Meet Brandy Ray | Musician and Facilitator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brandy Ray and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brandy, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I’m a big proponent of approaching life and opportunities with a growth mindset and that goes hand in hand with taking risks. When I first started playing in a band, I hadn’t really sang on a stage since I was very young. It took a lot of courage to go for it, but I truly believe that taking the risk and failing is far more important than saving face and never knowing what you might accomplish.

I’ve had numerous amazing experiences because I’ve taken calculated risks and combined them with drive and effort to achieve a goal. I’ve also learned countless lessons from both the opportunities that taking risks has provided and the moments when the risks may not have been as fruitful. At the end of the day, as long as I am true to my values and intentional, the risks I’ve taken have always benefitted me either through a lesson learned or an achievement that’s been unlocked. Sometimes it’s both of those things and I can only see that in hindsight.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What a great question. I think something that sets my music apart is the songwriting component. A couple of my bandmates and I do a lot of songwriting both on our own and together. I used to be a journalist and songwriting really combines my love of writing with my love of music. Once you’ve got a rough draft of a new song, being able to collaborate with others to arrange the music really takes it from being something like a poem set to chords to a composition. It’s a hugely rewarding process that can be very connected.

While it is rewarding though, it’s not always easy. I didn’t start playing music until about six years ago, so I’ve had to lean into a lot of vulnerabilities to step outside my comfort zone and grow myself as a writer and musician and also to work up the courage to put that in front of an audience. I’ve had the benefit of being in a lot of professions, but when you’re putting your art or talent on the line, it just feels like a deeper level of risk and vulnerability. Thankfully, I’ve had a lot of really encouraging people in my life who have pushed me to keep making music even when it feels hard.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oooh, fun! I live in Lafayette, so when someone comes into town, I always take them to Community or Teocalli. They’re both excellent options for great food. I usually do a brunch stop at The Huckleberry in Louisville and happy hour either at Pour in Louisville or Gemini in Boulder.

For entertainment, if we’re sticking to the Boulder/Denver area, we’re definitely going to get beers and check out a show. Some of my favorite breweries are Wibby, Cellar West, and Beyond the Mountain. They all have great beer and do a lot of fun community events throughout the week, so you might walk in and get live music, trivia, or some other fun shenanigans too. For shows, some of my favorite venues are Roots Music Project, New Terrain, Velvet Elk, Cervantes, and the Bluebird. There are honestly loads of really great midsize venues all over the Denver area that are bringing in some incredible music. I love the places that do a solid mix of local bands and touring acts. Those are the best places to check out new talent and support the local music scene. Colorado has a ton of musical talent to support!

If we’re going up into the mountains, we’re definitely going to stop by my friends’ place, Howlin’ Wind Brewing and Blending in Rollinsville. The beer is delicious, the views are stunning, and they get great bands up there. I’m a big fan of all the small mountain towns that are close to Boulder and Denver, so I’d probably also see what’s happening at Gold Hill Inn or Jameston Mercantile. Those are both classic spots with great food and music on the weekends. Evergreen and Golden have a lot of fun stuff to check out too. The Woodcellar in Evergreen is always a good time. If you get off the beaten path, there are loads of unique haunts that are somewhat unknown to people outside of Colorado, so I would take advantage of the opportunity to show those spots off.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to dedicate this shoutout to my husband and bandmate, Joshua Ray, who bought me my first stringed instrument and encouraged me to lean into making music. I also want to give a huge shoutout to my other Brandywine and the Mighty Fines bandmates – Matthew Schexnyder, Keith Summers, and Maya Fabrikant. Getting to create and make music with these people is one of my greatest joys. Matthew and Josh in particular have been playing music with me from the get go which has been amazing!

I have to give a shoutout to Lauren Harris (Elle Michelle), who I get to play in a side project called Mighty Holler with, to Lena Dow, who has been a great mentor to me, to all the people I’ve shared a stage with or who have given me the opportunity to take the stage in some way, and to pretty much anyone I’ve ever made music with or for. I have tremendous gratitude for the opportunities I’ve had to do something I love so much and to all the people who have supported my musical endeavors.

In addition to playing music in a couple of bands, I also get to help run a monthly women’s jam at Wibby Brewing. That’s a community I’ve been super grateful for both because I’ve found some of my best friends there and because I’ve found a ton of support within this group. I’ve been fortunate to have been welcomed into many spaces, but having the opportunity to make music with other female-identifying players is a special treat. Another project I help with every year is the Boulder County Jingle Jam. It’s a big holiday show that raises money for a local non-profit. I work with a handful of people who put in a ton of volunteer effort to make the show happen and I’m really grateful to get to be part of that work and to watch the event grow.

Of course, I have a wonderfully supportive family too, which makes it much easier to take risks and pursue opportunities.

Honestly, I have so many shout outs I don’t even know where to stop!

Website: https://www.themightyfines.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandywineandthemightyfines/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theMightyFines/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsuaM1rfsgCGeYw_9vhQAfg

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4JNSV7cx4HavBz661ABoRr?si=mHk8ieGcRfufYavXv2XiWQ

Image Credits
Charla Harvey Photography Lily Sitero Photography Shawn Pavlas Photography