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We’re super-excited to have some time today with acclaimed country music singer and songwriter Whitney Lusk; greetings and salutations Whitney, and thanks for taking time from your very busy schedule to chew the fat with our ever-inquisitive readers here at Vents Magazine!
Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me about my music!
Major kudos and accolades on your freshly-minted new sophomore EP Gamblin’ With My Heart. Starting at the top, can you talk about what inspired the new music?
This EP was very much inspired about the life I’ve lived over the past few years. I’ve gotten deeper in the music industry and my eyes have been open to different facets of it, but along with that, I’ve grown so much personally and within my relationships. All of the songs on this record are different sounding and written about different topics, and that’s very much because of all of the things I’ve learnt over the past few years.
Coming off your stunner of a freshman EP, did you feel any so-called ‘sophomore jitters’ on the follow-up EP of Gamblin’ With My Heart? How is the new EP similar to the first? How is it different?
I would say I had more excitement than jitters with this EP. The production and songwriting is still very similar to the first EP. I pride myself on writing upbeat, happy music, because I think the world needs more of that. And I think this new EP very much so achieves that same goal that my freshman EP “Good As it Gets” did. How it differs is probably the topic of some of the songs. This EP is less reflective and more present, more in the “now” and what I’m experiencing while I’m living it.
Who handled the producing honors on Gamblin’ With My Heart and what did the in-studio collaboration between artist and producer look like as you both strove to create the best recordings possible?
This EP as well as the last were produced by Trevor Price at The Lounge Recording in SLC, UT. I very much enjoy working with Trevor because it’s definitely a collaborative effort. He helps me bring my vision for each song to life and has the right ear for the sound I’m chasing. Another really cool thing that we got to do with this record was have some of my band members play on it, Dan Featherstone on guitar and Dave Featherstone on drums. Making this group of songs felt like making music with my best friends. We pushed each other and stretched our comfort level musically, and that was so much fun to be a part of.
In your humble opinion, what differentiates the Gamblin’ With My Heart EP from the distinguished competition on the current day music landscape?
I like to say my sound is early 2000’s with modern and classic rock influences. In my humble opinion, there’s not a lot of people making that style of music right now. I crave music that’s upbeat and lively and makes me feel joy. Like I said previously, I feel like that’s missing in today’s current music landscape.
You hail from Spanish Fork, Utah and now split your time in Nashville — how do these seemingly disparate roots inform you as both an artist and as a person?
Utah is one of the most beautiful places in the world. I feel like when I’m there, it’s easier for me to “re-root” and “re-ground” myself and live my life so I have stories to tell. Then, when I go out to Nashville, I’m the best version of myself I can be for my art, which is important when I’m walking into a city full of people chasing the same dream I have. That can be a daunting thing and quite the mind trip if you don’t know who you are and don’t have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish. So, I think I have a different perspective on the city and the songs I’m writing because I’m not there 100% of my time. I actually feel like this makes me a better person, personally, and therein makes me a better artist.
In the wake of the recent release of Gamblin’ With My Heart, can music aficionados look forward to catching you on the touring/performing circuit?
Yes, definitely! We’re putting in all the work to book shows wherever we can get to and making sure we have the best show for y’all!
Who are some of the artists who have inspired your own indelible and unique musical pathway?
I grew up on 90’s and early 2000’s country, as well as classic and modern rock. So, I feel like artists who really stamped my life were artists like Martina McBride, her ability to tell stories with her powerful vocals and move people was always something that I chased, especially while being vocally trained when I was younger. Also, The Chicks, The Eagles, George Strait. A few more modern artists that I take inspiration from heavily are Kip Moore and Sugarland. I love the energy of their music and how the production is just as much a part of the storytelling as the songwriting itself.
You have a solid fan engagement on TikTok and other social media platforms. How essential are these platforms for engaging with your fanbase and keeping them connected to news, updates, and ongoing developments?
Social Media is such a beautiful thing because of the reach it has. I love seeing that people from Ireland, the UK, Australia and Canada are listening to my music and loving it. Those aren’t easily accessible places for me to travel to, quite yet to perform, so until then, social media is a fantastic way to keep building that relationship with those fans and keeping them informed on all the things happening with my music until I can finally get to play for them in person! I love the idea that people aren’t just following you for your music, they’re following you for you. So, it’s a fun thing to figure out ways to let them in on who I am as a real person to keep them invested in my music.!
At the end of the day, what do you hope listeners walk away with after giving Gamblin’ With My Heart a spin?
I hope people listen to this EP and walk away feeling energetic, happy, nostalgic and maybe even excited to go pursue a dream of their own, whatever that may be.
