Laura Bryna

International recording artist Laura Bryna is busy recording her second album, working on television projects, serving as spokeswomen for the National Guard, and is a True Country host. The beautiful singer took time out of her hectic schedule to sit down with TheCelebrityCafe.com to discuss her current and future projects, singing, and her birds!

TCC: You are busy with a lot of different projects. What are you loving the most?

LB: Just to be able to do what you love is really amazing. I'm getting to host a show, singing, doing some acting, kind of all of the above. Everything is really a lot of fun, I love being busy. That's something my parents always said, "You know how to manage your time." People ask if I take a vacation and when you love what you do, everything is a vacation. I’m just loving it all, to tell you the truth.

TCC: You’ve been working on a second album as well. What can we expect from your sophomore album?

LB: It's got a new sound. It's got country in there, but it’s got some pop, rock, R&B, and I love all different styles of music so I kind of make my own genre. It’s going to have a lot of different flavors in it and I’m just showing that I’m growing. I’m being an artist and getting out there and figuring out Laura Bryna and trying to be me!

TCC: I am very excited to hear your new album. Do you know when it will be released?

LB: We’re on the second and third song right now so we are thinking probably around August or September, but like they say in construction, they give you a date but it’s not for two more months down the road. But there is no hurry, we want to make it right.

TCC: Exactly! You want to make it feel right and personal. How do you think the events in your life have shaped your new album?

LB: I always love the fun sassy attitude song, but on this album I said to Rob Boldt, who is my producer, “You know, this time I have to have single songs on this and let this be inspiring to single chicks out there!” There will be a couple of those. There’s still the fun sassy attitude. It’s going to be that inspiring kind of thing like we’ve been looking for love and all about that idealistic smushy kind of stuff. A fairytale thing!

TCC: You’re a host for True Country. What has it been like to be a part of that?

LB: It’s been really, really great. True Country’s really awesome because it’s the first country music mobile entertainment channel. That’s a mouthful to say, but you can download it to your phone and watch it on the web and on your T.V., but it’s a new way of the world. I think Jude Law recently did a movie and it’s going straight to your phone.

True Country’s really on the edge and it’s for the fans. We talk about music and country, and more about “Hey, what’s your favorite color or your favorite dog.” There’s more of a personal touch to it, and it is its own social network that goes along with Twitter and Facebook. I was excited to join the True Country crew because I didn’t want it to be gossipy and I didn’t want it to be about that. True Country is about family and dedication and the country community.

Everyone is so nice and has a great relationship with other artists. Having been on tour with other artists, I’m not going to talk smack about them. We get the scoop on inside things like tours and what is someone’s favorite makeup. Fans want to know that kind of thing and to be closer to their favorite artist.

TCC: I follow your Twitter, and I noticed that you just saw Fences with Denzel Washington on Broadway!

LB: Oh my gosh, it was amazing! Barbara Streisand was sitting right in front of me!

TCC: Are you still in New York City?

LB: Yes, I’m actually in New York right now doing some different meetings. We’re doing a pilot for a radio show that I would be hosting so we're doing that here, too. It’s really exciting. New York City is so much fun! I love coming up here because it’s so cultural. I love walking around the streets and shopping and going to museums.

TCC: Where is your favorite place to shop in New York?

LB: I have a severe illness. I love Roberto Cavalli. It’s a severe illness. He’s been very kind to me and helpful with my career. I’ve been very blessed with my relationship with him and all his employees are super fantastic.

TCC: In addition to music, you’re involved with T.V. projects as well. What is on the burner for the future?

LB: I have been working on hosting shows with different networks, but I can’t really talk about it because we're in negotiations still. I am getting back into some acting things, as well. I’m one of those people who love to do it all, and I love entertaining people and making people smile and touching their hearts. So we’ve been working on that and music and all of the above. It’s been crazy nuts but I’m loving every minute of it.

TCC: What is the best advice you have ever been given?

LB: I would say, and it’s something I would turn into too, don’t let anybody say no. Don’t let anyone tell you “no” for an answer. It’s really about believing. If you don’t believe, how can anybody else believe? I think really learning as much as you can and not being afraid to ask as many questions as you can is important. It’s something my dad has always said to me: "You’re not stupid for asking questions, you’re the smart one for asking questions." Also, listen to what people are saying, and it doesn’t mean you have to take their advice, but listen to it because obviously there’s some truth to it. Take bits and pieces of it, but don’t take no for an answer.

TCC: That is great advice! What is your favorite song to perform?

