Saturday with Laura Bryna: 'It’s a burning desire of mine to trace my Cork roots'

American country star, Laura Bryna has shared the stage with the likes of Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood. Her single ‘Jawbreaker’ amassed over a million plays on Spotify, and her Christmas single Wishlist was a Billboard top 30. Bryna, dubbed 'the brunette Dolly Parton', is in Ireland this week to perform - but also to trace her Cork roots.

Laura Bryna talks to Amanda Cassidy about her creative process and how her parrots live better than she does.

6:00

I’m a crazy mum of several parrots, so there’s constant talking and singing in our house. It might not be a typical musician thing, but I do like to get up early.

This is my quiet time when I reflect and think about songs. I also love to start my day with exercise.

I’ll often go to an early dance class with a dear friend of mine. I enjoy the different movements, but mainly the music. 

And even though I don’t love ruining my nails, I sometimes try to fit in a little boxing too. I have a punching bag in my garage. 

Boxing helps to get out any stress that might have gone on during the week, but it’s also great fun!

8:00

I’ll usually have my shower and get ready. I have very big hair, so that takes some time. It might sound funny, but I get a lot of my song ideas while I’m blow-drying my hair! 

I keep a notebook in almost every room in the house, so when a creative thought hits, I’m ready. I even keep a notepad in the bathroom.

Then I’ll give the birds, who I call my babies, their breakfast. They are called Snowballs, Little One, Tyler and Harmony. My siblings and I grew up with birds.

We always had little love birds or cockatoos. To be honest, they live better than I do. My mom says that when she dies, she wants to come back as one of my birds! 

They eat lettuce, egg whites, mango, papaya, their pellets and of course, their vitamins. I’ll have yoghurt and blueberries.

10:00

I’m always working on my craft. I’m constantly learning and coming up with songs, going over old songs. It’s like going to the gym - it’s a workout in itself because your voice is a muscle too. 

I’ll usually go over things with my vocal coach, who is a dear friend of mine too. I spend a lot of time on the road touring. I live between LA and Nashville, where we’ve just finished writing some great tracks.

I’m so excited about releasing them once I return from Ireland. It’s been such a burning desire of mine to trace my Irish family roots.

My mum’s side of the family is originally from Cork – The Cummings. I always get the loveliest messages from my Irish fans.

12:00

I’ll look at all my different notepads around the house and see what crazy things I’ve come up with to work into my music. 

You never know what will spark an idea for a song or a melody!

2:00

I like to meet my girlfriends for a bite to eat on a Saturday afternoon and just enjoy “normal” life.

We talk about what’s going on in each other’s lives. In fact, my single, ‘Certified’ came about because a girlfriend of mine was talking about this guy she met and he was kind of… not great, and I’m like ‘let’s take this and push it to the nth degree’.

I always like to push the edge, it’s a motto of mine, actually. I’m not a huge drinker. but I also love to celebrate a good time. My real weakness is freshly whipped cream. I can’t get enough of it.

5:00

I go to the studio in the evenings. On the way there, I’m usually on the phone with PR management, booking agents, marketing, talking about social media and when the tour is coming up.

Then I’m in rehearsal with the band to go over new songs. I absolutely love being creative in the studio, but touring is special.

There’s something about being on stage – that connection with the audience, making them feel things. My parents always instilled in me the importance of giving back. I just want to make others happy.

I’ve played in coffee houses, and I’ve played in stadiums, but it’s always with the same goal: to bring people together so we can all share this musical journey.

9:00

Sometimes I’m out and about in the evenings with friends. Every weekend is so different, but I do love getting into bed with the birds and slathering on my face cream, watching reality TV so my brain switches off a little. 

I love Million Dollar Listings and Selling Sunset. In fact, I see a lot of them around my neighbourhood. 

I can see the Hollywood sign from my house. Then I enjoy my very stiff drink; a glass of warm milk, with whipped cream, of course.

I sleep dreamlessly, unless a song idea pops into my head, and then I’ll wake up and scribble it down on my notepad.

To keep up with Laura’s music, news and tour details, check out Laurabryna.com or follow her on Instagram: @laurabryna