Today we’d like to introduce you to Vinessa Burnett
Hi Vinessa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up, music was always a huge part of my life. My dad’s diverse taste in music constantly filled our house and we would frequently have car jam sessions on the way to school. Additionally, my grandpa could play any string instrument by ear, which completely captivated me as a child. Inspired by him (and also because my parents gave me little choice haha!), I started taking piano lessons in first grade and guitar lessons in fifth grade. I was also in choir at various points throughout middle school, high school, and even college, which continued to fuel my passion for music and gave me an opportunity to grow into my voice.
Even though I loved music, it wasn’t until later in life that I started taking songwriting seriously. In my teen years and throughout adulthood, I had dabbled in writing songs, but it wasn’t until 2019, when my grandpa passed away, that I found myself wanting to really share my music. The day that he passed, I wrote a song called, “Something About This Rain” that I eventually recorded and performed at his funeral. This was a turning point for me. I knew he was looking down on me smiling and would want me to continue using my gift of music to uplift others, just as he had done.
Less than two years later, I released my first official single, “Golden Girl” and released a music video for it. The positive feedback was incredible and assured me I was on the right path.
The following year, I released “In the Morning,” a song I dedicated to my grandma as a way to comfort and uplift her in her grief. Watching her cry the first time she heard it was a special moment that I will never forget.
Fast forward to July 2024, I released my debut album, “Prime,” which featured a collection of songs I had written since 2021. Recording an album had always been just a pipe dream, but it became a reality after a friend visited me in summer 2023. At one point during her visit, she asked me, “What’s the biggest goal you can accomplish this year?” That’s when I realized that releasing an album was it. Just a few weeks later, I was getting to work on the project and continued to work on it for almost a year until it was released.
Although stressful at times, working on the album gave me a renewed sense of purpose. It gave me a way to channel my emotions and process the things I was going though. It was very therapeutic for me and also stretched me as a creative by forcing me to step outside of my comfort zone and experiment. More than anything, it showed me that anything is possible once I set my mind to it and that I am capable of doing more than I can ever imagine.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. I have dealt with a lot of doubt and negative self-talk. And at times, I have let the dissenting opinions of others get to me.
When I first started singing, it took me a while to really find my voice. Growing up, I quickly noticed that my voice didn’t sound like the other powerhouse voices I heard around me. I couldn’t belt out from my diaphragm, hit certain high notes, or do riffs. I felt very limited and defined by what my voice could and couldn’t do.
But as I started writing songs —songs that were suited for my voice—I found myself growing more and more comfortable singing and stepping into my identity as a singer-songwriter. During those early days, the support of my family helped assure me that there were people who would enjoy listening to me and that it was okay if I didn’t sound like the next Beyonce.
I also had to break free from comparing myself to the other musicians I knew who played guitar and piano incredibly well. I think as a musician, you naturally compare yourself to the best musician you know and use them as the standard by which you judge your skillset by, which is unfair to you and your craft. It’s something I still wrestle with, in terms of not feeling like a good enough piano or guitar player because I can’t do “xyz”, but in those moments I try to remind myself of all the things I *can* do and rest in the fact that that is more than good enough.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work in human resources by day and unleash my passion as a singer-songwriter and musician at night. My music traverses the realms of alternative, R&B, pop, rock, and folk, drawing in listeners through heartfelt melodies and raw, emotive lyrics. I am most proud of releasing my debut album, “Prime,” on July 23, 2024. This album is not just a collection of songs, but the culmination of my lifelong passion for music and the realization of a big dream. I strive to make music that makes people feel seen and heard –to remind them that they are not alone in what they feel and experience.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Yes! It is so important to find people who have already done what you are doing. When I decided to start working on “Prime”, the first thing I did was call my friend Ladi, a talented singer-songwriter and musician from Dallas that had previously released an album.
After I told him my goal of releasing an album, I immediately asked him, “What are my next steps?” From there, Ladi took me under his wing – from helping me workshop the songs, record demo tracks, and even connecting me to his producer– Ladi served as a mentor to me and I am grateful for all the ways in which he helped me take the project from being an idea to a reality.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/vinessaburnett
- Instagram: @vinessa95
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/vinessa95
Image Credits
Main photo in green outfit and holding guitar: Gareth Neckles (GKN Photos)
Prime album cover and smiling photo with arms crossed and eyes closed : Maia Tharp (Maia Art Media)
