Audra Watt is a singer-songwriter who blends the raw honesty of Indie Pop with the emotional depth of Americana. Her music lives in the space between strength and vulnerability — cinematic but grounded, intimate but unafraid to confront what’s real. With a voice that feels both familiar and arresting, Audra Watt writes about the messy, beautiful process of becoming yourself again and again.
Rooted in authenticity and reflection, her songs are less about perfection and more about truth — finding meaning in the in-between and turning life’s quiet moments into something that lingers long after the last note.
With “Livin’ it Up” out now, we took some time to hear from Audra Watt. Read below to learn more about Audra Watt, the story behind “Livin’ it Up,” and what’s to come.
Hi Audra Watt! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?
Honestly, it’s just my real name — the same one on my social security card. I thought about using something more mysterious or conceptual at one point, but my music has always been rooted in honesty and reflection. Audra Watt feels like both the artist and the person, no filter or alter ego — just me trying to tell the truth through songs.
What city are you from, and where are you based now?
I’m originally from Oregon, spent a few years in North Jersey just outside New York City, and have spent most of my life in Tennessee — split between Memphis and now Nashville, where I live. Moving between such different places definitely shaped me. I think it’s part of why I’m always reaching for truth and a sense of roots in my music — trying to find what stays real when everything else keeps shifting.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
I’ve always lived in two worlds — one in the medical device industry, which I love because it’s about helping people, and one in music, which has always been a way for me to make sense of life. I started writing songs as a personal outlet, but I didn’t start releasing music until later in life. Over time, I realized it wasn’t just something I did on the side — it’s a part of who I am. Music has always been about honesty and reflection for me, and it continues to guide me in ways that nothing else does.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
I’d say my sound sits somewhere between Indie Pop and Americana — cinematic, intimate, and a little raw. It’s melodic but honest, the kind of music that tries to capture moments of reflection, longing, and resilience. I want it to feel personal but also something listeners can step into and make their own.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
Honestly, I don’t have a ton of free time for hobbies — I work full time in the medical device industry and have two kids who are constantly on the move with soccer and other sports, so life is pretty full. For me, creativity isn’t something separate from life; it’s woven into the everyday. I write when I can, pay attention to moments that stick with me, and let those experiences shape my music. Even in the chaos, I find little pockets of inspiration everywhere.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
I’ve always thought of myself as a music fan first and a creator much later. Growing up, I was drawn to the storytelling of Billy Joel and Elton John, and the raw emotion of Tori Amos. In my teens, I got hooked on the angsty alt-rock of the ’90s — Fiona Apple, Garbage — and then in the early 2000s, the indie rock scene of the Pacific Northwest, like Death Cab for Cutie, really shaped me. I also fell for alt-country, artists like Ryan Adams and Whiskeytown, and more recently, I’ve been inspired by modern country and Americana songwriters like Kacey Musgraves, Jason Isbell, and Lori McKenna. All of these influences inform the way I approach melody, lyrics, and storytelling in my own music.
Who would be a dream to collaborate with?
I’d love to collaborate with someone who tells stories through their music as honestly as I try to — maybe Kacey Musgraves or Jason Isbell. It would be amazing to get in a room with someone who writes with that kind of emotional depth and cinematic feel.
What is the first song that you ever fell in love with?
The first song I ever fell in love with was “Desperado” by the Eagles. There’s something about the melody and the storytelling in that song that just stuck with me — it’s part of why I’ve always been drawn to music that tells a story and connects on a deeper level. Even now, songs like that remind me why I love creating music myself.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
One of the proudest moments for me was releasing the music video for “Bullet Trains.” I wrote the song myself and got to star in the video alongside my two kids. It was such a special experience to create something that’s so personal and also share it with them — seeing the song come to life visually and being able to include my family made it feel really meaningful and full-circle.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
One of the biggest lessons that I’ve learned is that it’s never too late to follow your dreams. For a long time, I thought being a musical artist was only for young, beautiful people in their twenties, and I honestly believed my ship had sailed. But I’ve learned that art connects with people on a soul level, beyond all the social constructs we put on ourselves and others. That realization has been incredibly freeing and continues to shape the way I create and share music.
