Java.Feb-web.2016

How did you end up in Phoenix?
I moved to Phoenix about nine years ago from
Nashville, Tennessee. I came here with a boyfriend
at the time. We were both looking for a change. I
was feeling very suffocated by the South (laughs).
I grew up in Southern California, so the idea of
moving back out West sounded good to me.
Nashville by way of Southern California,
and nine years here in the Valley—nice. Are
you and the boyfriend you moved with still
together? Married? Single? Children?
Oh no, that boyfriend is long gone! (Laughs) I am not
married and no kids.
How did you get involved with playing music?
Music was always around me. My mom (Dacia
Burns) was a musician, and my dad (John Burns) has
been in the music business my whole life, so it kind
of just happened.
There is always a bit of reluctance when you
have to speak to someone who is attractive,
talented and confident. Will they be nice?
Will they tell it like it is? Will they open
up and share a fascinating story, or has everything
been handed to them because of their looks, brains
or talent? Luckily, if you have a chance to sit down
and talk with Brea Burns—the tall, sultry, ubertalented
singer/songwriter with great red hair
who currently fronts the phenomenal band Trailer
Queen—you’ll get everything you could hope for.
And she’s incredibly nice, as well.
Burns, who is old enough to know better but
young enough to still get carded, has been living
in Phoenix for about nine years, since moving
here from Nashville, Tennessee. She was born in
Southern California and grew up with both of her
parents working in the music industry, so music
comes naturally. But she’s also a gifted hair
stylist who works at Salon PhD and is regularly
featured on Channel 12 in a segment titled
“Monday Makeover.”
A fan of all things retro, Burns is devoted to her
cat, her guitar and making music locally, nationally
and internationally for her growing fan base. Trailer
Photo: SurrealSister Photog.
Queen’s sound works well because Burns possesses
a classic country voice, reminiscent of the greats but
still uniquely her own. It also helps that she is a heck
of a songwriter and her bandmates can really play.
2016 has a lot of great things in store for the band,
including the release of a full-length album and—
hold the phone—a name change that Burns is very
excited about yet not quite ready to disclose. While
they are still Trailer Queen, Burns and the boys will
be making two Valley appearances, on February 5
at Rooster’s Country in Mesa and February 12 at the
American Italian Club in Phoenix. Down the road
a bit, on April 28, the band will be opening for the
inimitable Dale Watson at the Rhythm Room, so keep
your eye out and dust off your boots for that one.
We spent some time conversing with Burns over the
past few weeks as she prepped for upcoming gigs
and recordings.
How many cats do you have?
I have one amazing cat named Thor! He was given
to me by (awesome) DJ Johnny Volume when he
and his wife had a baby. So Thor became my child.
Tell me a bit more about your parents. Did your
mom play in a group?
My parents met in the ’70s when they were both
working for MCA Records in Los Angeles. My mom
was in the art department, designing album covers
for bands (the old school way, with X-ACTO knives
and hand drawing things!) and my dad was working
his way up as a record executive.
He went on to do very well, and was the CEO of
Giant Records among other things. So they met
there. My mom wasn’t a famous musician, but she
was a great piano player and played keyboard in
bands in LA and stuff. She died when I was 15. I like to
think I am carrying a part of her on with my music.
Have you ever written a song about your mom
or played one of her songs?
As far as songs about my mom, I have not written
one yet. I’ve started a few but couldn’t really finish
them. Maybe one day—that would be cool. I’ll have
to ask my dad if he has any recordings of my mom’s
music. That would also be really cool.
What’s the best advice your dad has given you
about the music business?
Hmm, probably that a lot of people are full of shit
when it comes to business stuff (laughs). It doesn’t
hurt to be skeptical.
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