How Zach Bryan Became an Overnight Indie Country Star | Interview + thoughts on 'DeAnn'

Some TIMESTAMPS for the interview: 8:23 Where are you/where do you live? 9:00 What do you do in Navy? 10:00 When did you get into music? 11:30 How are you handling the sudden rise? 13:40 Who are your musical influences? 16:45 Why did you start releasing stuff online? 18:30 Songwriting style... "messiness" 20:00 Discussing recording the album (and why there is laughter in the recording of "Condemned") 24:40 Talking about his low-fi production style, and why that is working 27:00 Tell me about DeAnn, your mother. 29:50 Discussing "God Speed" and hopefulness. 32:00 Where do you go from here? 34:15 Zach makes a clarification about his song "Felker."

2 years later and waiting for American heartbreak Zach Bryan was not a flash in the pan and his music is damn near perfect

I like the low productivity because it feels like he’s there around a fire with a guitar singing with the boys like it’s a recorded memory I think a lot of us have had moments like the scenario above also I think it complements the rawness of his voice completely. I’m not a country music fan at all I have a handful of songs I like but this guy right here is awesome and I can now say I’m genuinely a fan of a country artist.

I've become a fan.

Dude is gonna be the next big thing just wait.

Teared up hearing about deann. Embrace your talent your mother was right Zach.

Watching this and seeing how Zach has grown is insane. Same for Grady

Heading south is one of my favorites and god speed

I definitely prefer crappy iPhone porch vids rather than studio stuff

Just found Zach yesterday. This guy is incredible. Definitely our generations Johnny Cash. Don’t change man. Your sound is what makes you great.

Wanted to try something new on the channel, and so many of you have been telling me about your passion for this guy, Zach Bryan. Well, I loved his record, and he was kind enough to sit down to talk about it with me. It was fun to get a true independent artist perspective, something I haven't gotten to really show here on my channel. I give some thoughts about 'DeAnn' first, and then the interview starts around 8:00. We talk about his sudden rise, the low-fi nature of his output, his admiration for Jason Isbell and Evan Felker, and whole bunch more. Enjoy it y'all!

I love when service members become country artists. Just such a soul behind the music.

Colter wall!! You need to get Colter Wall on here ASAP! His voice is remarkable

Last November I lost my mother to alcoholism and a few days ago this album pops up in my related. I don't write songs but I do write as therapy and to come across this man's music at this point in time of the year can't be coincidence. There's too much going on in his music that I relate to. It makes me remember everything. The pain, the joys. And most of all, the little things. If I could sit and talk to Zach, I'd not only thank him for the music but for the fuel that has sparked a hundred different forgotten memories of her. I've cried more than I want to admit the past few days just listening to Sweet DeAnn but there's something so connecting about losing a mother. I didn't have a strong relationship with mine. She battles demons right up until the end. But now I remember the small hellos and the little things like the way her hair tickled my nose when we hugged. And of course, her laugh. Which I can proudly say I got from her. I've got a ton of things to say to my mom, but until I find the words, I'll let Zach so the speaking. That never ending ache.

This guy is so awesome. Not because I've heard his music (I will be now) but because of how humble and genuine he is!

Video idea: Top ten sad country songs

That's one of the coolest ways I've ever heard of an album being recorded! Buying a bunch of equipment and going and using mattresses as walls! Awesome. That adds so much more to the music. Knowing it's just raw talent and personal lyrics makes it....I don't even know what to say. I'm really not sure why I'm here, I don't listen to country much and not indie country at all. But everything about this adds so much heart and soul that so so much music is completely lacking these days. I love it. I hope to hell he keeps pursuing music. Thank you for the music and thank you for your service sir!

His approach to singing and song writing reminds me of Johnny cash

19:06 that line in Snow is LIFE. It cements Zachs greatness for me. Snow is one of my favorite songs.

2yrs later and Zach is a star