You’ve been singing since the age of four. How did you get started?
When I was a baby, my mum wouldn’t just sing lullabies, she’d play me operas! Apparently, instead of snoozing like any other baby, I became super interested in the music and began singing along. Even before I was old enough to know myself, my mum knew that I was going to have a passion for music.
What were some of your favorite songs as a child? Were your musical tastes influenced by your friends and family?
They were for sure! There’s something special about sharing music with loved ones. It’s like getting a window into their world.
As a teenager, I had three favorite songs to sing. The first was Doja Cat’s ‘So High’. I perform it with my band, Project 12, to this day. It has a vibe that transports me to another dimension. I also loved Russ’ ‘Goodbye’. It hit me right in the feels with its raw emotion. Finally, I’ve always loved jazz music, so I can’t forget to mention Dinah Washington’s timeless classic ‘What a Difference a Day Makes’.
You started writing your own tracks when you were 14-years-old.
Before then, I wrote a lot of short rhyming poems. One day, I shared my creations with my family. As I read my words aloud, a melody started to form in my head. I went over to the piano and just let the music flow. That’s how I wrote my very first song. I think it was about magic. From that moment I knew that music would always be a part of me.
How did you choose your artist name, Brunette?
When I was a teenager, my father was very strict. He kind of of cast a shadow over my desires. In general, in Armenia, it’s a bit difficult to express yourself freely, especially as a teenage girl. While everyone else was on social media, I was stuck on the sidelines because my father wouldn’t allow me to have a profile. Eventually, I made a secret account and named it Brunette—that’s what my friends used to call me because of my dark hair. I started posting covers on it. With each cover song I posted, I felt a sense of excitement, because I knew I was finally expressing myself. Since then, I haven’t changed my nickname. Now I’m proud that I don’t have to hide my true identity.
