“Dangerous” is a definite earworm – just one listen is enough to get hooked. Love how the song captures the emotions of the ‘will I, won’t I, have to keep you guessing’ dance that all too often occurs between people. What does this song mean to you, and how do you hope it impacts your audience?
CONNR: For me, the essence of "Dangerous" lies in the line, "Come on and take the risk, like you got nothing to lose." I'm terrible about overthinking those "will I, won't I" moments until I remember that there's literally nothing to lose. Some of my favorite memories have come from times when I was willing to just go with the flow and take a chance on something or someone new. My hope is that listeners find "Dangerous" empowering. That it makes you feel sexy and confident and that the world is yours for the taking. ;)
I see that you’re a Tennessee native and currently reside in Alabama. Would you say that your southern roots have had any influence on your music?
CONNR: Yes, definitely! Growing up outside of Memphis, I spent a good amount of time at STAX Records my senior year of high school. I learned all about the likes of Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Booker T. and the MG's, etc. And then, in college, I interned at Fame Recording Studios, where I heard a ton of Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Wilson Pickett, Allman Brothers, etc. I was really lucky to have had such a thorough education in Southern Soul Music, and the biggest thing I took from all those icons is that music is made to make you feel. Whether it's love or heartbreak or going out and having a good time - raw emotion and lyrical transparency are always going to translate to the listener.
What was studying at Loyola like, and what are some of your favorite memories from that time?
CONNR: I loved my time at Loyola. I was super fortunate to have some incredible mentors who helped me train my voice and refine my songwriting, and I was able to learn about the music industry. Truthfully, my favorite memories from that time have nothing to do with music. I made some of my best friends at Loyola, and the nights we spent exploring New Orleans will forever be a part of me. I also think it's hella cool that the friends I made (shout out to Cait Harris & Mars Cooper) are also incredible creatives in their own right, and they continually inspire me in my own craft.
How would you describe your experience interning at Fame Recording Studios?
CONNR: Interning at Fame totally changed my life. I spent the summer after my freshman year of college sitting in a control room for 8 hours a day and quickly realized I had no interest in being an audio engineer. But, I met some of my favorite people in the world that summer. I started working with some of the writers signed to Fame's Publishing company, and the songs I wrote with them did a ton for helping me realize my own artistry. When I graduated from Loyola in 2019, I moved to Muscle Shoals, where I have been writing and recording incessantly since.
You started writing songs at age 14 – can you share your process with us?
CONNR: I wish there were a simple way to explain my songwriting process, but truthfully, it's a muse that shows up differently every time. I prefer to start with a strong melody or lyrical concept, but recently, I've felt more inspired hearing a chord progression or track and trying to capture what it's saying to me. Truthfully, the process never being the same is what keeps me coming back. I keep searching for the time that the stars align, and a song just falls out. It's a pretty amazing feeling.
What’s coming next for you? What are your future plans for your musical journey?
CONNR: Long story short, the plan is to keep going! Dangerous is the 2nd single off a 5 track EP, and my favorite song from this project has yet to be released. ;) I'm hoping to keep booking bigger & better shows, as playing live is one of my absolute favorite things to do, and I'm praying I get to keep connecting with people and sharing the music. Just gotta keep refining the process.
Interviewed By Vanessa Siebrass
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