A native to Nashville, singer/songwriter Kelleigh Bannen was just named to Nashville Lifestyles Most Beautiful People 2019 list! It’s the publication’s 20th edition of the list which states that beauty is more than skin deep.
Bannen also recently released a music video for her song “Diamonds” off her forthcoming debut album, Favorite Colors. Before its release, Bannen teased she might need to be added back to Sue Bannen‘s (her mom) prayer list.
WARNING: The “Diamonds” music video is a little steamy, proceed with caution.
Bannen’s previous music videos have not heavily featured on-screen romances so this is a first for the singer and was a bit awkward. She recently did a Q&A on her Instagram stories where she answered questions about the music. She admitted she told the actor, Brendon Beck who plays her love interest that he was going to have to help her out and that she had never done this before. The two never lock lips, but get rather close in a teasing and steamy way. Bannen admitted to doing a shot with Beck before the filming took place so they could both just go for it.
In Bannen’s debut music video, “Sorry on the Rocks,” she had to simply hold hands with another man, which felt strange for the singer who has been married since 2003. She stated at the time:
“I’m married. I’ve been married for a while, so it was funny just holding hands with someone else that wasn’t Jeff (her husband). I kept getting real embarrassed about it, but he was really great and so sweet, and his wife was there too, so it wasn’t weird. But it was like, ‘Oh, that’s new. I haven’t been holding hands with anyone other than Jeff in a long time.’”
“Diamonds” is the final music video and song to be released ahead of the much anticipated release of Favorite Colors due out October 11.
It’s less than a month until Kelleigh Bennen releases her highly anticipated debut album Favorite Colors. The album will be out October 11, until then, Bannen has been dropping songs off the album to give fans a taste of what’s to come.
Fans are familiar with three (of the 14) previously released tracks, when they came out last year in the form of the EPThe Joneses. Ahead of the release, Bannen has also released songs “Deluxe” “Boys Don’t Cry” and “Faith In You” accompanied by music videos. Her new release, “Diamonds” appears to be the final song to be released ahead of the album’s debut. Bannen has previously shared that she shot 4 music videos in one week, this summer.
LISTEN TO “DIAMONDS” BY KELLEIGH BANNEN
Billboard previously debuted “Diamonds” and was told about the inspiration for the song, which was inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s over the top performance of “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.” Bannen explains how she came up with the line “diamonds are the way I get stoned” and the song grew from there.
Via Kelleigh Bannen on Instagram
“It got me thinking about ways I could rewrite that idea: An ode to diamonds, but somehow make it about more than just the stone itself. We spent the day just trying to figure out how to make [‘Diamonds’] both about the bling, but also about the kind of love that makes you wanna put a ring on it.
I started playing the song out around town, and it was so fun for me to perform, it became an early favorite when we started narrowing down songs for the album. It’s probably my favorite song to sing from the album, and I love how the track turned out. It feels kind of vintage and modern at the same time.”
via Kelleigh Bannen on instagram
It appears that Bannen may have also found inspiration from a Beatles song “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” as she sings “Ain’t no temporary high/Talking way up like Lucy in the sky/Sparkle like a disco ball on the ceiling kinda feeling/Half a karat is enough but/If you really wanna see me buzzed/You can keep mixed up drinks/And your rolled up smoke/Cause diamonds are the way I get stoned.”
“Diamonds” showcases Bannen’s soulful voice without being overpowered by the rest of the production. It’s a love song about a long lasting love and not wanting something temporary but something meaningful and permanent. She doesn’t need other ways to feel good, because she has that love that lifts you up and makes you feel like you’re on cloud nine. Diamonds here are just a reference to that feeling. Although they are very shiny and pretty to look at, Bannen uses them as a metaphor for the love and commitment they represent. #MarriageGoals.
Favorite Colors Tracklist
“Damn, I Still Love You” (Kelleigh Bannen, Will Bowen, Scott Stepakoff)
“Deluxe” (Bannen and Danielle Blakey)
“Boys Don’t Cry” (Bannen, Todd Clark, Jason Saenz)
“Diamonds” (Bannen, Stepakoff)
“Your Favorite Colors” (Bannen, Bowen)*
“The Joneses” (Bannen, Clark, Travis Wood)**
“Suit” (Bannen, Claire Douglas, Dallas Wilson)
“Faith In You” (Bannen, Clark, Sean Van Vleet)
“Sleeping Alone” (Bannen, Bowen)*
“John Who” (Bannen, Bowen, Christopher Rafetto)
“Haters” (Bannen, Jennifer Hanson, Jason Lehning)
“Time Machine” (Bannen, Mark Trussell)
“Happy Birthday” (Bannen, Claire Douglas, Wilson)
“Long Shadow” (Bannen, Bowen, Tia Sillers)* *Produced by Will Bowen **Produced by Todd Clark
Singer/Songwriter and Podcast Host Kelleigh Bannen is releasing “Boys Don’t Cry,” a track off her highly-anticipated album Favorite Colors, due out on Oct. 11th. “Boys Don’t Cry” is about picking yourself up after a breakup and moving on, and was written by Bannen, Todd Clark and Jason Saenz. To hear the full song along with previously released “Deluxe,” and “Faith In You” or to pre-order Favorite Colors, click (HERE).
