Christina Brennan
Singer/Songwriter
Don’t Call Me Tina Music
Philadelphia, PA
“My ultimate goal is for my music to impact other people, the way other artists’ music impacts me. That’s success to me.” —Christina Brennan
Image by Rosie Simmons
Local Philly talent is unmatched. We have a wealth of talent in this city and are lucky enough to be part of a community who gets to share these artists with you.
This week, we have our eyes on Christina Brennan who is making major moves in the Philly music scene, was recently the featured artist at our newest sponsored event hello.SoundRoom (more details below).
Image by Rosie Simmons
Born and raised in the Philadelphia area, Christina has always had a passion for music. She first picked up a guitar at 6 years old, as a young girl who was constantly inspired by her big sister.
After earning her degree in Songwriting from Boston’s Berklee College of Music, Christina moved back to Philly to start her career.
“It took a few years of building connections to get to this point, but I am fortunate enough to be able to say that music is what I do all day, every day.”
Her blues/rock style cuts deep with her emotional storytelling tactics in her songwriting. And her voice…? Chill-worthy.
Image by Hunter Cohen
“I have artists that I aspire to sound like, for example, Grace Potter, Stevie Nicks, the Wilson sisters from Heart.
But, I find that I gravitate towards music that isn’t in my blues/rock style to get inspired. For example, Lana Del Ray ABBA, Glass Animals, Remi Wolf--all completely different writers and sounds, and I love finding little nuggets of musical ideas in all of them.”
Christina has spent the past several months producing her latest single "Falling In and Out of Love," which she co-wrote with producer Tommy Joyner of Milkboy Studios in Philadelphia.
“I love to write and perform, and it would mean everything to me seeing my music connect with other people. I rely on music so much in my life, whether it’s to feel better after a bad day or to get energized for a night out. My ultimate goal is for my music to impact other people, the way other artists’ music impacts me. That’s success to me.”
Check out our full interview with Christina below
Image by Ed LaRiviere
What is your earliest music memory?
My earliest music memory wasn’t even really involving me playing music. When I was young, I remember one Christmas when my dad got my sister a guitar. I was about 6 and she was 5 ½ years older than me. I always looked up to her and wanted to do everything she did. So, I was eyeing that guitar with my life. The funny thing was, she actually picked up piano instead and I was the one who decided to play guitar. Can’t say that that was the first hand-me-down I got from her, though.
Is music your full-time gig? What else are you involved in?
Yes! I am fortunate enough to be able at say that music is what I do all day, every day. I play cover gigs at various bars and restaurants around town and in New Jersey when I’m not working on or playing my own original music. It took a few years of building connections to get to this point, but it definitely paid off. I know how hard it is to balance another job while trying to get your artist career up and running, so I’m very thankful for being able to have music as my full-time gig.
Image by Rosie Simmons
Is this what your parents thought you would be doing?
Yes, I think they did. Obviously, as a parent you never know what your child will grow up to be/become. I was always singing or playing music at a young age, that I think they suspected music would be it for me. My parents are my biggest support system. My dad, actually, started his own business, and because of that, I believe they both understand taking risks in life. They raised my brother, sister, and me to become whoever/whatever we wanted to be, just as long as we put 110% into our passions.
Where would you love to be in 5 years? Location, career, label?
Hopefully, in five years, I’ll be a songwriter full-time and playing my music around the country. I love to write and perform, and it would mean everything to me seeing my music connect with other people. I rely on music so much in my life, whether it’s to feel better after a bad day or to get energized for a night out. My ultimate goal is for my music to impact other people, the way other artists’ music impacts me. That’s success to me.
Who are the top 3 artists who give you creative inspiration?
Image by Rosie Simmons
There are a range of artists who give me creative inspiration. I have artists that I aspire to sound like, for example, Grace Potter, Stevie Nicks, the Wilson sisters from Heart. But, I find that I gravitate towards music that isn’t in my blues/rock style to get inspired. I’m a sucker for all types of rock, but if we are talking inspiration, I find it in the music that is completely different from the genre in which I’m writing. For example, Lana Del Ray is the most recent artist that I’ve been using for inspiration. Along with ABBA, Glass Animals, Remi Wolf. All completely different writers and sounds, and I love finding little nuggets of musical ideas in all of them.
Where do you find your songwriting inspiration?
A good portion of my writing starts with life experiences. When I’m writing, I’ll start with a topic that might be on my mind or something I’m going through, but then I’ll weave the story around that or embellish it. I find most of my ideas come about when I’m driving or walking around the city.
Image by Rosie Simmons
What is one song/event/partnership/etc. that you are really proud of?
I am about to release a new song that I co-wrote with Tommy Joyner from Milkboy Studio that I’m really proud of. I have worked with Tommy before on producing my music, but we have never done a partnership like this.
There’s a vulnerability in writing, whether it’s from your own experiences or something you create, and I’ve struggled in the past to write what I truly want to say. I’d worry that people in my life would take my lyrics in the wrong way, because though there is an underlining truth, I’m still creating a story.
But, for this song, “Falling In and Out of Love” that Tommy and I are releasing, I’ve threw out all my fears and said what I wanted to say. For that, I’m really proud of it and I’m excited for you guys to hear it! It’ll be out the first week of August!
What is one fun fact we/no one knows about you?
I don’t bring this up often, but I played the first singles position on the varsity tennis team back in high school. I wasn’t the best, but my coach wanted to place the girl who should’ve been varsity one in the varsity two position, so the team would win more games. At the end of the season, my coach gave me a score card from the court with the #1 on it, not because I was “the best”, but because even though I didn’t win many games, she knew I still gave my all and that made me “#1” in her mind. I still have that score card hanging on my door, and it reminds me today of how I didn’t give up, and how in life you sometimes need to personally sacrifice for the betterment of the group.
Image by Rosie Simmons
What is one piece of advice you have for artists/creatives who are just trying to get started?
Image by Rosie Simmons
Being a creative is hard. Everyone has their own journeys and so do the people that you meet and connect with along the way. Therefore, it’s extremely easy to compare yourself to your peers. I cannot tell you how many times I’ll follow another friend that’s a musician and think “God, they’re so much better than me.” Or “They’re already basically famous!?”
But, I have learned that everyone has their own path, and as long as you continue to have the drive and the passion for what you do, there is no right or wrong. It’s important to be true to yourself.
My go-to line is “put the blinders on,” meaning don’t look at what others are doing, focus on the here and now and what you’re trying to accomplish. You have the time, it may take you longer than expected, but if you keep moving forward, you’ll get there.