Now onto your release, “Livin’ it Up.” What inspired this song? What is “Livin’ it Up” about?
“Livin’ it Up” is really about stepping into your own life and giving yourself permission to break out of old patterns. It came from a place of realizing I’d spent a lot of time being the dependable one, saying yes to everything, and playing it safe — but that version of me wasn’t fully alive. The song is about hitting reset, taking detours from the “rat race,” and embracing the messy, exhilarating parts of life. It’s a reminder that life was made for living, that it’s never too late to chase your dreams, take a leap of faith, and finally live it up.
What was the creative process like when making “Livin’ it Up?”
The creative process for “Livin’ it Up” was really organic and felt almost magical. I co-wrote the song with Jeffrey East, a longtime songwriting collaborator, after a few spontaneous, out-of-character moments on my part—staying out late after a writer’s round and rearranging my work schedule to meet with him on short notice. I mentioned to Jeffrey that I was “finally livin’ it up,” and he immediately said, that’s what we’re writing today. From there, the song almost wrote itself.
For me, it was about more than just breaking a few personal rules—it was an homage to reinventing myself as an artist at 40, chasing a dream I’d long thought had passed me by. Writing it felt freeing, like capturing decades of reliability and stepping into a new chapter where I could just enjoy the process.
Afterwards, I produced and recorded the song myself twice. The first version leaned heavily on the worktape we’d created, but it didn’t quite hit the sound I envisioned. Then, during a session at Dark Horse Recording, we had an opportunity to record a second version. The minute Chris Nole played his first organ lick, I knew we were on the right track. The rock-and-roll energy and slightly outside-my-norm sound brought the song to life, and we even tracked the lead vocal that same day, right before the studio closed.
Overall, the process was spontaneous, collaborative, and deeply personal—writing, producing, and recording all came together in a way that felt effortless, and the song ended up being a perfect reflection of this moment in my life.
How long did it take to complete “Livin’ it Up?”
“Livin’ it Up” came together surprisingly quickly. The initial writing session with Jeffrey East flowed almost effortlessly, inspired by a few spontaneous, out-of-character moments I was having in my life. After that, I produced and recorded the song in two versions. The first version took some time to refine, but the final version at Dark Horse Recording practically came together in a single day—the organ, the band, and the lead vocal all clicked immediately. From idea to finished track, it was a process of a few weeks, but the magic moments that shaped it happened in just a few days.
What is your favorite lyric in “Livin’ it Up” and why?
My favorite lyric is the line that inspired the whole song: “Now I’m finally livin’ it up.” It’s simple, but it captures a really big moment for me—finally letting go of old rules, embracing who I am, and giving myself permission to chase a dream I thought had passed me by. It’s about redefining my life in this stage and celebrating the choices that brought me here.
What message or messages do you hope fans take away from “Livin’ it Up” and your music in general?
With “Livin’ it Up,” I hope people feel encouraged to step outside the routines they’ve fallen into and try something different, even if it feels out of character. For me, the song is about reclaiming parts of myself I’d put on hold for years and finally doing the things I’d always wanted to do, even later than I thought I could.
More broadly, my music is about real experiences and real emotions—moments of doubt, moments of joy, and the small choices that can feel surprisingly meaningful. I hope listeners come away feeling a little more permission to follow their own path, in their own way.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
Right now, I’m focused on sharing “Livin’ it Up” and connecting with people through the song. I also recently released “Here in New York” in October, which has been such a fun song to share and perform. Beyond that, I’m working on my upcoming record, and there’s more new music on the way that I can’t wait to share.
Where can we follow you on social media?
TikTok: @audrawattmusic
Facebook: @AudraWattMusic
YouTube: @AudraWattMusic
Instagram: @audrawatt
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
