Over the course of an incredibly jam packed week of music at Mile 0 Fest, we got to interview several phenomenal songwriters & performers in a low-key, personal space. Third interview of our 4 part series is our friend & femme fatale Bri Bagwell.
Bagwell is a country songwriter inspired by her New Mexican roots & south Texas settling. She's won awards such as Female Vocalist of the Year for her distinct sound & Texas Female Artist of the Decade for her perseverance & heavy hitting 10+ year long tour schedules. She's also a veteran to every Mile 0 Fest thrown, as well as a recurring highlight on our Mile 0 interviews.
"This year was different for me for a few reasons," Bagwell said. "We are in a bit of a band transition, so my boyfriend Paul [Eason] was playing bass for me. He was playing with his band too, The Wilder Blue; so him pulling double duty made for a really busy year. I was supposed to be acoustic, but my band really wanted to come. Mile 0 Fest was kind enough to help me make that happen. Also, it was cold this year which was new... but people braved the elements for the music which is a testament to their passion."
The chilly breeze over this year's festivities shocked even the local Floridians, but that didn't stop Bagwell from bringing Las Cruces heat to the Keys. Her scheduled pool party held strong with her band braving the winds in tank tops & swim trunks, her hat even flying off during the set.
"It wasn't the typical pool party because it was freezing," Bagwell said. "Everyone was in parkas & behind the wind protector. We laughed & had a ball anyway. I think it's noteworthy that Rick & Bev Lambert (Miranda's parents) came by, because they really helped me early on in my career more than I can explain. It was so fun seeing them in the crowd."
As we've learned over the years of festival frequenting, you never know who is going to show up & show out at Mile 0 Fest. You are secluded on a small island with crew & headliners & lovers of music alike, creating an exciting environment anywhere you go.
"I LOVE seeing my musician & music industry buddies. It's the best with a cocktail in the Keys," Bagwell said. "Walking around & running into Max & Heather Stalling, Adam Hood, Sunny Sweeney makes my heart want to explode. Playing catchup with all of my favorite people is really good for my soul. I also love meeting new fans from all over the country."
Something else good for the soul is new music. Bagwell has some upcoming projects waiting for release in the 2025 season & about 7 new songs debuting.
"This Valentine's Day I'm headlining Gruene Hall & also have a song coming out with Bo Brumble of Timberwilde called 'Ain't That Love,'" Bagwell said. "We recorded it at Gruene Studios with AJ Vallejo. Then I have another song I recorded at home with Paul (he played EVERY instrument!), & four more later this year that I recorded in Nashville with my long-time producer extraordinaire Rachel Loy. It's finally the year of new music for me which has been a long time coming."
Bagwell is also hitting 10 states on tour this summer, not surprising to us in the slightest with her can-do attitude & killer back end team. Her podcast Only Vans is another avenue for Bagwell to release projects & spend a little time with industry friends on the road.
"[Patreon] members get my podcast Only Vans early & ad-free, new music & videos before anyone else, & pre-show meet & greets," Bagwell said. "My record has almost been exclusively paid for by my Patrons that are members of my Patreon fan club. I'm still a tad short paying for the last bits of the record, & new members are vital to me finishing the project. I take all of that monthly money & put it straight to new music keeping my music independent & authentically me."
In an industry that's ever changing yet somehow managing to stifle creators the same, Bagwell has found the sweet spot in her artist independence. It's apparent in her social presence, branding, & musicianship that she's remained true to herself & her roots throughout a career that often wants to put artists (especially women) in a box.
"This sounds crazy, but my freedom is bringing me inspiration," Bagwell said. "I don't have a label or management right now, although I'm still surrounded by an awesome team. I just don't have anyone steering the creative wheel besides me, & that's so fun! I have a song coming out about Billy The Kid that I can totally picture a label vetoing. It's historical & maybe my favorite of the new songs. I only wrote it because there are no parameters on what I can write & record. It's amazing."
Besides her busy booking, new releases in the works, & caretaking her famous rescue Whiskey, Bagwell is most excited to plant roots down in New Braunfels with Eason. We're assuming mostly because Whiskey is a princess who needs a yard & a royal lair bigger than the back row of the van, haha!
"My boyfriend & I have been working on our house for years & mostly building it ourselves," Bagwell said. "I've never wanted to plant roots, but New Braunfels stole both of our hearts. We bought a piece of land & are definitely getting close to the finish line. I could cry thinking about living there."
You can watch Bagwell & Eason's hilarious renovations & woes on her social medias, exclusively hear new music on her Patreon, & get captivated by her tenacity at any of her upcoming shows throughout this year. If you like a mixture between 90's country, a hint of Mexico, & sand coated songwriting, then Bagwell is your gal.
Here is her patreon link so we can help fund that new record, keeping artists INDEPENDENT & TRUE: www.patreon.com/bribagwell
Bagwell did want us to end with this: "Readers should know I love my Taylor." -- That's ME! Her words, not mine hahahaha.
See y'all same time (noon) tomorrow for our most exciting interview to date, James McMurtry. As always, thanks Mile 0 Fest for providing an amazing lineup for us to share with you all.