Kelleigh Bannen has been using her time in quarantine wisely.
While the Country singer/songwriter has been taking time to slow down the pace due to the Coronavirus pandemic, she’s still keeping herself busy with her Apple Music show and her new single “The Optimist,” which is now available on all streaming platforms.
Co-written by Bannen, Will Bowen and Claire Douglas, the song was recorded in Bannen’s kitchen during quarantine and takes a reflective look at one of the most important relationships in her life, detailing glimpses of simple, real-life moments that showcase how transformative love can be.
“The pace of all of our lives has slowed down so much, and I need a little extra hope right now… doesn’t everybody?” she said in a statement. “This song is about seeing the world with a fresh, and hopeful perspective. It was recorded as a simple piano vocal, and was only ever supposed to be a demo. When I heard the song back, it just struck me differently in this season we’re all weathering, so I wanted to share it.”
“The Optimist” follows Bannen’s highly-successful and independently released album Favorite Colors, which she co-wrote on all 14 songs. The record is loaded with the type of wit, playfulness and fierceness that she’s known (and loved) for, and features her signature tell-it-like-it-is approach and unapologetic style.
Celeb Secrets Country chatted with Bannen to talk about the new record and what she hopes listeners take away from it. She also teased what’s to come from her podcast and shared a fun secret about songwriting that you would be surprised to know.
You can connect with Kelleigh by following her on Instagram at @kelleighbannen. Let us know what you think of “The Optimist” by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sending us a tweet at @CS_Country.
Celeb Secrets Country: Have you faced any challenges with making music due to COVID, or are you enjoying the process?
Kelleigh Bannen: “To be honest, I’m not making a lot of music right now. I think that’s why it was actually so fun to get to sing on that song to begin with…I hadn’t really had a lot of chances to be making music.”
CSC: What do you want listeners to take away from listening to “The Optimist?”
KB: “Even if it’s just a slight encouragement… I want listeners to hear a little extra hope in it. Maybe there are even ways that this season of quarantine is turning them in to an optimist after all.”
CSC: Is “The Optimist” a taste of what’s to come from your new music (if any is on the way)?
KB: “Honestly, we never even planned to put it out… it was literally meant to be just a simple home demo. I don’t really know what’s next musically.”
CSC: Aside from making music, how have you been keeping busy during this time?
KB: “I’ve been really enjoying working on my show for Apple Music, Today’s Country. I get to interview a couple artists a week for that so it also keeps me connected to friends and music.
We’ve also started a little spinoff of my podcast that we’re calling ‘Song RX’ where we prescribe songs to people to cheer up their quarantine experience.”
CSC: What’s one thing you can’t wait to do once quarantine is over?
KB: “Drinks with friends!! Margaritas on a patio somewhere, please!”
CSC: Since we’re Celeb Secrets, do you have any secrets/fun facts about your songwriting process that we wouldn’t know?
KB: “The good stuff always feels like an accident. xx”