New York-based singer-songwriter and producer Brett Badner is steadily establishing himself within the independent pop landscape, combining infectious melodies, guitar-driven arrangements and emotionally honest storytelling. Having played guitar and written songs since the age of eight, he has developed a contemporary sound influenced by artists including Shawn Mendes, Niall Horan and Conan Gray, while maintaining complete creative control over his recordings.
His latest single ‘where did summer go?’ captures the bittersweet feeling of watching a seemingly endless summer disappear. Exploring nostalgia, fleeting romance and the passage of time, the track balances reflective songwriting with warm guitar textures and polished, energetic pop production.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Guitar. I picked it up when I was eight and never really put it down. It’s the most versatile instrument there is. It can be stripped-back and emotional or bright and upbeat, depending on what the song needs. Most of my songs, like my most recent single “where did summer go?”, still start with just me and a guitar, and when I’m not writing, I’m usually playing my favorite songs on it.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Pop, always. I listened to a bit of everything, but I had songs like “Dynamite,” “Hey, Soul Sister” and “Teenage Dream” on repeat when I was little. I loved the big hooks, fast tempos, and pure, fun vibe. That combination stuck with me, and it’s still what I’m chasing when I write.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I’m a streaming-era kid, so I’m not sure I ever owned a physical album. The first one I bought with my own money was Taylor Swift’s Red, as a birthday gift for my sister (I obviously loved it too). Mostly, I remember the radio. Z100 and KTU were always on, and that’s where I found most of the music I loved.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
If I had to pick one, it’s “Into You” by Ariana Grande. To me it’s the best pop song ever made: Max Martin and Ilya Salmanzadeh’s production, songwriting from Ariana herself alongside Max, Savan Kotecha and Ilya, her incredible vocals, an irresistible hook, and a melody that’s as rhythmic as it is catchy. Every element does its job. As a songwriter, I’m drawn to Bruce Springsteen’s “We Take Care of Our Own,” which provides meaningful social commentary through its lyrics while still being upbeat melodically.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Every song comes together differently, but one habit never changes: the second an idea hits, I capture it. Lyrics go into my notes app and melodies go into a voice memo, wherever I am. At this point I have thousands of voice memos on my phone. “where did summer go?” actually started as one: the melody, the title line, and a lot of humming. Plenty of those voice memos go nowhere, but a lot become real ideas, and you’ve only heard a few. I can’t wait to release more.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
A lot of early Maroon 5, especially the Songs About Jane era, and Bruce Springsteen’s Wrecking Ball has been in heavy rotation. On the newer side, I’m really into what sombr has been putting out. And I’m constantly inspired by the writing and production of Max Martin, Shellback, Savan Kotecha, Ryan Tedder and Ilya Salmanzadeh, and by who I’d call the greatest pop artists of my generation: Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Maroon 5. They can go from guitar-driven early records to massive pop songs that make you want to dance (like “Moves Like Jagger”), and Adam Levine is one of the best male pop vocalists of the last twenty years. Watching that from side stage every night would be a masterclass.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Getting to tell my own stories and share them with people. Because I do everything myself (writing, producing, mixing and mastering), it’s especially satisfying to take a song from a voice memo all the way to release. It’s a labor of love in the most literal sense.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Knowing when a song is done. As a solo producer, there’s no one to tell me to stop, so I can tweak a snare sound forever or go back and forth between two toplines for hours. Learning to commit and move on is still a work in progress.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
I recently watched a video where Ryan Tedder said that once you like how something sounds, commit to it. I can tweak sounds and mess around with different variations and plugins for days, or re-comp or re-record a vocal a million times, but since hearing that, I’ve tried to just commit and move on once I find something I like.
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Brett Badner's new single 'where did summer go?' is out now. Check it out in the player below.