 Courtesy of the Artist
Raised and living in Ottawa, singer-songwriter Norm Brunet's artistic ability was evident at an early age. He started playing guitar at the age of nine and over the years, the two became inseparable. With a diverse appreciation for music, Norm counts the Eagles, Poco, Loggins and Messina, and the Birds, among his many influences. With two previous critically acclaimed albums, Me & My Guitar and Life Goes On, Norm’s latest project, It Don’t Get Better Than This, remains true to his signature style of writing, balanced with the melodies of traditional country, rock, and American roots music. Here, Brunet answers his Essential 8 and talks the story behind his album's title, songwriting, his dream venue, golf, and much more!
What’s the story behind your album’s title? “It Don’t Get Better Than This,” the title track and lead off single, was the first song that I wrote off this album last year at this time. It was inspired by a young mid-west family that I met in my travels. He was a trucker and she a stay-at-home mom with two very young children. They were barely making ends meet and had none of the modern trappings that we are all accustomed to. I was taken aback when I saw how they had found true happiness in the simple things in life – their faith, their family and their friends. We are so busy chasing the almighty dollar that we sometimes forget about what’s important. The song just wrote itself after meeting them, and it was that song that got my creative juices flowing. I wrote the rest of the album in a couple of months. Where do you draw inspiration from when writing? From everyday situations. I’m a very good listener and observer of life, people and what surrounds me. I take everyday situations and manage to create a story from it. When/where do you do your best writing? I’m an early riser. I can’t sleep past 5:00 a.m. and I find that’s when my mind and thoughts are fresh and my creativity is at its best. If I do get an idea, no matter what the time is I am disciplined to save that thought on my cell in files that I keep and later transfer to my computer. I’ve amassed a lot of one liners and ideas, and I keep those for a rainy day.
Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up
stories, something else or a combination? I have a lot of songs that are from personal experience, but mostly observances of life. There is a track on my latest album called, “Like Out Of A Dream” that you would think is about a relationship between a man and a woman but it is actually about our pet dog CODY’s adoption from the Humane Society. She’s no longer with us. We had her 15 years and she was the best! What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out? Follow your heart and your thoughts. The music business is very rough and demoralizing at best, but if you stick with it, it will pay off down the road. You will get so many rejections throughout your career. Just remember that most are just one person’s opinion. It is subjective. Some comments you can take the good and learn from but mostly the others are bad. Take what you want to take from it and grow, learn and keep your head up. Follow your dream and have plan to stick by! What’s your favorite food on the road? I try and eat sensibly but obviously not always. I’m a sucker for chicken wings. What are your “must have” albums for the road? I have my collection of faves. Anything by The Eagles. Rodney Crowell’s Life is Messy is probably my go-to with the songs, “Let’s Make Trouble Tonight” and “It’s Not For Me To Judge.” All of Steely Dan. Trace Atkins’s “Watered Down.” A band from Canada called The Powder Blues Band with “Tell Me What Have I been Drinking.” The Doobie Brothers, Frankie Valli & 4 Seasons, Jo Smith’s Old School Groove. I never get tired of listening to that and my latest fave, Alan Jackson’s “The Older I Get.” I have a varied taste in music …. What’s your dream venue and why? I have two: The Blue Bird Cafe and the Opry in Nashville. They are on my bucket list. Who would you love to collaborate with? Rodney Crowell. Favorite thing to do on a day off? Golf. I’m a golf fanatic. It is such a difficult sport that is you against yourself. It can be Zen or very frustrating …. Website Purchase Soundcloud
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