A Magical Melody, Bringing Our Community Together
Kodey Brims
Australia / Spain
I'm from Australia, near Brisbane. I went to the US for college, I was there for four and a half years, Berkeley College of Music in Boston, where I met my fiancé. We then moved to Nashville for a year, and we are now based in Spain. I was inspired by a teacher during high school and my parents really encouraged me to pursue my music career.
I did the audition and got into Berkeley, which was the best time of my life, I studied songwriting and that was such a dream for me, especially, I've been inspired by them when I was a teenager and then I got to take them in a class. I teach music and I perform when I can when things are open, but I'm still writing, still making music.
Link to an original from Kodey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y69FeIuDLUQ&feature=youtu.be
What was your inspiration?
So I guess in Australia, that was where I really found the inspiration. I’ve been playing an instrument throughout my life. That was really exciting, and a cool thing for me to do.
I was inspired by the type of music my parents like, you know, the eighties and rock music, that kind of thing. I would say Australia was where I was initially really inspired.
Then Boston was where I was inspired to discover so many more things. Where I discovered I can do lots of different things in a career of music. Which is really great.
Nashville really helped me focus my artistic vision. Also what direction I want my music to go in.
Travel has influenced me so much. I think I wouldn't be the person I am. I wouldn't be on the path I am today. I guess also especially going to college in Berkeley has such a big international student base. Meeting other people and learning from their experiences as well.
What challenges have you faced?
I think the biggest challenge I have personally is getting over self-doubt. It's a constant thing because music is such a personal thing. Then you always have to put yourself out there and you always have to face rejection and you do have to be okay with that. So self doubt just really puts me back sometimes when it shouldn't.
I just have to overcome that, continue to try and continue to put myself out there. I guess I just take a moment. My self-talk is sometimes, I'm too far gone with this now I've done it too much, I have to keep trying!!
I think another pretty big challenge is fighting to get paid for your job because a lot of people would just want you to do it for free.
‘Hey, can you just play for us? You know, free exposure’ (because that's going to pay my bills!).
What have you found to be your best resources?
My musician friends from college (I love them all so much). The musicians in Nashville, and their work ethic, and how they will sit down and write a song or two every single day. Just seeing that is what has inspired me a lot!
What advice do you have for your peers?
I don’t think there are specific steps you need to take, I think you need to just put yourself out there, and look for those opportunities.
It doesn't matter what level you are, just do it. The more that you connect with other people, the more, you know, gigs, open mikes two or whatever it is in music. The more you do it, the better you get at it. And the more music people you will get around you. I think I wholeheartedly believe with music you really, you do not need a degree to make it your career.
I'm just lucky that I got that experience because I think with music, you learn more from people around you than you would have by yourself. So just to keep trying and just keep moving forward and whether or not it's your full-time job, you're still pursuing it and it’s still what you love to do.
During lockdown in Spain Kodey played for her community on the rooftop for everyone to enjoy!
https://www.facebook.com/kodeybrimsmusic/videos/1506154232884828/ Link to rooftop video!
Around two weeks went by, and I hadn't done anything. My fiancé and her mom were telling me you should do it. I was like, Oh no, I don't want to, no, it'd be in anyone's way. And they're like, no, just do it.
I was lucky enough to be living in a place that had a balcony. There was nobody who was doing it. So I thought, well, I'll just get up and do it. I had my amp projected across everywhere, I was just doing some songs and people got really into it!! So I kept doing it and yeah, it was really fun.
I think at the time that I did it differently, people were feeling really down with COVID & lockdown and we got to have a little time together as a community, and then I got to meet them. That was really cool.
Want to connect back with Kodey?
Youtube- https://www.youtube.com/user/KodeyLuci
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/kodeybrimsmusic/
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/kodeybrimsmusic/?hl=en