ICYMI: #WomanCrushWednesday IG Live featuring Natalie Brady

BY LAURA HARPER/WWR Staff Writer

As a singer-songwriter, entrepreneur, Women Who Rock Ambassador, mom, and so much more, few can say they tackle quite as much as the multitalented Natalie Brady.

While she often finds herself juggling with multiple projects at one time, Brady says she finds joy in all of her many roles as opposed to frequently becoming overwhelmed by the volume.

“I like having my hands in a lot of things I enjoy,” Brady said.

Growing up, Brady’s father was involved in music and exposed her to many different styles and genres that would eventually lay the foundation for her future career in music. While she lives in the country music capital of Nashville, Tennessee, she does not feel pigeonholed within the country genre; instead, she combines country with elements of rock and soul for a wholly unique sound.

Brady is part of a band called Natalie Brady and the Night Owls. Although the COVID-19 global pandemic put a halt on live music last year, Brady and her band took the opportunity to step back and think about what they really wanted. Specifically, they wanted to focus a bit more on their live performances, which they have been able to do recently now that venues are starting to reopen.

When it comes to making new music, Brady says the writing process is often a joint effort that involves everyone combining their separate ideas.

“In my personal experience, writing a song does not come naturally to me,” Brady said. “Working together, it just works out somehow.”

In addition to her success in her band, Brady also competed on The Voice. However, she was first approached by one of their talent scouts years before her appearance and turned them down, feeling as though she were not ready to compete at that time. Then, when she did join the show in season 15, she did not go into the show with the intention of winning.

“I went into it because it was a business decision,” Brady said. “I wanted the world to see me and my talent.”

For any other musicians who may want to try auditioning for The Voice or other similar competition shows like American Idol or America’s Got Talent, Brady’s best advice is to go for it and be authentic.

“Don’t go into it with the mindset that it will make or break your career,” Brady said. “Just go for it and be yourself.”

Brady says being yourself is very important as an artist because it helps you develop your own voice, which is especially important for women looking for a place in the male-dominated music industry. This belief encouraged her to jump on board with Women Who Rock and Spare Change for their ambassador program raising awareness and funds for women’s health research. After dealing with a neurological disorder and being told it was just anxiety at first, she wants to support women standing up for themselves and advocating for better care and better opportunities.

For more on Natalie Brady, you can check out the entire interview on the @OfficialWomenWhoRock IGTV channel on Instagram.