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Desert

Dwelling Mama

An Interview with Adrian “Buckaroogirl” Brannan

Rodeo Life: What inspired your latest album Desert Dwelling RL: What was the driving force behind your book Dear Cowgirl:
Mama? How is this album different than your previous ones? Letters to Women? What do you hope women get out of
Adrian Brannan: This album was eons away from my first three this book?
projects. My first CD was all cowboy. I was thirteen when I wrote AB: Dear Cowgirl was really scary for me. It began as a letter
most of it, and fourteen when we recorded – I had no clue responding to a young woman who reached out to me when
what I was doing. I grew up through my music, in a way that trying to escape a violent relationship. I had just opened up
everyone could see through my writing. Desert Dwelling Mama about my experiences with abuse and sexual violence in an
was an album documenting growing up. It was documenting article in Western Horseman – and although I realized the
abuse, becoming something different than the first three albums implications of what I had shared on the record, it was still scary.
reflected, and a story about realizing your own worth and finding Then I started getting letters from people who could relate, but
joy. To me, this album is truly a story of healing and a way to never had known how to say it. That meant a lot to me that they
address the issues of abuse and violence within the western trusted me, that they felt like they could finally open up and
world in a different way. say something, and I realized that this image had been created
of the western world that was in some ways, inaccurate. I just
RL: What is your biggest influence when it comes to writing songs? wanted women (and men) to know that they are not alone.
AB: This is tough! I discovered Bob Dylan when I was about eight. Sometimes you feel like you’re alone swimming upstream in a
That literally changed my life, and funny enough I ended up river that will sweep you away – I just want them to see a hand
working with his drummer Winston Watson later on in my career reaching out. I want to remind them they are not alone, they are
at Wavelab Studio in Tucson. But then when I worked with Tom precious, and they are loved.
Russell in my second album (Boots & Pearls) I started actually
working on my writing. I really believe that there isn’t one RL: You’re known for marching to the beat of your own drum,
musical artist who has impacted my writing as much as growing why is it important for you to pursue your music career in your
up a reader has shaped me. A lot of my songs are ballads, and own way outside of the standards of country music in terms of
long drifting stories because I grew up reading great literature, song topics, appearance, sound, etc.?
all thanks to my parents and older sister. Hemingway has AB: Yes, I guess I am weird. I never looked at the music world
probably been a greater influence than a musical artist, because and said, “hey! I want to be a super star!” That has never been
he told stories in the way I wanted to. I just wanted them to something I’ve wanted nor pursued. I simply have a loud mouth
have a melody. and a lot to say – I really am a joyful person who wants to live lifeª

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