“Boys Don’t Cry” is a cross between a breakup anthem and a letter to my younger self. At a certain point, you just have to decide to move on. If he’s not spending his time thinking about you, don’t waste another second of your life thinking about him. This song is about that, and it’s a lighthearted way to encourage your friends to get up, get it and start moving on,” said Bannen.
LISTEN TO “BOYS DON’T CRY”
Bannen launched a playful social media campaign to coincide with the release of the song, encouraging influencers to share some of their favorite breakup movie titles, guilty pleasures and more. She’s received early support across social media and fans can join in on the campaign by visiting Bannen’s instagram (HERE)
Favorite Colors features 14 songs, all of which Bannen co-wrote and is loaded with the type of wit, playfulness and fierceness that Bannen is known for. Lead track “Deluxe” was featured by CMT,Rolling Stone’s 10 Best Songs To Hear Now and The Boot’s Songs You Have To Hear. Favorite Colors includes Bannen’s much-loved and critically-acclaimed trio of songs; “John Who,” “Happy Birthday” and “The Joneses,” all of which debuted simultaneously on Sirius XM’s The Highway. Most recently, People.com premiered the music video for the empowering, fan-favorite song “Faith In You,” that details the story of boxing champion Heather Hardy “The Heat.” View it here: https://bit.ly/2H4HSBv.
The day we at Variety Beat have been waiting for has finally arrived, Nashville native Kelleigh Bannen is finally releasing her debut Country Album Favorite Colors. The news came on the release of her second song off the album called “Faith In You.”
The album has 14 tracks, all of which were co-written by Bannen. Three of the songs make look familiar as they were on her latest EP releaseJohn Who.
There are multiple album packages available for pre-order which all contain signed album copies! There is even a signed vinyl available! We definitely ordered the largest package and can’t wait to be sporting these tees!
“Damn, I Still Love You” (Kelleigh Bannen, Will Bowen and Scott Stepakoff)
“Deluxe” (Kelleigh Bannen and Danielle Blakey)
“Boys Don’t Cry” (Kelleigh Bannen, Todd Clark and Jason Saenz)
“Diamonds” (Kelleigh Bannen and Scott Stepakoff)
“Your Favorite Colors” (Kelleigh Bannen and Will Bowen)*
“The Joneses” (Kelleigh Bannen, Todd Clark and Travis Wood)**
“Suit” (Kelleigh Bannen, Claire Douglas and Dallas Wilson)
“Faith In You” (Kelleigh Bannen, Todd Clark and Sean Van Vleet)
“Sleeping Alone” (Kelleigh Bannen and Will Bowen)*
“John Who” (Kelleigh Bannen, Will Bowen and Christopher Rafetto)
“Haters” (Kelleigh Bannen, Jennifer Hanson and Jason Lehning)
“Time Machine” (Kelleigh Bannen and Mark Trussell)
“Happy Birthday” (Kelleigh Bannen, Claire Douglas and Dallas Wilson)
“Long Shadow” (Kelleigh Bannen, Will Bowen and Tia Sillers)*
Produced by Jaren Johnston
*Produced by Will Bowen
**Produced by Todd Clark
See the press release below!
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 19th, 2019) – Multi-faceted Podcast Host and Singer/Songwriter Kelleigh Bannen is announcing the release of her new album Favorite Colors, due out on Oct. 11th. Favorite Colors is being released independently, and is loaded with the type of wit, playfulness and fierceness that Bannen is known for. She co-wrote all of the 14 tracks, crafting songs that are truthful and force the listener to read between the lines. CMT premiered the music video for Bannen’s swaggering retro-rock anthem and lead single “Deluxe,” a song that sets the tone and highlights Bannen’s bold aesthetic, and was named in Rolling Stone’s the 10 Best Songs To Hear Now and The Boot’s Songs You Have to Hear. Listen to “Faith In You,” here: http://smarturl.it/KBFaithInYou.
Kelleigh’s tell it like it is approach in her songwriting and her unapologetic style, has garnered a groundswell of support from fans and industry insiders and press including NPR who named her as one of “25 music-makers adopting varied approaches at varied stages of their careers…offering a …revealing portrait of how country adjusted in 2018– and, for that matter, how it might look going forward.” CMT called her an artist that, “…has never compromised the integrity of her sound or her point of view as a storyteller” and Taste Of Country added, “Bannen is an artist who is always equipped with a determined story to tell.”
