Dusty Leigh is quite the unique talent in music, today. Easily said, nobody sounds like Dusty and nobody brings to the table the sound she does, nor do they even come close to bringing to the table the same artistry.

After discovering the artistry that Dusty Leigh exudes, we wanted to dive deeper into this project with her and hear from her a little bit more about how this project came to be, and future plans for 2021.

PopWrapped (PW): Vol. 2 of your Roots & Dreams trilogy has some of the most beautiful, honest, raw & real lyrics thus far. “Behind The Whiskey” is from the perspective of a broken, doomed, relationship. With that being said, is this from personal experience? If so, tell us a little bit about that and how you knew that’s the route you wanted to go with that track.

Dusty Leigh (DL): It does, but more so I think this song embodies an issue that affects countless relationships on various levels; marriages, friendships, and child/parent relationships, as well. We all have demons that can distract us from what’s most important, but it’s how we overcome those demons that matters.

PW: Behind The Whiskey is truly a beautiful track. It’s got that authentic country sound, and you combine stunning, bone-chilling vocals with simple, yet powerful production that alludes you in, has you craving more. What more can you tell us about this track?

DL: Because Behind The Whiskey is so personal to me, I think the emotion behind it came naturally, almost easy. It showcases a cry for help, but also a plea to put the bottle down and look around. There are still people that love you and want you to get help.

PW: “Alone Another Night” is a promise-filled marvel that begs you to take a step back and ask the hard questions that surround the burden of our regrets and the time we’ve wasted on them. Do you find yourself regretting a lot, and wasting time thinking about wasting time? If so, how do you maintain a healthy balance?

DL: I regret very little in my life, and the “things” I do regret are mostly actions I wished I had taken in my formative years. “Leaps of faith”, setting boundaries for people that show little respect, etc. My step-dad, who adopted me when I was 7, was one of the greatest men to walk this earth, he passed away in 2016, but always taught me that life is about choices; some you make, some you take, but all of them are stepping stones and lessons to be learned. No matter how much you screw up, take something away from it and grow, so as not to make the same mistake twice.

PW: COVID 19 has taken the world by storm, causing us to spend more time at home, alone with our thoughts. How have you maintained composure during this crazy time and how do you plan to make sure your music is the best that it can be while going through the unpredictable comings of this horrible pandemic?

DL: COVID 19 has certainly been a challenge for us all, but one of the silver linings that’s come from it is time. With so many cancelled shows, I have found more time to dedicate towards things I often put off when I have little time to complete them, like song writing/selecting. During the pandemic, I was able to finish my debut EP. It provided time to write and select songs that I truly believe in and have a strong emotional attachment to. I poured my heart and soul into recording each one of them and hope those listening can relate and love them as much as I do. 

PW: What can your audience expect from the new music that you will be putting out in 2021?

DL: Folks can expect the same emotional dedication I put into my first EP, but with an upbeat feel. I love the ballad-soaked anthems of my debut EP, because It’s who I am and the type of music I am drawn to, but I also love performing rock-worthy songs, too. I’m looking forward to releasing my sophomore album full of dance floor stompers in 2021. 

PW: What do you hope that your audience can take from the Roots & Dreams project? & what can you share with us regarding what’s to come?

DL: I hope my audience can take a listening journey through R&D’s from start to finish and feel the love, gratitude, and soul I put into making it. Releasing my first EP has been a childhood dream. One that I put off for many years and one that I am insanely proud of and hope people feel while listening.

Dusty Leigh’s Roots & Dreams Vol. 2 is available now on all major music platforms. Be sure to follow Dusty’s journey on Facebook and Instagram.