Brenn! on Alabama accents, emotional songwriting and why discovering faith should never feel like pressure

Written by Lauren Page | @LiveWithLP

Brenn! backstage at State Fayre in Essex with LiveWithLP

Fresh from stepping off stage at State Fayre in Essex, Brenn! was all smiles after bringing his blend of heartfelt songwriting to a growing UK audience. While plenty of American artists speak about wanting to crack Europe, he's already ticking countries off at an impressive rate.

"We're going to Paris, Dublin, Cologne, Amsterdam.." he grinned, before laughing at the assumptions that usually come with mentioning the Dutch capital. "Not in the way people think. I'll be watching everyone roller skate and wishing I was doing that."

It's a hectic schedule, but one he's clearly relishes. With performances stretching across the UK and mainland Europe, I was keen to know whether British crowds really are as wild as artists often claim.

As it turns out, it's impossible to stereotype.

"A lot of people don't know who I am over here yet," he admitted honestly. "Concert culture is just different everywhere."

Rather than comparing America to Europe, Brenn! explained that every corner of the US has its own personality.

"You go to the South and everyone's dancing and drunk. Then you go up North and they're just standing there. California, everyone's trying to network. Texas? Everybody's rowdy."

Personally, I'll take Texas.

"I want a pint in my hand and someone telling me I'm dancing too much," I laughed. "That's exactly what festivals are for."

Luckily, Brenn!'s State Fayre set gave fans every excuse to do just that. Despite temperatures climbing throughout the afternoon, he looked completely comfortable on stage.

Although, according to him, Essex was nothing compared to home.

"My first festival was down by the ocean in Alabama," he recalled. "It was this hot, but every time you breathed in you could taste the salt in the air. You were basically getting electrolytes while also getting dehydrated."

The festival run comes just weeks after the release of his latest album - a record that feels like a huge step forward creatively. While many artists spend months celebrating a release, Brenn! confessed he barely gave himself time to stop.

"I worked so hard on the album, I forgot it came out," he laughed. "I just put it out there and didn't really look back. Fans wanted new music, so..here you go."

It's an album that feels incredibly cohesive, confidently cementing the sound he's carving out for himself. Hearing those songs performed live only adds another dimension to the stories behind them.

Surprisingly though, one of the record's strongest moments almost disappeared altogether.

"'Like You Do Now' nearly didn't make the album," he revealed.

Thankfully, one text message changed everything.

"My best friend, More, texted me saying he and his girlfriend were crying to it in the car."

That was enough to convince Brenn! it deserved its place.

"I thought... alright, I'll put it on there."

Considering how naturally the song sits within the album, it's hard to imagine the project without it.

Our conversation then drifted towards the people who had heard the album before it was released, and Brenn! didn't hesitate with his answer.

"My ex."

Given the emotional weight running throughout the record, it wasn't exactly the response I was expecting - but it certainly made sense. After all, many of those songs were inspired by that relationship. Thankfully, there doesn't seem to be any lingering bitterness.

"I'm chilling," he smiled simply. What a gem.

One of the nicest surprises of our chat came when the conversation shifted away from music entirely. Having recently started exploring my own faith, I asked Brenn! if he had any advice for someone only just beginning that journey.

"If we're talking about the same faith," he said, "just seek the Lord with all your heart. He'll honour that to the fullest extent."

It was thoughtful advice, but it was what he said next that really stuck with me.

"It's not something that should take a lot of pressure. That's actually the whole point of it - to take the pressure off."

For anyone beginning to explore faith themselves, it was an incredibly comforting perspective. Brenn! also recommended Housefires and Upper Room as two of the worship artists who have helped shape his own journey, encouraging new listeners to simply take things one step at a time.

Before wrapping up, I asked the question I put to every artist I interview: if listeners leave this conversation with one new recommendation, who should it be?

Without hesitation, Brenn! shouted out his friend More, revealing he has unreleased songs "I wish I'd written myself," before also recommending alt-pop favourite Sombr.

If his own record is anything to go by, that's a recommendation worth taking seriously.

Between the dry humour, honest storytelling and genuine kindness, it's easy to see why Brenn! continues to build such a loyal fanbase. He may joke that he's "just your average guy from Alabama" - before immediately insisting he's actually the exception - but that's exactly what makes him so refreshing.

There's no ego, no carefully rehearsed answers and no trying to be anything other than himself. Just honest conversations, great songs and an artist who's only just beginning to introduce himself to audiences on this side of the Atlantic. Judging by the reception at State Fayre, it won't be long before a lot more people know exactly who Brenn! is.

Brenn! AMATEUR AT BEST is out now