What is your name?
Brett Landin

What made you go into music?  
Music has always been a part of my life, and songwriting was how I processed the world around me even though I probably didn’t realize that at the time. My family has always encouraged me to do things that scare me, and sharing my music and stories definitely scared me for a long time because it meant being truly vulnerable.  

During COVID, my dad asked me to record just one song simply to face that fear and here we are years later, creating in a way I didn’t know was possible and building a community that is the core of all of this. If someone hears one of my songs and feels less alone, that’s everything to me. 
 

 

Who are your influences?  
I’m deeply influenced by strong female storytellers artists who are unafraid to say the quiet things out loud. Sonically and lyrically, I’ve always admired the emotional honesty of writers like Kacey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini, and Ashley McBryde. I love the timeless storytelling of The Chicks and the warmth of artists like Norah Jones and James Taylor. 
 I feel like this song and this project as a whole pulls from all of those corners into a sound I’m really proud of. 

 

You released your new song ‘Maid Of Honor’, tell us more about the song and the meaning behind it.  
 Maid Of Honor is one of the most vulnerable songs I’ve ever written. It’s about growing up and friendships changing, shifting, evolving  or sometimes devolving. It’s about friendship breakups and that quiet fear of wondering who will stand beside you when life’s biggest moments happen. It came from a very real place of friendships fading that I thought would last forever and wrestling with the insecurity of, “Did I do something wrong? Am I the only one who feels this way?” 
We talk so much about romantic heartbreak, but not nearly enough about friendship heartbreak and sometimes that kind of loss cuts just as deeply. 

Describe the track in two words:  
Bittersweet honesty 

What was the writing and recording process like?  
The writing process felt almost like a therapy session. It was the first time Maura Streppa, Johnny Hanson, and I had written together and, as most songwriting sessions do, it started with a conversation. I had this idea and tossed it out there, and Maura who is an incredible wordsmith  immediately resonated with it. Johnny is such an amazing songwriter and producer who can go with the flow in the most beautiful way. Once we put the first lyric down, it felt like the whole story just poured out. Recording it was incredibly cathartic. Even though this “fear” is something so many people carry  because it involves the loss of important people in your life  I’vealso been fortunate enough to have incredible women come into my life later who feel like they’ve been there forever. Recording the song almost felt like singing it to them acknowledging that even if we didn’t grow uptogether, we are growing up, together. 

 

Who did you work with on the song?  
I was so lucky to collaborate with an incredible team of people who truly believed in this song and its story. The song was co-written with Johnny Hanson and Maura Streppa. Johnny also produced the track  and the entire project it’s part of  helping build out the music and soundtrack of these stories so beautifully. 
The track features Aaron Sterling on drums and percussion and Justin Schipper on pedal steel. They both added so much emotion and texture working with them was a dream.  
The song was mixed by Ryan Lipman, who built out the levels and layers so thoughtfully, and mastered by Grammy-winning engineer Emily Lazar at The Lodge with assistance from Bob DeMaa, giving it that final warmth and depth. 
Working with people of that caliber who truly care about the story is something I don’t take lightly, especially with content this personal and with the rest of the songs on the project (which will make even more sense once you hear them all). 

Can you tell us about the creative process in creating the artwork and imagery for the song? 
The artwork and visual world for the song was born in collaboration with my photographer (and now best friend), Sienna Wilson. We wanted something that mirrored the emotional tone of the song soft, feminine, but slightly undone. We wanted it to feel nostalgic, intimate, and fleeting. We leaned into soft tones, natural light, and imagery that feels reflective rather than posed which was such a shift from how we shot Same Coast. Nothing overly polished, because the song itself isn’t emotionally polished. It’s raw. 
I feel incredibly fortunate to collaborate with a photographer and friend who truly understands the vision. Because we developed the full visual concept for the EP together, we’re able to tell vignette-like stories that build anticipation for the project as a whole and really capture the essence of each track.  

We are also expected to see a new EP, can you give us a teaser of what to expect and when to expect it?  
Yes the EP is coming out in April. Maid Of Honor is the second single we’re releasing, but it’s actually the fourth song on the full project. 

The project explores where we come from, who we thought we’d become, and how we grow through life’s circumstances. You can expect songs that feel warm but introspective storytelling-driven, emotionally grounded, and very honest. It’s about identity, friendship, family, love, unbecoming versions of yourself you once thought you’d be, and becoming so much more than you imagined. I am so proud of this project. It feels like a true introduction to who I am as an artist and what I value as a storyteller. I couldn’t be more proud of it.  

Will we see any live shows or a tour coming up or in planning, if so what can you tell us about it?  
Absolutely. Live shows are my favorite part of all of this, and this year truly feels like the beginning of a new chapter on stage. There are plans in motion for more dates this year and into 2026. As of now, I’m scheduled to open for Canaan Cox on his We Out Here Tour this April in Texas, followed by a date in Buffalo in May. I’m also working toward expanding into new cities and hopefully internationally. 

Where will we be able to buy tickets from? All tickets will be available through my official website and linked across my social media platforms. That’s always the best place to find the most up-to-date information. 

What else can we expect in 2026? 2026 is going to be a big year more music, more creating (I would love to get back into acting), more live moments, and some very intentional collaborations. 
Personally, I just want to keep creating things that matter. 

Where do you see yourself now in 5 years? That’s such a tough question because five years ago, I never could have predicted where I am today. 
What I do know is that I hope I’m healthy, happy, and creating in a way that fills my cup and means something. I hope I’ve built a community where people feel safe being themselves and see parts of themselves reflected in what I’ve created whether through music, acting, or whatever is meant to come next. 

What quote or saying do you always stick by?  
“Celebrate the version of you who once wasn’t sure this moment would come.” 

When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?  
My emotional-support Owala water bottle, saltine crackers for a nervous stomach before the show, my favorite lip gloss (Saie Glossy Bounce), my tambourine and tambourine hook for my mic stand, and a bottle of perfume for touch-ups. 

Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?  
Yes! You can find me everywhere @brettlandin on Instagram, TikTok (and @brettlandinmusic for covers and more music-focused content), YouTube, and all streaming platforms. 
That’s where I share new releases, behind-the-scenes moments, tour updates, and the real life in between.