Essential 8: Reagan Quinn

Courtesy of the Artist

Reminiscent of Dolly Parton and Allison Krauss, Texas-based singer Reagan Quinn is best known for her impactful lyrics and vintage country melodies. Her newest EP, Texas Sky, is a six-song project she wrote on the banjo over the past two years. Honest and authentic, Quinn balances the piercing and deep tracks with those that offer a light sweetness. Here, she answers her Essential 8 where she speaks about the album, inspiration, her bucket list items, and more.

Is there a story behind your album’s title? 
This album is titled Texas Sky, a song I wrote about 2 years ago. I had just released my first EP, but felt like my music had been manipulated in a way that didn’t represent me. I knew I was changing as a songwriter, but didn’t know what my next step was. I felt like giving up, running away, but I kept coming back to the memories and experiences that made me who I was. One day I was watching the sun set while driving home to College Station and I just knew I couldn’t leave. Texas Sky was my first step into Texas Country music, and the first piece of the puzzle that really fit into place. Writing it felt real and authentic—I felt like myself again—and I knew I was heading in the right direction. That song went on to win me several spots in songwriting contests around the state, and later an opening act for a large festival in my hometown.
 
With any particular song, was there an “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect? 
"Alcohol Makes Women Cry" was the last song I wrote for the Texas Sky album, and the most difficult. It was the end of a relationship that left me insecure, bruised, and broken. I felt like there were three people in our relationship—Me, Him, and Alcohol—so I decided to write a song directed to Alcohol itself. In Country music, and especially in Texas Country, we hear from a lot from men who live an “Outlaw” type of lifestyle. They are the Merle Haggards and Waylon Jennings of the world. I wanted to write the other side of that lifestyle, the women (and men) who get hurt along the way. When I started writing this song, I wasn’t just thinking about me—I was thinking about his mother, his sisters, his next girlfriend. When I finished that song, I knew I was ready to record the album.

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Why did you choose to anchor the album with the songs you did? 
I had been writing for about two years before I felt ready to start recording again. I knew I wanted to do something different than what was being done in Country Music, even in Texas Country. I wanted the album to be reminiscent of the first women songwriters in Country Music—Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton—women who lived out their music. I tried to choose songs that were real and told a story. I wanted it to be obvious that I have lived these stories. I hope the album feels as authentic and natural as those women I look up to so much. I’d like to think these are songs they would be proud of.
 
Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination?           
I’ve never written a song I didn’t live. I suppose I could, but my own life always seems to provide plenty of heartbreak, love, and experiences. Maybe one day when I’m settled down and happy I’ll have to make things up, but so far life just keeps providing material!
 
What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician?
Once, I was attending an open mic and had to correct the MC on my position in line. I kept apologizing because I didn’t want to step on any toes. She stopped me and said, “Don’t apologize. Listen, no one in this business is going to give you what you deserve unless you tell them what you deserve. No one will be a bigger advocate for you than yourself.” That is dang good advice. I repeat it to myself all the time.
 
What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out?
“No one will be a bigger advocate for you than you.” Hate to sound like a broken record, but I say it all the time. One day, hopefully, you’ll have a team around you that believes in you just as much, but until then it’s a lot of hard lonely work. Keep sending out emails. Keep applying for gigs. Keep writing. Keep playing.
 
Where do you draw inspiration from when writing?
The times I feel the most inspired to write are when I have something to work through—which is why most of my music is based in heartbreak and healing. There’s a feeling I get, like something stirring inside me about to overflow, and that’s when I write. Fun Fact—I’ve still never written a love song. At least not in the typical sense. "If You Stay" sounds like one, but I was actually writing to myself. It’s about facing demons and learning how to love myself despite my imperfections.
 
Is there a professional “bucket list” item you would love to check off?
Play at Gruene Hall, then the Grand Ole Opry, then win a Grammy.

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Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/texas-sky-ep/1433124286