Photo credit: Jean Claude
Get to know this California native and talented country artist. Hear all about her newest single and much more below!
What’s the name of your new single and what is it about?
“My latest single is called, ‘Hey California.’ It debuted on Radio Disney during their ‘Country Spotlight’ hour, and its the first single off of my upcoming debut full-length album that’s in the works to release soon. It’s a song that I co-wrote with songwriter/producer, Dave Brainard. When Dave and I first sat down together to write it, I told him I wanted to write a song that had a little bit of a Beach Boys vibe to it. My parents always listened to the Beach Boys’ records when I was a child, and I remember especially loving their Endless Summer album. I also wanted to write a country song that gave a nod to my Southern California roots—a song that has a Summertime, playful, California dreamin,’ vibe to it.”
Did you write the song?
“Yes, I co-wrote it with Grammy-nominated producer and songwriter, Dave Brainard.”
What artists inspire you most musically?
“As a child, I always looked up to female country music artists such as Trisha Yearwood, Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, Shania Twain, and Sara Evans. The list goes on…I always remember hearing these powerful female voices on country radio when I was a kid. I remember the first time I heard Deana Carter’s song, ‘Strawberry Wine’, come on the radio. I remember exactly where I was at the time—out in Chino, CA in the car with my mom, parked at a stoplight, and that song came on the radio…it’s the song that made we want to sing and write country music. I also looked up to artists such as the Beach Boys, Sheryl Crow, and Michelle Branch, and I think you can hear some of those influences in my latest single.”
What lead you to pursue music? How did you get your start?
“I started performing from a young age. I began dancing when I was three, acting when I was five, and singing when I was seven. Performing has always been in my blood, and I’ve always loved country music. As I said previously, when I heard ‘Strawberry Wine’ first come on the radio, that was when I knew I wanted to sing and write country music. In fact, I definitely had one of my childhood dreams fulfilled recently when I got to write with Deana Carter. It was such a surreal experience, and when we first met, I told her I was having a ‘geek-out’ moment with her because she’s the reason I wanted to sing country music ;).”
What is the greatest obstacle you have had to overcome as an artist?
“Being true to who I am as a person in my artistry. In other words, the common phrase, “be yourself.” It sounds cliché, but I 100% believe it. As human beings, we all want to connect with one another—we all want someone to relate to us in one way or the other—and we all live in a fickle, on-demand world these days. Music is subjective, but music is also an escape. The artists and music I’ve always connected to are the ones that lay it all out on the line—the ones that are vulnerable, where I feel like I can relate to them in some way. That’s what I strive to do with my own music in the hopes that it will resonate with new listeners and fans.”
Three words to describe yourself.
“Charismatic, funny, kind”
What do you like to do when not making music?
“My husband and I love traveling, hiking, wine tasting, game nights with friends, visiting with family, and our five cats.”
What’s coming up next for you?
“My official music video for “Hey California” will be releasing really soon, so I’ll be excited for you to check that out! We filmed it out in Los Angeles, CA in iconic locations such as the Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood ‘Walk of Fame,’ the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and up and down the coast of Malibu. It also features my friend and actor, Liam McNeill as our ‘Mr. Hey California’ in the video (Manchester by the Sea). We’ve got some live dates booked out on the road as well that are coming up, and lots more music coming for ya! I’ll be sharing all of these updates and more on my social media (@sandralynnmusic) and my website (www.sandralynnmusic.com) so make sure to check those out, as well as head over to Spotify to hear ‘Hey California!'”
Watch talented country artist Sandra Lynn’s playful tune called, “Hey California” by clicking here. Love the vibe to this one, and like holding on to a little bit of summer as we start to change seasons!