Music Corner: Exclusively Bri.

Bri Arden, the petite powerhouse with the long, whispy golden hair for miles, is not only absolutely adorable and charming beyond her twenty-three years, the girl can belt one powerful tune; I'd know, I've been moved to tears by her soulful performances at the Bitter End, and anxiously await her upcoming concerts at Rockwood Music Hall. While Bri is not quite a household name yet (outside the New York City music circuit), her dedication to her music career and love for spilling her own passion into the hearts of her friends and fans makes her an A-list candidate for the charts. I sat down with Bri to discuss a few things (we like talking about music... and boys, obviously), and jotted down a few of this golden beauty's choice responses.

Bri! For those who haven't heard your music yet, how would you describe your sound, and who are some of your personal music inspirations?

Well, it's evolved, and is still evolving. Just imagine I absorbed a few Sheryl Crow, Annie Lennox, Grace Potter and Joss Stone albums, and then made music based on that fuel. Sometimes, just sometimes, I make sense.

Let's namedrop. Who are some of the coolest people you've worked with in the business?

Aw man, tough question! Although, I can tell you that I have been extremely fortunate in that I have worked with some amazing artists. I started writing with Billy Masters, an incredible guitarist, when I was a teenager. Then I worked with John Hampson, of Nine Days who wrote Story of a Girl, a number one hit a few years back. Last year, I wrote and worked with Ron Aniello, who is currently producing Bruce Springsteen's new album. Just last week I wrote two new songs with Rebecca Lynn Howard, a grammy winning artist. So, you can see I have been very lucky to work with people far more accomplished than I, and it has let me grow and learn tremendously from their experience. Still, some of the coolest people in this business aren't names you might necessarily know (although they should be).

That is probably true. You're a student, too! Okay, let's hear it...

You bet. I study part time at Columbia University. I've said it before and I'll say it again: My music would not be what it is without the experiences and knowledge gained from my education, and I would not be a happy and successful student if not able to pursue my dream.

Your hair is UNREAL! Tell us a bit about your upkeep, and while we're on the subject, what does your morning beauty routine consist of?

HAHA, I love this question! My hair is surprisingly "low-maintenance," probably because I refuse to 'maintain it' anymore. I run a brush through it in the shower and then I'm done! There is no better blow dryer than the wind! I let it do its thing. At this point, I'm not tying too much back.

My beauty routine is pretty low maintenance, at least I think it is. I go to the gym in the mornings, so I just wash my face and brush my teeth before I go. I usually don't put makeup on until night time, or unless I have meetings. I let my skin breathe during the day! My roommate laughs at me; I can be showed, dressed, makeup on and out the door in fifteen minutes.

So... I know you can't divulge too much about your love life, but as an artist who's been in relationships, what are your favorite (and least favorite!) aspects of balancing music and men?

Uh-oh, next! HAHA I just can't seem to avoid these questions! Well, least favorite part is that there's a very delicate balance between public and private life. If you're a private person, when it comes to the love life, I'll just say it's tough. I don't know if there's a favorite part about "balancing" music and men. I love both! The real problem is that if you want to be honest as a performer, you have to bring your personal life to your art. It can leave you feeling a bit exposed and raw, but that is the only way it can be authentic. But I do write about other peoples' love lives and stories as well, whether it be inspired by something I've read in the paper, or a friend's love life. So, for my listeners, it can be a bit of a guessing game. It's better that way, though!

Frosting readers love reading about relationships! Let's get creative: Bri's Number One Lesson in Love. What's one crucial piece of dating advice you'd leave with your girlfriends?

My biggest piece of advice? Don't waste too much time advising. Ultimately, your girlfriends are going to do whatever they want to do when it comes to matters of the heart, no matter what advice you give (hey, so am I!). The one thing you can always ask them, just to put things in perspective, is: "Does the relationship make you happy and is it what you want?" Pretty simple, really.

My mom once said to me: "I hope you find a man who loves you as much as your father loves me." And my father once said to me: "I hope you know what it feels like to love a person as much as I love your mother." Just know what you deserve, and what you want... and then, have fun!

Chills! Smart parents! Alright, what's one thing most people don't know about you, but should know?

An utterly stumped Bri reached for her cell phone to ask her girlfriends 

for some fun facts, and this is what they came up with:

People that don't know Bri in person don't know how fiercely loyal and protective she is of those that she loves, but they should know. It's an amazing quality. She's a much calmer spirit than you'd think. Bri is bubbly and fun, but there's a lot more in there than she lets people see right away. She is in love with SCUBA; Bri is a survivor and lives every day with all the appreciation she can. Bri also makes the best apple turnovers in the universe. Need any chores done around the apartment? My friends and I will do some for a batch!

Be sure to keep up with Bri on www.BriArdenMusic.com to sample full songs, and buy her breakout album, Hours Days and Years, on iTunes. You can follow Bri on TWITTER, too! Tweet tweet!