Artist Spotlight: Braden Drake
Meet the psychedelic indie artist from Springfield, Tennessee
Hi Pal,
Welcome to Artist/Band Spotlight. This is a newsletter where I have short introductory conversations with artists and bands on the Christian music scene.
Bio: Hi, I’m Braden Drake. I live in Springfield Tennessee (a town outside of Nashville). I’m 20 years old and I’m married to my beautiful wife Amy. I work in an electrical warehouse in Nashville currently, then when I get time for it, I spend my time working and crafting songs that come deep within my heart. I’d say In the 3 years passed of making music independently I’ve picked up instruments to make a transcription of what’s going on inside my heart. For the longest time, it was this way of just me trying to be this popular artist and for everyone to see that wow he’s pretty cool. But as I came to know Christ it turned into a very personal therapy, which helps me through my hardest battles. My music before Jesus was always about these fantasies or random thoughts that were meaningless. Jesus gave me a reason to sing and use the gift he gave.
Q: Hi, can you talk to us about your inspiration and motivation for creating music?
It would take me hours to express my art, and where my inspiration comes from in making music. Yet, a big part of this is from my older brothers. When I was little, I was always inspired by what they did with what they thought was cool, and my parents as well. Today, it is a lot more influenced by Jesus and what He has done for me. It’s really cool because it is a mix and fusion that has become what you hear now.
I would also say that creation serves as a big inspiration too. I like to go on walks and talk to the Lord, and just seeing all the different attention to details that God has done blows me away. It also inspires me to be say “Well, I want to be like that” — I want to go and make something that has so much detail that only I would know. There’s just something about knowing that God did and made me like that, and it amplifies me to go and do the same.
Q: How would you describe your sound and your creative process?
This is a hard question for me from a sound perspective. I’ve always had people tell me that my music sounds like it should be in a movie, or like a certain artist’s, or a specific song. Describing my sound is hard but in three words, I’d say honest, psychedelic and story-telling.
A lot of times, my creative process involves me getting on a computer, putting a drum beat that sounds so good to me, funky guitar sounds, or playing piano — putting something together that sounds really cool. Sometimes, this process looks like me taking a walk and battling my emotions and the world, which eventually becomes a song made out of desperation for God to help me. The drums, guitar and piano eventually follow after that. I really don’t know which one I prefer, but that’s what my creative process resembles most times.
Q: How has 2023 been for you so far musically and what can folks expect from you for the rest of the year?
Musically, 2023 has been a harder year for me, and one where I can focus on the community of other musicians with the same mission as myself. Although I haven’t made a lot of music this year, I have plans to make an album with five (5) songs from Even In The Darkest Night and five (5) more songs in the process. That would probably be out next year, 2024, and so, I can’t promise anything for the rest of this year.
2023 has been a year of reflection and learning, with more focus on why I make music and how I can make it more about Jesus.
Here are some final thoughts from Braden Drake:
Thanks to Braden Drake for taking the time to meet us.
Listen to Braden Drake here:
Apple Music • Deezer • Other Links
Connect with Braden Drake here:
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