With the release of her newest single “Typical Texas Girl,” Savannah Rae has further engrained her status as one to watch. We recently had the opportunity to chat with Savannah about the new single, being mentored with Pam Tillis and writing with her, what to expect from her upcoming single releases, the lessons that she learned from singing back-up for pop star Demi Lovato, retuning to her country roots, and much more!

Single Review: "Typical Texas Girl"

www.thesavannahrae.com

1. You recently released your brand-new single “Typical Texas Girl.” Tell us a little bit about the song.

“Typical Texas Girl” was inspired by some of the stereotypes Texas girls can often face, and how some people may underestimate us. People see the big hair, the rhinestones, the dressed to the 9's and automatically assume we are less than. But what they don't see is how hard-working, resilient, capable, and smart Texas girls actually are. Take Miranda Lambert for example, she is all glitz and glamour on stage, but is one of the most down-to-earth and savvy businesswomen. While TTG is a fun and energetic song, it does have a deeper-rooted meaning. It's a wise reminder to never judge a book by its cover!

2. How important was it for you at this point in your career to give listeners an autobiographical type of song and introduce who you are - as the person behind the artist - to the listening audience?

I think it was incredibly important for me to re-introduce myself to my audience and introduce myself to potential audiences. I feel like these past couple of years I have really come into myself and found out who I am not only as an artist, but as a person as well. I have defined what I want my music to sound like and cemented what I want to talk about and the messages I want to convey. I have done a lot of growing both career wise and personally over this time and felt like “Typical Texas Girl” was the perfect song to showcase that!

3. You co-wrote the song with Pam Tillis and Britton Cameron. What did each of those legends bring to the writing room that helped elevate the song to places that it might not have otherwise gone?

Working with Pam Tillis was a dream come true! I have been listening to Pam ever since I can remember, so to be able to work with somebody I have looked up to all my life was such a wild and humbling experience. I am very blessed and honored to have her as my mentor as I have learned so much and gained such valuable life lessons and experiences. Writing “Typical Texas Girl” with Pam was inspiring on many levels. Just having her as a co-writer is surreal in itself. She added so much to the song and came up with some of the best lines that really helped shaped the song into what it is! It would not be “Typical Texas Girl” without her! We had a blast writing it and I'm fortunate to have her be a part of a song that means so much to me.

I have also been working with Britton Cameron for the past year and a half and we write so well together. He has such a great ear and has worked with some incredible people, and we always bounce exciting and intriguing ideas off each other. It’s always a blast being in a session with him! Fun fact: I wrote my last single “Soft Place to Land” with him in only 45 minutes!

4. Speaking “Soft Place to Land,” why do you feel that this was the perfect song to follow it with?

“Soft Place to Land” was a blast to write and it’s such a fun song to perform! I thought “Typical Texas Girl” was a great follow up to SPL as it really digs deeper into the sound I’m going towards. It’s definitely on the more country/rock side of things and leans towards those two genres, which are my favorites. I think TTG really captures who I am as a person and is helping to propel me into this new sound that I am obsessed with!

5. You have teased that there are more songs on the way throughout the year. When can we expect to hear those?

You will certainly be hearing some new material from me before the end of the year! We’re just getting started!

6. What will these next songs offer listeners that “Soft Place to Land” and “Typical Texas Girl” don’t show them about who you are as a songwriter and artist?

These new songs that I will be releasing are ones that I am so pumped about! They lean even more into that country edge that I love so much. They are super organic and very guitar driven. These new songs are like little pieces of me and talk about so many different experiences that I have had, from the good, bad, and the ugly! We have everything from the rockin’ uptempo anthems, to the more stripped down, raw, and acoustic pieces. Subject wise, they all stem from occurrences and circumstances that have impacted me deeply. This is the most personal my music has ever been!

7. Switching over to the pop world for a question…you were a backup singer for Demi Lovato and performed on The Voice, American Music Awards, etc. What did you learn the most from being a part of that world that you are incorporating into your own career now?

Over the course of these past 10 years, I have learned SO much that I incorporate now. I learn to always trust my gut, be true to who I am, and it takes a village! When you’re in this wild of a business, it’s easy to lose yourself and do what other people tell you to. However, nobody knows yourself and what you want quite like you! I learned that authenticity is key and will get you so much farther in your goals. Also, to have a team around you that you trust is one of the biggest lessons I have learned! I am nothing without my team and all their sacrifices and work. It’s hard to find people that have your best interests at heart, but once you do, hold onto them!

8. What made you decide that it was the right time to come back to your country music roots?

I have always been a country girl at heart. Being from Texas, it’s pretty much ingrained in me. When I started music, I was very young and just had such a vast appreciation for it. There were no real “genres” to me. I just made the music that I wanted to make and was highly influenced by things that I saw around me. Whether that be the rock, alternative, or pop side of things, I have had a hand in many different cookie jars. However, I think my last stint in pop music really helped me realize who I was a both an artist and a person. Now I’m back with my two main loves: country with that rock edge!

9. You mentioned you’re from Texas, which is a state with a tremendous country music scene. In what ways do you feel you and your music fit in perfectly with everything going on in the Texas scene right now, but also, in what ways to you feel you’re different enough to stand out from the crowd?

There is just a certain way of life about Texas. I always say that you’ll know somebody is from Texas because they will tell you about it within 5 minutes of meeting them! There is definitely something in the water and I think that in itself, is the very reason I fit in well. I am authentically Texan! However, I do think I stand out from the crowd. There are not too many female country music artists that are merging that gap between country and rock. I bring a new sound to the scene! I like to think of my genre as somewhere between Shania Twain and Koe Wetzel!

10. What is the best piece of advice that you can offer an aspiring songwriter/artist just trying to break into the music business?

Like I said previously, stay true to yourself! Stay authentic! I have made so many mistakes listening to what other people wanted for me or wanted me to do that I lost who I was a few times. It’s great if people want to help you and they have advice to give, just never sacrifice your vision or your artistic integrity. You will get SO much farther being authentic to yourself. Also, work hard. I always say that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. Anything worth having doesn’t come easy! Never give up and keep grinding away. It can oftentimes be discouraging as an independent artist as there is so much work involved and many ‘no’s” being thrown your way. However, it’s sometimes only the one “yes” that can change your life! Keep on truckin’!

Learn more about Savannah Rae by visiting her official website at:https://thesavannahrae.com/

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