Brittany Ann Tranbaugh (pronounced TRAN-baw) is an award-winning singer/songwriter based in Philadelphia, PA. Originally from the Lehigh Valley area in PA, she kicked off her music career as a teenager playing at Godfrey Daniel’s, one of the country’s only remaining bona fide folk listening rooms. She has since performed all over the US and Canada in theaters, living rooms, basements, bars, coffee shops, backyards, and on festival stages including Firefly and Philly Folk Fest. Accolades include a 2021 Grand Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest for her song “Kiss You” and finalist spots in the Kerrville New Folk, LEAF NewSong, and Falcon Ridge Emerging Artists competitions. She has shared stages with Adrianne Lenker, Caroline Spence, Liz Longley, and Anthony Da Costa, to name a few.
You can expect to hear a new EP produced by Jackson Emmer and entitled “Quarter Life Crisis Haircut” in April 2022. In this new batch of memorable and thoughtfully crafted songs, she tackles a wide range of topics including her sixth grade queer awakening, an awkward run-in with an old acquaintance, and the impossibility of true folk music authenticity in this day and age. At times witty and sarcastic, at other times heartbreaking and raw, the EP undoubtedly showcases Tranbaugh’s finest work to date.
How do you feel your queer identity ties into your performance style or music?
On my new EP, which is my first release in nearly 12 years, I definitely don’t shy away from singing about my queerness. The first track “Kiss You” (which actually just won a country grand prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest) is about my first queer crush in middle school. It’s sweet and nostalgic but there’s a heaviness to it as well. There’s wholesome classic middle school crush imagery, but also imagery of crying in a bathroom stall just absolutely terrified for my future. It’s been beautiful hear how the song is resonating with folks. Being fully out as an artist has connected me to some wonderful fellow queer artists and fans. In the past year I’ve been making much more of an effort to play shows with fellow queer artists and amplify their voices however I can.
Do you start off with the music or lyrics first? Why?
Typically for me a song starts with a line or two of lyrics. I find the lyrics that come to me first usually end up being either the chorus or the first few lines of the first verse. I’ll write that line or two in the notes app on my phone, and if I find myself thinking about the idea a lot, I then start chipping away at the rest of the elements: a few more lyrics, then a melody, then the guitar part, then edit the lyrics. I prefer doing it this way because it helps to start the process by identifying my main point and/or the overarching feeling I want to convey.
Do you play covers at your shows? Why or Why not?
Yes! Last month me and my band played a monthly series called “Philly Sings Philly” where we covered 5 songs by other Philly artists. I was actually just thinking that going forward I always want to play a cover song by a fellow Philly artist at our shows. I’m proud to be a part of the Philly music scene and honestly just want to spread the Philly love wherever we play.
Recent release you cannot stop listening to?
I am completely captivated by the new Big Thief record, especially the folkier songs like Change, Certainty, Red Moon, and 12,000 lines. Adrianne Lenker is undoubtedly one of the best songwriters of our generation.
Is there a professional “bucket list” item you would love to check off?
Record a full length album with my new band, embark on a proper tour, open for Anais Mitchell and/or Erin Rae and/or Brandi Carlile, play Newport Folk Fest.