Country singer-songwriter Savannah Rae hails from San Antonio, Texas. The vocalist has toured and has been a backup singer for Demi Lavato as well as others. Savannah Rae’s releases have seen over a million views and climbing. Newest release TYPICAL TEXAS GIRL is out now on all platforms. 1 In Music met the artist behind the release to get some insight into her music life and even some tips on performance prep!
1 In Music: Country music has been around for a long time. What do you feel you bring to it that is unique?
Savannah Rae [SR]: I feel that I bring a new sound to country music. It’s a mix of that Texas red dirt and edgy country rock, with some modern sounds and production.
1 In Music: What or who help shape your music so?
SR: I have to credit my mom and dad for fostering my love and appreciation for music. They started taking me to concerts at a very young age and I absolutely fell in love with the art. I decided at an Evanescence concert when I was 11, that I wanted to be just like Amy Lee and do music. My parents took me seriously when I said that, and they enrolled me into vocal and guitar lessons and the rest is history! They grew me up on everything from Country, Rock, Pop, R&B, Rap, Jazz, all the way to 15th century lute music. While I’m a lover of all music, I have to say that Country and Rock have always had my heart and that is what I have gravitated towards throughout my career.
1 In Music: What music are you listen to at the moment?
SR: I listen to everything but I would say I am constantly playing Country and Rock. Some of my favorite artists are the king George Strait, Koe Wetzel, Miranda Lambert, Cody Johnson, Motley Crue and Def Leppard.
1 In Music: In the midst of all that and other music you listen to, which artists would you say are the most undervalued?
SR: There are so many artists that deserve to be bigger than they are. Even though Koe Wetzel is up there, I still think he is revolutionizing Texas country music, red dirt, and even rock scenes, and deserves more recognition for it. I would also add Pecos and The Rooftops, Giovannie and the Hired Guns, Kolby Cooper, Huser Brother Band, Dylan Wheeler, and Jackson Dean. They are absolutely killing it lately!
1 In Music: At what point did you realise that music could be your profession?
SR: As mentioned before, I decided I wanted to give music a shot after seeing Amy Lee and Evanescence. However, it wasn’t until after enrolling in a music academy called Rockstar Academy by Grammy winning Michael Morales, that I realized this could be my career. After performing on stage for the first time, I absolutely fell in love with everything about it and decided this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
1 In Music: How do you prepare for your performances?
SR: Practice. Practice is the BEST way to be prepared for a performance. One of my old choir teachers always taught me that practice does not make perfect, it makes permanent and I have always lived by that! In addition to being properly rehearsed, I have a few checklist items before a performance. I always warm up my voice and make sure to drink a lot of water or tea before. I suffer from allergies quite often, so I check to see how dry my throat is and will use any sort of spray, lozenge, or potato chips (funny hack but it works) to add some moisture back in! After that, I just get into the mindset of “have fun”. I always listen to some upbeat music before and get myself pumped up so I can have a blast on stage!
1 In Music: What do you do when you don’t do music (creative or otherwise) and that you are passionate about?
SR: : I am very into photography, collecting antiques, DIY-ing furniture and clothes, fishing, riding horses, and anything outside!
1 In Music: Success to you is…?:
SR: Besides the obvious bucket list items and attaining goals that I have set out for myself, success in music means to me the simple term of connection. I hope to put out music that people connect to. Somebody may have no idea who I am, but if they hear a song of mine and somehow connect to it and it resonates with them, that means more to me than any amount of streaming numbers or instagram followers. To truly have somebody enjoy a song is priceless!
1 In Music: What do you wish you were told when you started out and that you think would help anyone who starts out?
SR: : The music industry is very cutthroat and you have to have a thick skin. Not everybody has your best interests at heart and often want to take advantage of you. Keep your circle small with the people who you are certain support you and who are your champions. Always stay true to yourself and the music that you want to create. Don’t let people sway you into becoming something you are not. Authenticity is key and your audience, and even yourself, will love you that much more for it!
1 In Music: Savannah Rae, many thanks for joining us. Before we leave, could you tell us about your upcoming release and where to find out more about you and your music?
SR: I am currently recording and working in the studio on many songs that I hope to be out before the end of the year! I can’t say too much about it, but I am so proud of this project and the direction I am going musically. It will be the most “me” music I have put out.
Speaking of authenticity, I just released a new single called “Typical Texas Girl“. This song means a lot to me being from Texas and poking fun at the stereotypes us Texas girls get thrown. It was such a fun project that I had the pleasure of writing with Pam Tillis, Britton Cameron, and Jesse Isley. It’s unlike anything I have put out and we really captured that edgy country sound I have been looking for! You can find it on all the streaming platforms.