situations and it’s been amazing to learn and grow together through it all. If I’m being honest I haven’t had many close friends in my life, so to have such incredible people to rely on and rock out with is a blessing I never take for granted. When I first started my career in music I was a solo artist and was fairly confident I wanted to keep it that way, but my viewpoint now has completely changed. It’s been so beneficial to have multiple minds coming together to bring our passions to life, whether that’s writing our songs, putting shows together, brainstorming merch ideas, or fantasizing about a future tour. I would have never been able to accomplish what we have if I had stayed a solo artist. My bandmates have broadened my mind so much about being a musician and life in general, and have shown a level of support that I always hoped I’d find someday. To know someone you care about has your back the same way you have theirs, is just the best feeling. So a huge shoutout to Chris, Isaac, and Kaden. I wouldn’t be able to accomplish any of this without you and I wouldn’t want to be on this wild ride with anyone else.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/aubriennemusic
• Other: Band Instagram: @herestohopingband
  TikTok: @aubriennemusic / @herestohopingband
  Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Image Credits

Jackson Hagin
Isabelle Quinn