Kelleigh has tenaciously continued to build her career with the release of her critically-acclaimed EP The Joneses, the launch of podcast This Nashville Life and by embracing the artistic freedom that comes along with being an independent artist. Proving successful early on, Bannen debuted the three tracks from her The Joneses EP on Sirius XM’s The Highway, making history as the first artist to ever debut three tracks at Sirius XM simultaneously. Program Director J.R. Schumann added, “Going through Kelleigh’s new music, it became clear almost immediately that picking a ‘first single’ was going to be really tough…so we decided since all of the music is this great, why not just go with all three…”
Favorite Colors is the follow up to that successfully launched independent release, and includes the acclaimed trio of songs from the project along with the pair of tracks “Deluxe” and “Faith In You,” which were recently revealed. Favorite Colors is a collection of songs that share a variant palette of emotional shades, specifically when it comes to love – a reflective, mature and well oiled perspective. Offering up a soft sentiment and vulnerability, “Favorite Colors” shares in the nuances of mourning the loss of a relationship. “Time Machine” revels in the nostalgia of memories and “Diamonds” is a powerful statement about the permanent impact of real love, cemented and written in stone. Produced by Jaren Johnston (The Cadillac Three), the album combines an analog approach mixed with a twist of modern country production. The dynamic, pop-rock driven soundscapes affect with fearless delivery, and one that is elevated by Kelleigh’s soulful-leaning, raw vocals and compelling storytelling. Favorite Colors features a roster of collaborators including songwriters Claire Douglas, Todd Clark and Will Bowen, with three tracks also produced by Bowen. The full tracklisting is included below.
The Music City native was named in NPR’s Portrait Of A Subtly Changing Nashville, as a woman who is “…figuring out how to circumnavigate roadblocks in the system…with all sorts of shrewd professional and artistic strategies.” The singer/songwriter and artist is also the host and producer of podcast This Nashville Life, which was featured by The Washington Post, NPR’s On Point and on iTunes as ‘New & Noteworthy.’ This Nashville Life has quickly gained popularity and includes guest interviews, industry tips and insights from music business executives and creatives. Fans can tune into This Nashville Life and listen to the recently released Season 3 episodes and more by visiting ThisNashvilleLife.com. For more information, visit kelleighbannen.com/.
Kelleigh Bannen doesn’t scrimp on the good stuff in her new single “Deluxe.” Last summer, Bannen released her three single EP, The Joneses, which garnered support on SiriusXM The Highway, having all three songs play at the same time – a first in their history.
That’s a pretty incredible accomplishment and as one of CMT’s The Next Women of Country, Bannen is nothing but incredible. She first stumbled onto the Country music scene in 2012 with her single “Sorry on the Rocks” followed by “Famous.” Both songs charted in the top 50 at Country Radio, but it was not enough to allow Bannen to release a full length album.
It’s common in the industry, especially with a new artist. They test singles, see how well they do and then decide if they are willing to spend more time and money on them. This is the kind of conversation Bannen talks about on her podcast This Nashville Life. It’s a sort of behind the scenes look about how the music industry is, from the glitz and glam to the hardships. Even the most successful songwriters sometimes do not get a hit song for ten to fifteen years.
Bannen herself has shared how difficult it is to grow a fanbase when an artist is only able to release a song every 12-18 months. That is why albums are so important. They allow listeners to hear all the dynamic sides of the artist and not just the most radio friendly song they have to release.
Every listener wants music that will speak to them. Sure, they want the ones they can roll down the window to and blast, Bannen has those too (see “Landlocked” “Famous” “Welcome to the Party”).
She also has the songs that get to the heart of country music, the ones that make you feel emotions you did not know you still even had (see “Happy Birthday” and “Church Clothes”).
Bannen has been working hard on new music, even revealing that she has already shot four upcoming music videos for her new album that will be out later this year! Her first single from the album is a love story with a little something extra called “Deluxe.” Written by Bannen and Danielle Blakey, “Deluxe” is a mix of soul and soft rock as Bannen’s vocals sing:
Deluxe 22% tipper Buffet dinner on a date night Just because Like to do it on 10 You can say that again You don’t scrimp On the good stuff
Photo Credit: John Shearer
“Deluxe” has versatile melodics that can be played during a night out, to a lover, while getting ready, or even on repeat in the car if you can’t get enough. It’s everything a love song should be without feeling overdone. Share this one with a friend or listen while you’re missing that special someone.
Bannen is equally excited to put out new music, saying:
“I just loved the idea for this song, about being a love with a little extra, and still being very relatable to so many people. I had the title for a while and finally was able to write and record it. I’m excited to be able to share it with my fans.”
WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR “DELUXE” – NEW SINGLE BY KELLEIGH BANNEN
For fans who have been waiting for new music from Bannen, it is a very special and emotional time! Fans in other countries were treated to the song early in the day and Taylor Rolfe from Australia told us what it means to her:
It means everything to have Kelleigh release new music because who doesn’t love new music from one of their favourite artists?? I also get to share her music off to my friends in my spotify playlist that I update every month! It’s a sense of pride when you play new music to a friend and then they fall in love with that artist as well.
