Today we’d like to introduce you to Saylor Brasseaux.
Hi Saylor, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.
I first fell in love with performing at my 3rd grade talent show in Carencro, Louisiana. While most of the other kids wanted to dance, I wanted to sing. I chose “Love Story” by Taylor Swift and walked onto that stage without an ounce of fear. After the performance, I received an award, and I remember my parents looking at each other and realizing this might be more than just a childhood hobby.
Not long after, they enrolled me in voice lessons with the incredible Valerie Simon. Over the next several years, I received professional vocal training and competed in vocal competitions across the country. Singing quickly became more than something I loved—it became part of who I was.
Around age 13, my journey shifted from simply singing songs to writing my own. My dad started teaching me guitar, but since I only knew a few chords, I couldn’t play many of my favorite songs. So I decided to make up my own instead.
I still remember nervously playing one of my first original songs for my parents. Their encouragement gave me the confidence to keep writing, and songwriting soon became my favorite form of self-expression.
A few years later, I began taking piano lessons with Chad Viator, who also happened to be a music producer. He recognized my passion for songwriting and offered to help me record my original music. For nearly three years, we worked together every week. More than teaching me how to record, he encouraged my creativity and trusted me to make the artistic decisions for my music. Watching a song grow from a simple idea into a finished recording made me fall even deeper in love with the creative process.
I began releasing original music while performing at songwriter rounds and festivals throughout Louisiana. As graduation approached, I knew there was only one place I wanted to go if I was serious about pursuing music: Nashville.
I’ve now called Nashville home for the past seven years. During that time, I’ve written hundreds of songs, collaborated with incredibly talented writers and musicians, and continued discovering the artist I want to become. Every song teaches me something new, and I still carry the same excitement I had as that little girl singing Taylor Swift at her elementary school talent show.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not.
One of the hardest parts about pursuing music in Nashville is avoiding the comparison game. You’re surrounded by thousands of incredibly talented artists, all working toward the same dream. It can be easy to wonder if you’re doing enough or if you’re taking the right path.
I’ve also learned that the music industry is full of people who promise success—for a price. I’ve come across countless opportunities that required thousands of dollars upfront, often targeting artists who are simply trying to take the next step in their careers. It can be discouraging trying to figure out what’s truly worth investing in.
Financially, being an independent artist has been my biggest challenge. Releasing music, recording songs, hiring musicians, marketing releases, and putting on live shows adds up incredibly fast. Over the years, I’ve invested thousands of dollars back into my music. Every dollar I’ve earned from performing has gone right back into creating the next project.
I try to remind myself that it’s an investment in my future, but I’d be lying if I said it isn’t scary sometimes. Like any small business, you hope to eventually see a return on everything you’ve poured into it. Right now, the cost of creating music has limited how often I can release it. I typically put out about one song a year—not because I don’t have more music to share, but because I want to give each release the quality and attention it deserves, and that comes with a significant cost.
Even with those challenges, I wouldn’t trade this journey. Every song I release represents years of hard work, sacrifice, and a genuine love for creating music.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to write with so many incredibly talented songwriters, and through those experiences I’ve discovered where I naturally shine. While I love contributing to lyrics, hooks, and concepts, I’ve realized that melody is my strongest lane. It’s the part of songwriting that comes most instinctively to me.
Even on days when the right lyric doesn’t immediately come to mind, I know I can always contribute melodically. Melody has become my way of telling the story.
One aspect of songwriting that fascinates me is prosody—the way the melody, rhythm, chords, and lyrics all work together to communicate the same emotion. To me, a great melody doesn’t just sound pretty; it makes the listener feel exactly what the lyric is trying to say.
When the lyrics are written, I love asking questions like: What melody best enhances this emotion? Does this moment call for a powerful belt, an intimate whisper, or something in between? Should the melody leap and soar, or stay almost conversational with subtle movement? Those decisions may seem small, but they’re often what transform a good song into one that truly connects with people.
I’ve always believed that the melody is what gives a song its heartbeat. It’s the bridge between the words on the page and the emotions the listener ultimately feels.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I think my biggest piece of advice when it comes to finding a mentor is to simply be yourself. Don’t try to overperform or convince someone that you’re worth investing in. The best mentor relationships happen naturally, with people who genuinely believe in what you’re doing and want to see you succeed.
If you find yourself constantly trying to prove your value or force a connection, it may not be the right fit—and that’s okay. There are so many incredible mentors out there. I’d rather invest my time in relationships built on mutual respect and genuine encouragement than spend my energy chasing someone’s approval.
I also can’t recommend coffee or lunch meetings enough. Some of the most valuable conversations I’ve had haven’t been about asking for opportunities—they’ve been about hearing someone’s story. Those conversations have not only helped me build meaningful relationships, but they’ve also inspired me and given me ideas that I’ve been able to apply to my own journey.
At the end of the day, mentorship isn’t about finding someone to hand you success. It’s about finding people who challenge you, encourage you, and remind you why you started in the first place.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saylorbrasseauxmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550357019559
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3VIXtCIfokondRC5h5bWdo
