Interview by Brooke Gibbs.

If you’re a fan of Lauren Sanderson, Chase Atlantic, Trevor Daniel or Fletcher, you’re going to want to check out Bri Carter.

This New York-based artist has had a successful year with three hit singles and the release of her debut album. Bri is now out for more with the release of another single, too much to handle.

Too much to handle is a melodic, emotional embodiment of feeling like you’re too much - whether that be you’re too intense, or you’re too passionate about things you love.

Bri’s inspiration for this song stems from facing backlash and criticism from her family and others for pursuing a music career, instead of settling for a steady 9-5 job and lifestyle. Futuremag Music’s Brooke Gibbs caught up with Bri prior to the release.

FMM: Congrats on the release of your latest single, Too much to handle! How will you be celebrating?

Bri: Thank you so much! That’s actually a great question! I wish I had a fun answer but the reality is I will probably be watching Netflix with my cat while checking my phone every two minutes to see how the song is doing. The first 24 hours after dropping a song is super stressful because you’re finally watching months of work be brought to life and sharing that with the world.

FMM: What does being too much to handle mean for you, and what are some of the inspirations behind this release?

Bri: This song was inspired by me pursuing a music career and having to choose between what I want to do, and what society tells me I should do. I went to college and graduated with a degree in Graphic Design, and when I graduated the pressure to find a 9-5 job was so prevalent. Music was something I always wanted to do, but I felt like being in school kind of held me back from being able to pursue it in the way that I wanted to. I was always busy with school work, or just trying to have the “college experience.” So, when I graduated I felt like if I didn’t try to follow my dreams, I would never get the chance to ever again, and then I would live my life in regret. So even if music doesn’t work out for me as a career, the most important thing is for me to be able to say that I tried and gave it my all. I would rather try and fail, than to not try at all and live a life full of ‘what ifs?’

FMM: I really love the lyric ‘I’m a forest fire when they wanted a candle.’ Do you mind sharing your own take on this lyric and what it means to you?

Bri: Thank you! This is actually probably one of my favourite lyrics I’ve written. So a candle is just one single flame right? It’s very easy to contain, and a single flame can only shine so bright. A forest fire is unplanned, uncontrolled and unpredictable - it is very hard to contain, and granted it clearly shines much brighter than a candle. Basically to me this lyric means that I’m uncontrolled and have the desire to shine brighter than just a single candle - but people want me to be a candle because it’s the easy way out and they can “control” it. The lyrics that follow are “all my bridges burned I know this ain’t how I planned” and that represents how me being a “forest fire” has affected certain relationships in my life. But burning bridges always leads to building new ones, and from that I have met so many amazing people and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

FMM: I feel like the feeling of being ‘too much’ is something a lot of people can relate to. What advice do you have for other people who may be feeling like they’re too much?

Bri: One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in life is that you have to live your life for you - not anybody else. I’ve had so many conversations with people who are like “I wish I could do that but I don’t want people to judge me” and you literally can’t let that stop you from being your authentic self and living the life YOU want. People are going to judge you regardless so you might as well do what makes you happy, and with that you will find the right people who support you. So my advice is, if you ever feel like you’re too much - you’re not. You’re just not around the right people, because the right people will celebrate you, not criticise you.

FMM: I love your sound! Your voice, but also your music is very unique! Do you feel like you’ve found your sound? Or is this something you experiment with?

Bri: Thank you so much I appreciate that! You know that’s actually something I’ve struggled with because I always felt like my music didn’t fit in a specific genre and I wasn’t sure how to navigate that. It’s like I wanted to be a rapper, singer, and make alternative music all at the same time, but I didn’t know that I could. So I have some songs that are very pop, some songs that are hip-hop, but most recently on my debut EP is where I really think I was able to find my sound and combine all the elements together that I wanted to in a way that sounded like me. I’m still growing and still experimenting but I think this was the year where I really found who I feel like I am sound-wise.

FMM: It’s been a big year for you! You released your debut EP only a few months ago, and you’re still putting new music out there! Looking back on 2022, what are you most proud of?

Bri: It has been! I’m actually so happy with how 2022 has went for me I had a lot of firsts! I think I’m honestly most proud of just getting on stage and performing. I really never thought that I would ever be doing that, like in school I would have anxiety days before having to do a presentation, and now I get on stage by myself for 30 minutes and sing in front of people I don’t know. I still get nervous for every show but I think performing has allowed me to grow in ways that I never thought I would and I learn something new each time.

FMM: For anyone coming across your music for the first time, could you please share a bit about yourself and how you got into music?

Bri: I guess I’ll give a little bit of my musical background. In fifth grade I started playing the saxophone in the school band, and I played that all the way until 12th grade. In 9th grade I got really into “emo” and alternative music, and so I taught myself guitar so I could be a rockstar….however I was not very good so the rockstar part didn’t happen haha. I played the bass in rock band for a little bit when I was a junior which was really fun and we performed “Say It Ain’t So” in our school’s talent show and came in 2nd place so that was pretty cool. And then the summer of my senior year before going into my freshman year of college I was like “I want to be a rapper,” so I wrote a few rap songs and put them on Soundcloud and they were definitely not my best work. But then I kept making music here and there while I was in college, and experimenting with different styles and I kept getting better and bette. Here I am now!

FMM: Who are some of your inspirations? I’m getting some nice Lauren Sanderson and Chase Atlantic vibes from your sound!

Bri: I love Lauren Sanderson and Chase Atlantic! They definitely have both inspired me for sure. Some of my other inspirations are blackbear, 070 Shake, ericdoa, and The Kid Laroi. I also grew up listening to emo music like Pierce the Veil, Mayday Parade, and Too Close To Touch so I also take certain influence from that. Lately I’ve really been inspired by hyper-pop and that was a huge influence on my EP.

FMM: What mark do you hope to leave on the music scene?

Bri: I want to help people get through whatever they’re going through, or be someone’s good vibe when they’re driving on a summer day with the windows down. I just want my music to be whatever people need it to be for them. The best compliments to me are when people tell me how my music has impacted them in whatever phase of life they are going through. I guess the mark I hope to leave on the music scene is that my music means something to somebody. Whether that be five people or five million people, as long as my music is a part of someone’s day, then I’m happy.

FMM: What’s next for you?

Bri: I really want to open for somebody on tour next year that’s my dream right now (laughs). But I’m just going to keep on working to stay progressing and growing as an artist!

FMM: Any plans to come to Australia? I would love to see one of your shows!

Bri: Ahh I hope so one day! My manager, Bianca Nilsson, is actually from Adelaide so maybe I will be there sooner than later! Haha.

FMM: Any other comments you would like to add?

Bri: I just want to say thank you so much for this interview, and thank you so much to everyone who has been supporting me on this journey. It means the world!

too much to handle is out now!