Based on a True Story: Brittany-Paige talks identity and vulnerability in “A Minute (Longer)”

When you get the opportunity to sit down with the artist behind the song “A Minute (Longer)”, that’s part indie-pop and part reggae vibes, the first question is obviously: how did you get into music? Brittany-Paige is a Toronto-based singer, songwriter and musician who grew up with music as her life-time friend for every occasion. 

Music was by her side when classical musicians like Mozart were the bedtime soundtrack. Music was there as the sweet exchange for her mom to do a cartwheel at the price of completed piano lesson homework. And when Hannah Montana took over the TV, music was her cheerleader saying she can do it too.

And she did.

Inspired by pop-star icons and the sounds that filled her home, Brittany-Paige’s music is a mosaic of tunes from a long list of genres. Mariana’s Trench. Noah Cyrus. Avril Lavigne. And of course, reggae. “A Minute (Longer)” is a release that best displays Brittany-Paige’s imaginative ear for fusing her indie-pop voice with her Jamaican roots.

“I feel like I definitely want to play with some reggae, kind of bring a little of that Jamaica into my music. Maybe a Jamaica pop kind of vibe. Even a kind of Jamaican indie,” says Brittany-Paige. 

“I feel like I’m in this interesting position where I’m just very girly presenting and I don’t think I see a lot of that with Black artists in this particular way, hyperfeminine, girly, indie vibes in the mainstream…with this background that I have of, you know, different influences, and Jamaican but being Canadian, I think that that’s a unique spin on that.”

Just like the great Hannah Montana, Brittany-Paige is an artist far beyond her music. She’s a model, writer and actress. 

“They kind of feed into each other,” she said. “I also find it helpful because sometimes you’re tapped in one area…So even say I’ve been doing the go, go, go with the modelling right now. I need a break. It’s like perfect, I can come back to the music. Or I’ve been writing so much in this capacity, you can take five, and I can be in my body. I can go act or I can dance.”

Describing herself as a creative at her core, Brittany-Paige thrives in the moments she gets to create. Whether that’s embodying the vision of a designer while walking the runway, building a world with her stories, or bringing a character to life on stage. However with her music, there’s a different level of vulnerability.

“I think with music, you are the character,” says Brittany-Paige. It’s in the music where Brittany-Paige leaves the most pieces of herself. Woven into every beat and note, she tells us about her culture, the day she fell in love with pop-stars as a kid, the newest song she’s had on loop, and the times she kept practicing piano because “she mom won’t let her quit” turned into the hours she played because she wouldn’t let herself quit. 

Above all, her lyrics bravely say “Based on a true story” like the opening of a movie. 

“I think as I get to know myself more that influences how I write and as I learn more and more things happen. You grow, you get hurt, you heal, and repeat, you know. I think that all influences writing,” says Brittany-Paige.

And yes, it’s bravery because being the main character, putting yourself out there, isn’t easy.

“I feel like it’s a combination of the support that I have at home where my parents have always encouraged me to do what I love and be who I am. I’ve also done music in school and drama in school and I’ve done acting and stuff. And so I think that takes a certain level of vulnerability to just be out there.” 

So often we focus on the fear that comes with our dreams. Brittany-Paige suggests that we never give up on that want. The want that keeps us dreaming in the first place.

“It’s okay to be scared, and,” says Brittany-Paige.

Key word: AND.

And want more for yourself.

And be courageous.

And do it anyway. 

For Brittany-Paige, her hope is for her music to be a meeting place for her and those who listen. As she pours herself into each song that others would leave with something of their own. 

“The goal has always been: if it even connects with one person, if one person feels like they’re a part of something bigger or they’re not alone out there…that they do get something from it. Whether that might be joy. Whether that might be feeling heard, and validated in whatever they’re feeling. Whether they just want to dance. Whether they just get the vibe of ‘Oh yeah, this song does feel like a sunset’. Or it kind of brightens their day a bit. I really do love that, whatever they feel like that can take from it, that makes me happy as the artist.”

P.S.

I can’t speak for you but I think daring to believe in life after the “and” is the gift from Brittany-Paige that I’ll carry with me. Stream “A Minute (Longer)” now.