Today we’d like to introduce you to BreAnna.
Born in the old hit recording capital of the world Muscle Shoals, AL and raised where we laissez les bon temps rouler in Baton Rouge, LA; BreAnna’s velvety tone and lyrical stylings mirror her southern, R&B driven, Pop Princess aesthetic.
Similar to many artists from the south, BreAnna found her voice in church. Her heavy gospel background helped elevate her vocal agility, sparking her interest in a variety of genres. Around the age of five, BreAnna began competing in the modeling and beauty pageant circuit. She fell in love with being on stage and soon mastered the art of captivating a crowd. BreAnna started songwriting soon after and developed an ear for guitar and piano. Her parents, taking notice, enrolled her in musical theatre and dance programs turning her into a force.
By the time BreAnna reached her senior year of college at Northwestern State University–she had recorded an EP with her successful pop/indie band (Kopacetic) that frequently toured Louisiana, she had received 3 Pageant titles (Miss Northwestern State University’s Lady of the Bracelet, Miss Natchitoches, and Miss Greater Baton Rouge) and competed for the title of Miss Louisiana, receiving 3rd runner up at state level.
After graduation, BreAnna traveled the world as a cruise-ship vocalist and was afforded the opportunity to perform in over 40 countries, in front of houses of audiences, in theatres that rival Broadway. After spending as much time as she could on the ocean, BreAnna found the courage to pack up her cowgirl boots and move to the Big Apple — where she studied dance, performed at historic theatres around NYC, and learned that she’d rather be in California making music.
BreAnna is currently spending her days in Los Angeles, CA making music.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
They say trauma builds character right? I’m not sure, but it’s definitely helped me build a rep of songs! The life of an artist is already very difficult, but for those of us who don’t find our place in the Industry right away or within a couple of years- it becomes a constant cycle of ‘what ifs’ and ‘when will it happen for me’. Having such a strong musical theatre background really shaped my consistency and superhuman work ethic however, it made me second guess my favorite and questionably best parts of my voice. While living in New York, I had a very healthy audition schedule while maintaining three jobs: A wedding caterer, A front desk receptionist in Hudson Yards, and a Wine and Snack vendor for five different Broadway Theatres. The receptionist job was flexible enough to attend callbacks during the day while I worked for the catering company on the weekends and the vending job every other night. Snack vending at the Broadway theatres had its pros and cons…but the cons most definitely outweighed the pros.
Besides getting into the best shape of my life after walking up and down flight after flight, carrying 50lbs of overpriced snacks and wine on my back (in an edition to getting knocked over a couple of times) I was grateful I got to see the shows for free, and really got to study what true consistency looked like. 37 auditions and 42 callbacks later, I decided to take a moment a redirect MY Focus. I moved back home, where my parents now reside in Bossier City, Louisiana, got a job at a local casino to save up for a car, started focusing on improving my musicianship, and making a plan to move to Los Angeles. I’m sure we can all write a novel about how Covid has affected and changed everyone’s lives, but through all the bad I’m incredibly thankful for the time I was given to not only work on music but to work on myself. Then sweet summer of 2020, I purchased a cute cherry red Honda, booked a one way to California, and was more than determined to make my dream happen.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
‘Epiphany’ started as a moment and turned itself into a movement. The single Epiphany (I ain’t trippin’) was released on February 7th, 2020 right before the global shut down. Throughout this difficult and collectively confusing time for most of us, Epiphany kind of became my very own self-proclaimed anthem and it evolved into what became more than just a Mixtape, but a reminder of what my true passion is; simply creating great and relatable art that I love. I recorded all seven of these tracks from my bedroom closet and took these lyrics right out of the pages of my journal.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
The Epiphany mixtape is Available on AudioMack, Soundcloud, YouTube, and for free download on my website!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: thebreannalashawn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breezy_anna/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BreAnnaOfficial
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LouBreezyAnna
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2fQJXXXlWieJFW3hpAr2Fw
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/itzbreanna/sets/epiphany
