Life & Work with Arianna Pappas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Arianna Pappas. 

Hi Arianna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started singing when I was very young. I vividly remember sprinting around the house, belting out my favorite country songs. Music was always a form of therapy for me. Whenever I had a bad day at school, all I had to do was come home and turn on my karaoke machine. That was what I did just about every day. The walls are pretty thin in my house too. God bless my little brother for putting up with me all these years. When I was fourteen years old, my parents bought a guitar from our friends down the street. I named her Betsy and started writing my own songs. I took every performance opportunity in town that I could; open mics, festivals, talent shows, you name it. In my senior year, I began performing the National Anthem at local sporting events. I fell in love with the magic that pulses through me every time I stand up in front of that big crowd and belt out the words to such a magnificent song. It’s a feeling like no other. When I got to college, I knew I wanted to write songs and sing them for a living, but I didn’t know how I would get there. I spent my first two years at Purchase College, a New York state school, studying music composition. Then I discovered Music City, and I was hooked. I have loved country music my whole life. I knew I needed to get to Nashville somehow, so I applied to Belmont University’s renowned songwriting program. My family made the 14-hour drive from Long Island in September 2020. I screamed when I saw the Batman building. At that moment, I knew I was home. Since then, I’ve been playing lots of writer’s rounds, co-writing with my friends, and meeting so many talented people. I’m gearing up to release my first single later this year which is super exciting for me. As a senior at Belmont, I am the current Events Coordinator for the Belmont University Songwriters’ Association and an active volunteer at prominent music industry events through Belmont Service Corps. Nashville is an incredible place and I am so grateful to be living my dream. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One challenge I’ve faced is helping the world understand my dreams. I’ve been told countless times that pursuing music is unrealistic, and a steady job would be the safer decision. That it’s a one-in-a-million chance I’ll make it. But so many of those people were afraid to jump. I hear the phrase “ten-year town” about Nashville every day. It’s not going to change my mind about being here. I can’t really explain it. I just know that I need to make music because it feeds my soul. And if it takes ten years, or even twenty, then it’ll still be worth it. I want to be known as the girl who jumped; not the girl who was too afraid to fall. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a songwriter. I used to think I just wanted to be a singer because singing was my first love. But ever since I discovered songwriting, I developed a passion for telling stories. I grew up listening to a lot of classic rock and rock n’ roll with my parents in the car on the radio. The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Billy Joel…absolute legends. Later on, I discovered country music. The storytelling is so exquisite. Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, and Taylor Swift were my favorites, and they are still some of my biggest influences to this day. 

I am known for being a vocalist and performer, but I am most proud of the songs I’ve built up in my catalog so far and the road I’m taking to perfect my writing craft. I mostly write country, but oftentimes I just write whatever I’m feeling. My end goal is to be an artist and write my own songs, but I also love writing different types of songs for other artists to cut. There are so many possibilities and stories to be told. Some of my current inspirations include Thomas Rhett, Tenille Townes, and Carly Pearce. 

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
My boldness is the one characteristic I think will be the most important to my success. Years ago, I used to be too shy to speak up and get what I wanted. I have realized that’s not an option if I want to make it in the music industry. I have to be bold if I want people to notice me and respect me. 

Contact Info:

• Email: For music inquiries: [email protected], For National Anthem performance inquiries: [email protected]
• Website: https://ariannapappas.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariannapappasmusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ariannapappasmusic/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ariannapappas27
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCckH25jf_a8m1i_5-lgikqQ/featured
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/arianna-p-3/tracks
• Other: TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZTd9nPt5Q/

Image Credits
Ashley Alfermann
Chris Suppa