Brandi Carlile, the acclaimed singer-songwriter and 11-time Grammy award winner, recently released her eighth studio album, Returning to Myself, marking a new chapter in her illustrious career. The album released last month and continues her prolific output of music this year after Who Believes in Angels? At 44 years old, Carlile proves the continuation of the creative journey. It’s quite impressive how she juggles her home life with her family in Washington state—with her wife and their two daughters.
It’s no wonder — since the release of her self-titled debut album in 2005, Carlile has accomplished a remarkable amount in her more than 15 years in the spotlight. She’s received critical acclaim for her soulful, rich voice and evocative songwriting. Beyond Collins’ work with Black artists, she’s brought major awareness to the country music genre as one-fourth of the supergroup The Highwomen. She now works with all-time greats such as Elton John and Joni Mitchell. These collaborations are a testament to both her industry influence and versatility as a musician.
Carlile hasn’t just celebrated her musical achievements though, she’s written a memoir. In this new book, fans will get the chance to go even deeper into her life and career. Her path to this point has been an uphill struggle. She movingly gave us a sense of her first panic attack that she had in her 20s, which caused her to leave the stage for a while. This raw openness strikes a chord with many, as she still leaves a powerful mark through her fight for mental health awareness.
Carlile’s commitment to social causes is evident through her establishment of the Looking Out Foundation, which supports various charitable initiatives. This dedication to philanthropy is paralleled by her deep emotional connections, particularly when discussing important issues like marriage equality with her daughters. She described a powerful experience where she broke down after having helped them understand the importance of this issue to them.
The artist describes herself in three words: earnest, driven, and Gemini. These traits are evident in her relentless work ethic and the honesty that she pours into her music. Her song “Never Too Late” was nominated for an Oscar. It’s a testament to her inarguable talent, her uncanny ability to focus on the most universal subjects that really speak to people.
Though still riding a wave of success, on both personal and professional fronts, the newly minted Mrs. She’s very aware that she’s currently residing in a “sweet spot” of her life. Her children have all gone to college, her marriage has blossomed, she herself is now healthier and happier than ever. These aspects stoke her imagination to branch out. They allow her to take the risks she needs to take to make music that’s truly going to resonate with her fans.