By: Staff
After nearly two decades, Audra Watt drops a new release, proving dreams are a powerful force, and delivers the undeniable hit "Bullet Trains." Returning to music after putting her musical aspirations on hold, we now hold Audra Watt in high regard as she helps motivate us all! Thoughts of the past stirred a realization: she would regret not heading to Nashville and immersing herself in the songwriting scene. What is birthed from this decision is a beautiful hit in the making. "Bullet Trains" starts with an enthralling, gentle acoustic guitar melody that captivates. Audra Watt enters vocally, and we instantly agree with her decision to end this long hiatus and return to the stage. She tells a story about life's beauty and humans' amazing power to recreate ourselves, describing how beautiful and overwhelming the experience is. "Days go by slow, years like bullet trains." Wow. We have never heard this before, but what an absolutely stunning, powerful message it is. The lyric alone is thunderous, and the feeling, complemented by Audra Watt's emphatic and emotional vocal delivery, is pure magic. It's undeniable that parents have much knowledge to pass along, but the decision to show her children that life doesn't attach to a number, but to our accomplishments, is the best lesson anyone could teach. Audra Watt's journey serves as an inspiration to all those who have put their dreams on hold. Her comeback story resonates with anyone who's ever felt it was too late to pursue their passion. The song's message of resilience and self-reinvention strikes a chord with listeners of all ages. The production of "Bullet Trains" perfectly complements Watt's heartfelt lyrics and emotive vocals. The track builds gradually, adding layers of instrumentation that mirror the song's themes of growth and transformation. The chorus swells with a mix of acoustic and electric elements, creating a sound that's both familiar and fresh in the country music landscape. Watt's decision to chase her dreams resulted in a potential chart-topper. She demonstrates that it's never too late to rewrite your story and that passion knows no age limit. This bold move challenges societal norms about career trajectories and proves that talent, when coupled with determination, can flourish at any stage of life. As "Bullet Trains" gains traction, it's clear that Audra Watt's return to music is more than just a personal triumph – it's a beacon of hope for dreamers everywhere. Her story reminds us that sometimes, the most beautiful melodies are those that have been waiting years to be heard. You can find this on any major platform and see below for links to take you straight to the Spotify and Youtube profiles Make sure to playlist, stream and share Audra Watt and “Bullet Trains”.
Wait, there's more!
We caught up with this exciting and re-emerging artist, for:
“The Cage” Music Blog, to talk about music and learn more about them.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview
When did you start making music?
I started music as a child, playing fiddle at 4, piano at 6, and later taking up oboe, jazz keyboards, and guitar. I started writing and performing my own songs in college, but after I graduated, life took over with a healthcare career, marriage, and raising two kids, leading me to mostly stop playing, except for occasional gigs at friends' weddings
What first sparked the passion for you to create music?
As I approached my 40th birthday, I realized my life felt incomplete without music and I felt this deep sense of regret for abandoning the long-forgotten dream to write, record and release my own music. I realized I didn’t want to live any more with regrets, so I decided to refocus, investing in mentoring, joining songwriting communities, and taking lessons. Embracing music again has improved my well-being and allowed me to live out my authentic artist self. I still work full-time in the medical device industry and have a lot to balance between my job and my family – I am a wife and mother to two energetic little boys (ages 7 and 9).
Can you walk us through your songwriting process and where the inspiration comes from for this latest project?
My songwriting process usually starts with a phrase or a title that catches my attention. For bullet trains, it was the advice I received at my baby shower to “write everything down” because “the days are long, but the years are short.” That phrase echoed in my brain last summer when I was going through my kids clothes to pull out items that were outgrown and eventually it became the hook “days go by slow, years go like bullet trains.” Melodically and chord-wise, my songs usually start with me attempting to do something specific, and then messing it up and accidentally ending up somewhere else. The guitar riff and timing of the phrasing of the hook were mistakes from my attempt to play the Avett Brothers “The Ballad of Love and Hate.” Sometimes I’ll also challenge myself to do something specific, like write in 6/8 time, or try to incorporate a 4 minor that isn’t cheesy. Bringing the melody and lyrics together is (for me) a painful and destructive process involving a lot of cursing and ripping up pages. It’s much more pleasant for everyone around me when I write with a patient co-writer who can keep me focused and on track. Being that I write melody and lyrics, I do tend to lean one way or the other depending on the strengths of my co-writers. In some writes, I focus mostly on chords and melody, and in others I don’t even touch my instrument and focus exclusively on lyric. Other times I just am in the room and along for the ride.
