Sully Bright’s latest EP, Darling, Wake Up, is an album of love and fear. Born in the small town of Forest City near the mountains of North Carolina, Bright bonded over rock legends with his father (the Eagles are a favorite.) Bright began writing songs in high school, a pastime turned passion that shaped his life trajectory. Though he treasures his home, Bright moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University in 2020.
He is in his final year now at Belmont,where he studies songwriting and works as an intern with producer Lucas Morton. During his second year at Belmont, Bright became friends with John Pierson Smith, with whom he established the folk duo Spruce & Hollow. Spruce & Hollow released its first album earlier this year, and the pair actively play shows in Nashville and beyond. In the gaps between schoolwork, his partnership with Smith, and the rhythms of everyday life, Bright has been writing, recording,and producing throughout his time at Belmont.
Do you have any go-to albums to listen to in the van?
Poems, Prayers, Promises by John Denver. Songs like “Fire and Rain” covered by John Denver and “Sunshine On My Shoulders” are a go-to for road trips. John Denver’s lyricism is very inspiring to me. He usually writes about the mountains and longing to go to them. I feel like I often do that as well.
The Weatherman by Gregory Alan Isakov. This is one of my favorite records of all time. “Amsterdam” and “All Shades of Blue” are some of my favorite songs.
Have you Heard: Jim Croce Live by Jim Croce. This is THE record for me. Jim Croce is my favorite artist; has been and probably always will be. Although my music doesn’t really sound like his, his lyricism has had a huge effect on my songwriting. Songs like “I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song” to “New York’s Not My Home” are some of my favorites of his. Throughout the record, Jim takes you through each of his songs and tells you stories about them.
Who would you love to collaborate with? Why?
I would collaborate with Gregory Alan Isakov. His work has been very inspiring to me over the past couple years. To be able to write/sing a song with him would be amazing.
Who are some of your musical influences?
Townes Van Zandt, Jim Croce, Guy Clark, Gregory Alan Isakov, Drew Holcomb, and Glen Hansard.
This is a big list. There are a lot of older songwriters like Townes and Guy who have had a big impact on me. I think Guy, Townes, and Jim are poets first, then songwriters second. They are honest storytellers.
Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors has been a big influence on my style. He was one of the first Americana artists that I ever listened to. Songs like “The Wine We Drink” have stuck with me for a while. He was one of the artists that inspired me to start writing music.
Does your album have an overarching theme?
The overarching theme of my record is the feeling of longing. Whether it’s longing to go to the mountains or longing to see the light, “Darling, Wake Up” is hopeful. For most of my life, I have struggled with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The record tells my story of learning how to see the light from within that.
What’s the best way a fan can support you?
The best way a fan can support me is by sharing my music with others. The act of sending a song through text to another person goes a long way. Honesty, another way that a fan can support me is by following on Spotify and Instagram! Instagram is my main social media platform where you can find where/when I am playing shows and when more music is coming out.
Sully Bright — Official Instagram, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music
I am so proud of your accomplishments and I really like your music.
Such a beautiful song!! So enjoyed reading your interview and look forward to following you on Instagram. You are a very talented young man!