Music Interview: Cole Bradley

I love country music and so you know, I’m all about finding the latest up-and-comers in the country music scene. Cole Bradley hails from Nashville but is originally from Canada! How rad! I got to chat with Coly Bradley about what got him into music, his new song “Happy Hour”, and more.

TYF: What initially drew you to country music?
Cole Bradley: Honest storytelling. I love how artists in this genre share how they feel through their music. It’s that vulnerability that I’ve admired since day one.

TYF: Who are some of your musical inspirations?
Bradley: Kenny Chesney, Garth Brooks, and U2. These three acts can captivate an audience unlike any other with both live performances and their music.

TYF: What makes your country music stand out from the rest?
Bradley: I mentioned this earlier but it’s all about honesty. I believe country music makes people “feel something” and allows a person to either forget about their problems or face up to them. I know it’s cliché but there is nothing better than “three chords and the truth.”

TYF: I read that you moved from Canada to Nashville! What a big change! What made you want to do the big move?
Bradley: Nashville is the place to be if you want to pursue a career in country music. The best of the best live in ‘Music City’. I was 18 when I moved to Nashville and I figured I better move down here while I’m still young. I never wanted to be that guy who on his deathbed thought “I never took the chance,” so, here I am!

TYF: Have you had any “culture shock” moments since moving to the U.S?
Bradley: To be honest, nothing too crazy! But I have loved learning about the traditions and values that make the South so special. Family, food, faith, and football!

TYF: What are some of your favorite things about Nashville?
Bradley: The people, the food, the weather are just a few things that I love about this city! I also love how collaborative the music scene is and how everyone wants to help one another- It’s super cool.

TYF: What’s the Nashville music scene like? Is there majority country artists or a good mix?
Bradley: The scene is awesome. Everyone wants to help one another and there is SO much talent. There aren’t only country artists- there are tons of Folk, Pop, Rock, Americana artists. That’s the beauty of it all and why Nashville is known as ‘Music City’!

TYF: You just released your new song, “Happy Hour.” Can you tell us what the song is about?
Bradley: It is SO fun! My fellow co-writers and I had an absolute blast writing the track. It’s truly a party anthem and the kind of song country music fans can blast on their speakers and have a few drinks too! We weren’t afraid to do some unique things with the production with the funky bass lick and groovy chorus and I think that’s why people are so drawn to the track – it’s not your everyday radio track!

TYF: What is your writing process like?
Bradley: For me, it’s all about where I can find inspiration. This song was crazy because we sat in the writing room for two hours and we didn’t have an idea! It was one of those sessions we thought was going to be a “write off” until I found a note in my phone that said, “Power Hour.” From there, we came up with the idea “Happy Hour” and the song was written in the next 20 minutes! It all cycles back to the idea of inspiration – once you find it, a song is born!

TYF: You just played a few shows recently. What is your favorite part about being on stage?
Bradley: My favorite part is sharing my stories (songs) with new people. My hope is that my songs are relatable to those listening and if they are, it’s the greatest feeling an artist can have. I love making new fans and meeting new people – it’ why I do what I do!

TYF: Any songs you like to listen to that pump you up before getting on stage?
Bradley: I love this question! I’d have to say “Old Thing Back” by Notorious B.I.G. is one that gets my band and I going as well as anything by Drake (Canadian plug, haha). Of course, “Callin Baton Rouge” by Garth and Kenny’s “Keg in The Closet” are two country hits that are on the pump-up playlist!

TYF: For our readers who want to get into music but have stage fright, what would you say is the best remedy to get over it?
Bradley: A mentor of mine once told me “You are the best at what YOU do” and that always stuck with me! With that in mind, I go up on stage and give it all I got because I know that “no one can do Cole Bradley like Cole Bradley.” This may seem silly, but the moral of the story is that you just have to be confident in what you can bring to the table and from there, nothing else matters!

TYF: Lastly, what advice do you have for our readers who also want to one day become a musician?
Bradley: A mentor once told me “Take care of the music and the music will take care of you!” It’s easy for an artist to get lost in the business side of things and forget about the music – but if you focus on the music, I believe the rest of this stuff will sort itself out.