Where do you create your music, i.e., in a home recording studio or with a producer? How do you finalize your finished work, i.e., self-mixed/mastered or another source?
I live in Nashville and there are so many wonderful and talented producers and engineers. I am a beginner producer/recording engineer, so I know enough to stumble through a demo and to be dangerous, but for Bullet Trains I wanted to work with a partner who could guide me through the process since this was my first time recording and releasing music. I was lucky enough to get connected with a fantastic producer, Andrew King, who is also a multi-instrumentalist as well as songwriter and vocalist. He was everything I could ask for in a partner – pushing back on me melodically or lyrically to improve the quality, but also allowing me the artistic freedom to make choices that were right for me. Vibe King Studio in Nashville is a one-stop shop with incredible session musicians, backup vocalists, engineers, and mix/master specialists, which was incredible for me since it was my first real professional studio experience. I actually teared up when I was recording – in awe that this crazy dream I had for over 20 years was actually materializing.
What was the most challenging part of bringing this project to life, from the initial idea to the final recording?
The most difficult part for me was pushing through my insecurities and inner demons to just press “submit”. I had the recording finished and the photos complete months ago and every time I would go to upload and plan the release, the voices in my head would start screaming “who do you think you are… you’re 41 years old… this is stupid… you’re an idiot who can’t sing and has no business doing this…” I am so proud of myself for finally telling those voices to shut up. I wish I could have done that 20 years ago, but better late than never. I feel a huge sense of relief.
Is any part of your music's message or your personal purpose you feel fans should know more about? If so, what is that element, and why is it so important to you?
I definitely thought long and hard about whether or not I should be so descriptive about the pregnancy/birth aspects of the motherhood journey in the lyrics. In fact, I even wrote an entirely different first verse that was focused on the late nights with a newborn because to me, motherhood and parenthood is so much more is so much more than the biological act of growing and birthing a baby, and I am sensitive to those who have had trauma or other challenges related to fertility and birth. However, in the end, I felt like it was more important to tell my authentic story in the way that I experienced it, even if that meant that some people may not fully connect with all the lyrics. I don’t know whether that was the “right” choice, but after not being honest with myself for so many years about who I am and what I want to do with my life, I felt like I needed to show up to my music in a true raw and vulnerable way.
What has been the most motivating force in creating your music?
To show my kids that their dreams (no matter what they are) are worth chasing and that the desires in their hearts are put there for a reason. I felt like I could never look them in the eye and tell them they can do anything they set their mind to as long as they worked hard, if I myself was unwilling to do that myself.
Where do you see your sound and artistry heading in the future? Are there any exciting new directions you're exploring?
I’m working on music that I think brings in more of my jazz training into the more traditional Americana/Country sound. More complex time signatures, interesting chord changes, and blending instrumentation with some programmed sounds like pads is something that I’m looking to bring to my future releases.
What advice would you give your younger self?
One day you will regret every single second you spent hating your body. Your body is a gift and it’s a privilege to wake up every day existing in it. Make peace with how it looks and instead of hating it, use it to do something productive like write music or take a walk with a friend. Or go to the Humane society and pet puppies. Or stare at the wall. Literally doing anything is more productive than sitting there hating a giant sack of bones and skin and muscles and organs.
When you reach the stage where you have the admiration and respect of other world-known artists, what band or artist would you love to call and say, “Let’s go on tour together”?
Tori Amos or Dolly Parton. Or both! That would be quite the tour!
We have experienced many people performing acts of selflessness each day. Once your artistry has reached far and wide, how will you use that more powerful voice to positively impact our world?
Over the years I wasn’t making music, I did a great job of convincing myself that I didn’t really want to do it. I would refuse to say it out loud. I would be scrolling online and see some meme that said “what would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail” and that little voice would be like “write and record an album of original songs” and I would just tell that little voice to shut up and go on with my day. That constant denial of not living out my authentic drained my energy, made me depressed, and made me physically sick. I believe that everyone has that little voice inside them… maybe it isn’t saying “write songs”… maybe it’s saying “open up your own bakery” or “draw charcoal portraits”… it’s different for everyone…but I know that if I can inspire just one other person to start living their truth the way that I have… especially other women in their mid-life, then I really believe that will make the world better.
What is the most inspirational thing a fan or anyone has told or shown you about your music?
That my song made them “feel seen”.
End Interview
Check out this latest release and listen to more of Audra Watt on Spotify & YouTube.
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