LB: That’s a hard question. Well, I would say one that is really a moment for me is singing “Hometown Heroes.” A lot of times when we’re touring, we try to bring the local military on stage. Obviously my affiliation with the National Guard has meaning to me. Whatever the branch is, we bring them up on stage. It’s amazing to really see how much people support these brave men and women because they have courage like it’s nobody’s business, and that is such an honor to be a part of the military family. You see love and dedication for their country and to watch that and be an outsider watching that is incredible. It is such an honor for me to represent the National Guard, whether it’s with their advertising campaign or whatever it may be. The song really speaks to anyone who is a hero, even the local fire department or someone who starts up a children’s theater, whatever, everybody is a hero in some way, shape or form.

TCC: How do you prepare for performances?

LB: I know this is going to sound so weird, but I like to take four hours before to get ready. I eat, I’ll do my hair and makeup because a) I enjoy doing it and b) it’s very relaxing to me. Yes, I have people who do my hair and makeup for music videos and the red carpet, but that’s my time to think about the show and think about what I’m going to say about the city and think about what’s relatable to the city. You also want to bring it to your fans. They’re the ones who allow you to be on the stage everyday and live your dream, and so it’s important to be ready. I eat and warm up and do meet-and-greets and get my adrenaline going. It’s hard to come off of that after the show because going onstage is a big high and it takes a couple of hours to come off of that.

TCC: When you are on-stage performing, what is going through your head? What do you think about?

LB: It’s about connecting with the audience, really. I try to connect with each and every person in the audience. When you are playing an arena, you want to make sure to reach the person in the back row. Yes, you want to remember your lyrics, but if you forget the lyrics your fans will remember them for you! But you definitely want to bring the fans what they want.

TCC: Do you have any hidden talents?

LB: I do a lot of different animal noises like cow, pig, and monkey.

TCC: That’s hilarious! What kind of music do you listen to?

LB: Everything! I feel like that’s how you make your style, and that’s who Laura Bryna is. Everything in my CD collection varies so much, from Elvis Presley to Snoop Dogg. There are hints and glimmers stuck in there and you’ve heard it in the first record, but you’ll hear a lot more of that, too, in the second one.

TCC: Who is your favorite artist?

LB: There are so many great artists, but one of my favorites is Elvis. Not that I was around when he was alive, but I like the songs that he sings his way. He was a black sheep and did things off of the beaten path. He said “This is who I am, handle it.” I like to push the edge, kind of like him.

TCC: What is the first album that you bought?

LB: My parents and I bought Thriller together. What a legend.

TCC: Yes, absolutely. What was the very first concert you went to?

LB: Oh my gosh you’re gonna die--Madonna! I also saw her concert at Dodger Stadium last year in Los Angeles and I wore the wrong shoes so I had blisters for months. She’s really great. Talk about somebody who’s changed with the times but is still very much herself.

TCC: Have you seen her Glee episode?

LB: I have seen bits and pieces of it. It’s a great show, but I didn’t get to see the whole thing.

TCC: What inspires you?

LB: Everyday inspires me, honestly. I approach life as a stage. I love living life so I try to take all my life experiences and things that I hope to experience and put it into my music or into a hosting event that I can relate to or a charity that I support.

TCC: On Twitter I saw that you filmed a PSA with the WE Movement. What was it like to work with them?

LB: Yes, it was really great. We did that on Friday. Obviously with the economy the way that it is, it’s a way to give back but not necessarily through money. It is a way to help if you have an extra shirt, extra textbooks, or if you can offer legal services or help with health care. It’s a great organization, and it’s really taken off. I know the Righteous Brothers are involved with the organization - I mean, talk about legends! I was so honored that they asked me to be a part of it.

TCC: That’s incredible! Do you live in Nashville or Los Angeles?

LB: I have a place in Nashville, but I live in Los Angeles. I am all over the place really, and I live in a suitcase, so, all of the above.

TCC: I read that you have birds!

LB: I have three birds, they’re my children. They’re in Nashville right now. This is hilarious--my dad and I are going to drive them out to Los Angeles, so talk about an adventure! It should be really interesting driving across the country with three birds. They like to look out the window and see what’s going on and they always have something to say, kind of like me. I definitely don’t need cable T.V. in my house - they’re a riot. If you sneeze, they’ll say “Bless you!” and at night they’ll say, “Time for bed, time for bed!” The others get riled up and say, "Put a cork in it snug." They blow me away. I miss them a lot when I’m on the road. They kind of have a career of their own. They’ve been in the New York Times, and Bird Talk Magazine, CMT, music videos of mine, and the Family Network. Fans are so sweet about them, also!

TCC: That will be such a fun adventure! Where are you off to next?

LB: Tomorrow I’m back to Los Angeles to go back into the recording studio.

TCC: You have a very busy schedule!

LB: Yes, but I like being busy!

TCC: What do you like to do in your downtime?

LB: I love to hang in bed, in my pajamas with face cream and my birds.

TCC: Well, that sounds good to me!

LB: Or get a face mask and put it on or take a nice bath. Do girly things.