We caught up with the Upcoming Nashville Songwriter Brendan Krake a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Brendan, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
I feel like a lot of artists that I meet have a specific structure or formula they use when they go to write a song and I think that works for a lot of people but I feel trapped if I start with anything like that. My best writing is done when it’s effortless, I’ll be sitting there eating a sandwich and a chorus will come to me. I seem to thrive in the chaos of just piecing things together and I think thats my greatest strength when it comes to creativity because I just kinda roll with it, whatever happens, happens and I don’t try to tamper with the flow of my natural creative process. Y’know, Why try to fix what isn’t broken?
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Well I’d like to start off by introducing myself, My name is Brendan Krake, I moved out here to Nashville about three years ago now to pursue my dream of being a singer. It’s been my dream to be a singer since I was a little kid. I tend to write Country/Folk music, but my Christian faith is a big part of who I am and why I write in the first place so I also dabble in writing Worship music. I have a bit of an odd story to how my sound came to be what it is, I moved Nashville writing and singing pop punk music and I intended to start an Alt. Rock band and get into the scene down here but fate had it that I ended up falling in love with Country music and I found that my heart resides in story telling and speaking not just what was popular but speaking the heartfelt truth. I’m primarily focused on just trying to help people through my music and influence, I really think music has an incredible power to uplift and heal and I want to be able to help people process life through my music. So many others have helped me in my life with their music and I pray that God willing I am able to do the same. Last year I released my debut single and a second single of which will be the first of my upcoming album. I decided this past year I had so many songs I wanted to share with the world and why not go big or go home, so I decided for my debut album I was just gonna release a bunch and make it a double album. I’m in the process of recording that all now and getting into the studio and hopefully If all goes according to plan Ill be able to release my next single later this Spring and the whole double album sometime this Fall. Until then I hope y’all enjoy the two songs I have out and can bare with me as I work to get more out to you. If you want to come see me play look for my name on posters around town I will be playing a bunch of writers rounds all year and hopefully some full band shows this summer!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think just being able to think for myself took me a long ways, there are so many talented people in this town and I think it’s important to be able to look honest at your craft and decide whether you’re being yourself or trying to copy someone else, and theres definitely room for taking inspiration from those who came before you I’m not knocking that, just trying to say that I think being able to be different and not feel out of place is a huge advantage. I also think I’ve always been good at thinking outside of the box and that has helped me when it comes to writing a lot because it really helps to be inventive when you get stuck in writers block. I also am very persistent and I think thats a very necessary trait as a songwriter because otherwise you’ll give up on a song that could’ve been great because you get stuck somewhere, and also as many have said before people are gonna tell you no a lot and you have to keep fighting until someone sees the vision and says yes. It’s a tough business and not for the faint of heart. I don’t think I am of any position or standing to be able to give anyone else advice but If I was to tell anyone anything I would probably say Just Be Original, be honest with yourself and embrace your differences, they might just be you greatest strength.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
I would not be where I am or who I am today without my Mom and my Dad. My Parents always told me they were proud of me, they loved me and that I could do whatever I wanted to in life if I worked hard for it. I think one of the most important things in life is family and I am so grateful that I was blessed with such an amazing one. They also raised me to know the Lord and thats just about the most important thing you can do for a kid.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrendankrake?igsh=MTdrdHdoZThpMTliZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@TheBrendanKrake?si=VBg6tAwI7yDlQJNB
- Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebrendankrake?_t=8j9cqpYNHmp&_r=1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/26219MMdlQU66IGpTo6hfs?si=mltOROfgRPqsPUESM6qLng
