We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aubrienne Davis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aubrienne below.

Aubrienne, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I was raised in a strict religious household where having dreams of being a creative of any kind were strongly discouraged and looked down on. From as far back as I can remember I always felt out of place and knew in my heart there was a different path out there for me to find someday. Music never failed to bring me a sense of peace and security that I desperately craved as a young person growing up in a situation that was anything but. From karaoke nights with my dad, to a handful of school talent shows, to having my first band in high school, performing was the one thing that always felt right, like I was truly home. Fast forward to September of 2023, I played my first show that was fully my own in a friend of mine’s garage. The feeling of euphoria and pride in what I had accomplished were unmatched to any feeling I had ever experienced. I realized that all of the trials I had faced in my lifetime had lead me to that moment, and I was so grateful for all of it. There was a voice in my head saying, “This. This is why those mistakes were made and wrong turns were taken, to bring me here.” Everything made sense for the first time in my life, and that’s the moment I knew that this is what I was meant to do.

Aubrienne, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a 24 year old singer-songwriter from gloomy but beautiful Portland, Oregon. I grew up in a very religious family where I never felt like I fit in, and music quickly became the light at the end of the tunnel for what my life would become on the other side of 18. In 2023 I started playing live shows and in early 2024 my band, Here’s To Hoping, was born! My bandmates and I like to refer to ourselves as forever emo kids, taking inspiration from bands such as Blink-182, Paramore, and All Time Low. Our music blends the nostalgic sounds of early 2000’s pop punk with a modern flare, ranging from heartbreak bangers, to rage anthems, to tunes of hopeful optimism. As of now all of our songs are ones I have written based on experiences and situations I’ve been through in my life thus far. Music has saved me from so many demons over the years and my biggest dream is to do the same for other people. I know what it’s like to be at rock bottom and feel like you’re completely alone with all hope lost, so if I can bring anyone a sense of comfort that they are not alone, that it’s okay to allow oneself to fully feel their emotions good and bad, and remind others to never lose hope in their darkest hours, then I have achieved all I’ve ever wanted.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Over this past summer I went through the very difficult experience of having a falling out with someone I was working closely on my music with. We had been working together since the start of my music career on various projects, prominently focusing on recording and releasing my debut EP. I don’t want to get to deep into it as it was a painful and complicated situation, but very hurtful things were said to me and it brought me down to one of the lowest points I had ever been through. It was heartbreaking to see everything I had poured my soul into over the previous 9 months flushed down the drain over someone else’s heated emotions. In the moment I felt my music journey was over as fast as it started. However in retrospect, I wouldn’t change a thing. I am so grateful for the direction that life has taken me since this happened. My band and I are closer than ever, I’ve found new friends who are incredibly supportive, and I am more confident in my dreams than I have ever been. It taught me the valuable lesson that the worst situations can lead you to the most beautiful outcomes. One of my favorite sayings is “You never know what’s right around the corner” because it’s so true. Life has a crazy way of pulling you back as far as you can go, feeling like you’re a millimeter away from breaking, before projecting you into something incredible. This is a lesson that I hold very close to my heart and will never forget.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I have two goals that drive my creative journey; inspiring other people, and giving my inner child the life she always wanted. Being raised the way that I was lead me to feel very isolated for the majority of my upbringing. I didn’t get to do a lot of the things that other kids did, such as celebrating my birthday, going to the school dance, or even just hanging out with friends. I was encapsulated in my family’s chosen bubble and was watched very closely to make sure I didn’t step out of it. I craved living my life in the ways I wanted to, to have the full experience of being a kid. Unfortunately I didn’t get that, but that’s okay! Because now I’m an adult able to give myself everything that I missed out on and more. And truly I have my music career to thank for the majority of it! I had my first birthday party last year where I got to perform alongside some of the most amazing people I’ve ever been blessed to meet. I get to spend time with people who l0ve me for me, who encourage me to embrace authenticity and strive to be the best version of myself. My life now, even through the hard times, is everything that little me ever dreamed it would be, and I never could’ve made it here without my journey into music. I want to take my stories and use them to encourage and motivate others, like so many musicians did for me. Whether it’s a kid who doesn’t feel accepted by their parents, a teenager experiencing their first heartbreak, or a young adult trying to figure out how to find themselves in this crazy world, I hope my music can resonate with them and help them through whatever emotions they are feeling or situations they are going through. Because everybody deserves to feel seen, heard, and cared for, no matter what stage of life they are in.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: aubriennemusic
• Facebook: aubriennemusic
• Other: tiktok; aubriennemusic

  my band’s instagram: herestohopingband

  email: [email protected]

Image Credits

Isabelle Quinn
Jackson Hagin