Having racked up more than 50 million streams and been championed by the likes of Billboard, there’s no denying Lainey Wilson’s talent – or her ability to enrapture an audience with her music. Having recently released her new single, “Neon Diamonds”, PopWrapped caught up with her to find out more about the track and who she’d most like to collaborate with.
Hi Lainey, how are you?
I’m doin’ great! Kinda been on cloud nine lately. Life is good!
Your music merges together different genres – country, pop and rock – how would you describe it?
I would describe my music as Bell Bottom Country, also known as country with a flare. I’m about as country as cornbread so there’s no getting rid of that element of my sound. My “flare” – the part of my sound that I think is unique to me – is influenced by my highly regarded values of wanting to treat people right and not take things too seriously, mixed with some of my rock-leaning influences like Bob Seger and Janis Joplin.
What first inspired you to start writing songs?
When I was 9 years old, I had a friend over for a playdate. We were playing dress up and pretending we were superstars. I was Britney Spears and she was Shania Twain. We both wrote songs for ourselves, and mine wasn’t half bad. I mean, for a 9-year-old pretending to be Britney Spears anyways. That’s when I wrote my first song, “Lucky Me” and I’ve been writing ever since.
Is there a particular quote or person that’s given you advice that has helped you on your journey?
“We can’t direct the wind but we can adjust the sails.” -Dolly Parton. When you feel like something isn’t going your way, do something about it. It’s all about how you deal with the hand you’ve been given and figuring out the best way to move forward.
Tell us a little about your new single, “Neon Diamonds.”
If there’s a song on this record “for the girls” it’s this one. It’s about going out, having a good time and not being concerned with anything more than just enjoying the moment. Also, if you listen to the last chorus, my Mama is singing gang vocals with the band. She can’t carry a tune in a bucket, but she was in the studio the day we were recording this song and well, you don’t really need to know how to sing to do gang vocals. So, she made the record. And she’s made sure to let all her friends know – haha!
“Neon Diamonds” is taken from your new album ‘Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin”. How did you find the process of recording the collection, and which song on it might you say means the most to you?
It was one of the best things I’ve ever gotten to do. From getting to work with my bucket list producer, Jay Joyce, to recording in his church-turned-studio sanctuary, to the incredible musicians that played on the record, to Jay’s two 150-pound great Danes that roam around the studio while we’re working…it’s just such an incredible vibe.
“Keeping Bars In Business” is probably the song that means the most to me because two days prior I lost my dog, Puddin. That’s what I was referring to in the third line that says “me, I put my dog down yesterday.” She was the dog who moved to Nashville with me, the one who would lick the tears off my face, and my friend when I felt like I had none. This song specifically talks about the ups and downs of life and how we can all be on different pages of life at times, but regardless of where you’re at – whether you’re celebrating or your heart is breaking – we’re all keeping bars in business for one reason or another.
Which artists are you listening to at the moment?
Hailey Whitters, Brothers Osborne, Breland and Tyler Childers. They are all true artists through and through and I’m a big fan of them all.
If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be?
Eric Church is number one on my collaboration wish list, but there’s a lot of folks I’d like to do something with at some point; Orville Peck, Tyler Childers, Breland, Ashley McBryde, Marcus King…the list goes on.
Finally, if a movie were to be made of your life – who would you like to see play you?
I’d play myself! I’ve started to try my hand at acting here lately ha! But if someone else had to play me, I’d say Emma Roberts. I’ve had a few people tell me we look alike, and I think she’s a good actress.
Give the visualizer for “Neon Diamonds” a watch below and for more information on Lainey Wilson, visit her website, give her page a like on Facebook or follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Author
