Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Danielle Bradbery

Country superstar Danielle Bradbery has continued to grow and evolve as an artist since becoming the youngest artist—and first country artist—to win The Voice in Season 4. Over the years, she’s become enamored by songwriting, creating lyrics that radiate and resonate with authenticity and honesty. Her latest, “Never Have I Ever,” is the perfect summer jam about falling head over heels for that special someone. Pop Culturalist caught up with Danielle to chat about her new release.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Danielle: I’ve always loved music. I’ve always had a passion for it. I’ve always been a shy girl. A long time ago, you wouldn’t find me on the stage or anything like that. But there was something about singing that became kind of my therapy. I would come home from school, run up to my room, and sing as long as I could. But in front of people, for some reason, I had such a hard time. When I got a little older, around fifteen or sixteen, my mom said, “I feel bad. I haven’t put you in anything. We’re going to go try out for The Voice.” At first, I freaked out. I was like, “How am I even going to do that?” We drove to Dallas, Texas, from my hometown. We tried out, and I kept going and ended up winning the whole thing. It’s been an amazing whirlwind. I’ve just always had a love for singing my heart out. It’s been a crazy, amazing journey.

PC: Speaking of The Voice, you were thrown into the limelight at sixteen. When you look back at the last couple of years, what’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned on this journey?
Danielle: The Voice was a huge stepping-stone for me. I had no experience in this industry. I like to call it my boot camp into the industry. It set me up for what I would be getting myself into. It was a huge help. It helped me get out of my shell a lot. Blake Shelton (my coach) helped me be more confident with everything. I truly feel from day one until the end of The Voice, I gained so much confidence.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Danielle: That’s a hard one. A lot of artists inspire me. I’ve always looked up to Carrie Underwood, even before I got into this industry. She’s such a powerhouse woman. She paved the way for women in country music. I love and have always wanted to follow in her footsteps. She’s one of my inspirations. Outside of the industry, my family has been such a huge support system through all of this—also any time that I step on stage. That’s a huge moment for me and my career overall. I learn something every single day, and my fans are amazing! It’s hard to choose.

PC: You’ve experienced a lot of success already in your young career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Danielle: I know as soon as we’re done with this interview it’s going to pop in my head. Getting into songwriting for the first time was a huge moment for me. I never wrote songs before, and I didn’t even know how to even start. My management at the time was like, “Just try it. If you don’t like it, we can never look at it again. If you have some traction, let’s work on it.” I agreed and I got in this room with these unbelievable writers in Nashville. They’ve written so many hits, and that pushed me out of my comfort zone.

Ever since then, I’ve gotten to be part of writing the songs on my albums. I’ve gotten to connect and find my voice and sound. If I hadn’t gone into songwriting, I don’t feel I would be the same artist. So I’m really thankful that I got influenced to do that.

PC: After you released your debut LP, you took time to rediscover yourself as an artist. How scary was that decision to take that pause and hiatus?
Danielle: It was very important. That big pause between albums was important, but at the time I didn’t understand it. I was frustrated. I wanted to get something out. I would see my fans’ responses every single day on social media. At the moment, you’re not thinking, “Okay, well, I need this.” So now when I look back, I’m like, “If I didn’t have that, things would be very different.” I had time to sit down with myself and learn who I was, grow, and find my voice. Like I was saying earlier, I got into songwriting pretty heavily. That was a huge learning point in my career, and I really needed it.

PC: Tell us about your new single, “Never Have I Ever.” What inspired the song?
Danielle: I cowrote “Never Have I Ever” with two amazing writers here in Nashville: Laura Veltz and David Hodges. Whenever I get into a room, I learn something new. I’m not a pro writer, but I came in with my story and wanted to be as honest as possible. That’s what I did in this session. Laura had the title “Never Have I Ever,” and I was like, “That’s super cool. I’m so interested to see where we go with this!” I always try to be as honest as possible and talk about real feelings. This song is about getting in a relationship or meeting somebody that has never made you feel that way before. You’re falling head over heels.

You’re like, “What’s happening to me?” That’s where the “never have I ever” comes in. I feel a lot of people can relate to this. It’s something that anybody can listen to and relate to. That’s been my goal: for people to listen to it and sing it with confidence.

PC: Each body of work that you release has been a statement of your growth as an artist. What do you hope to say with this next set of songs that you have coming out?
Danielle: “Never Have I Ever” is hopefully the first release of what we hope is another project. I feel a lot braver, sonically. Throughout this new project, there’s going to be a lot of that. I’m going to have my country roots. That will never go away. I’m going to continue to be honest and vulnerable with my lyrics.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Danielle: Ariana Grande has been a huge influence, vocally. I love singing her songs and pushing myself. Her music is so beautiful, and I love how she handles things. I follow her on Instagram, and she’s inspiring. It makes me want to do more things and bigger things in my own way.

PC: First album you bought?
Danielle: Carrie Underwood’s first album.

PC: First concert you attended?
Danielle: This one everybody is so shocked about! My first concert ever was at the Houston Rodeo and it was Billy Gilman. I was his biggest fan. I was this little Danielle screaming at the top of my lungs.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Danielle: I went back and forth with Carrie Underwood albums. That’s what I mainly listened to. As I started watching singing shows, I listened to Lauren Alaina’s first album. That’s so crazy. I even told her, and she was like, “Wait. Seriously?” Her album was the one that set the tone for me wanting to be a singer and wanting to do this. So I’ll say Lauren Alaina.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Danielle: The Houston Rodeo.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Danielle: My vitamins and supplements.

To keep up with Danielle, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify. Pick up or stream “Never Have I Ever” today.

Photo Credit: Peter Zavadil