Feature: Gregory Bratton Decodes “The Girl Says She's Fine”
What was the initial spark or idea that led to the creation of "The Girl Says She's Fine?"
I've always been a one-man show on my solo projects. The drums, however, I've always programmed. A few years ago, I bought a drum set and decided to learn to play for real. Eventually, I didn't suck anymore! I started to wonder if I was good enough to play with other musicians. That is when I remembered having those same thoughts when I was a kid learning how to play the guitar. Just that simple rush of lugging an amp down to a friend's garage and trying to jam out, all while trying to avoid the annoyed neighbors shutting you down. I wrote this song - the entire album, in fact, recalling that fond memory.
Was there any challenge that you encountered while making this song?
Yes! I couldn't sing it as well as I liked! It sounded one way in my head and a different way when it came out my mouth! I had never taken voice lessons before, I always just sorta faked it. I mean, I thought I was doing pretty well. But, after my first lesson I learned I was doing so many things completely wrong! Luckily though, after 2 weeks, thanks to a wonderful teacher, I was already about 80% to where I needed to be. And eventually, I got the vocal take you hear on the recording which I'm very happy about.
How does "The Girl Says She's Fine" fit into your overall artistic vision?
I started recording on a cassette 4-track. I've spent most of my life trying to get better at music performance, songwriting, arranging, and audio engineering. I feel this song is a wonderful example of all of those things coming together in a very special way.
How has studying at Berklee College of Music made an impact on your music career?
The biggest thing it did was establish the language of music in my life. It's similar to learning the English language. It doesn't necessarily grant you all knowledge of every written work of Shakespeare, or T.S. Eliot, or anyone else. But, it opens the door to unlimited exploration. This skill isn't necessary to be a good songwriter, or even musician. But most talented seat-of-the-pants type people usually are surrounded by people that speak the language of music. I wanted to speak the language and not grasp blindly wondering why some things worked, and others didn't.
How do you stay inspired and motivated to continue pushing boundaries in your art?
It's never been a chore to do music. It's only a chore to find the time with the demands of life we all face. And, I have never had a time I sat down to write where I came up with nothing. Maybe, only a guitar riff, or a chord progression, but never nothing! I have never went to the creativity well and found it dry! I'm very blessed. The main problem is not writing, it's the long process of bringing them to life. "The Girl Says She's Fine" was written April 9th, 2024. It is just now being released February 25, 2025. It takes this long because everything has to be better than the last album I released. I can confidently say this is my best album yet, and "The Girl Says She's Fine" is one of my best, if not THE best song I've ever recorded. I hope you'll love it and play it so much you hate it. (and then love it again. lol)
