Bishop Briggs Reveals Her River Of Influences

For someone with a voice as powerful and moving as British-born, Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Bishop Briggs, what goes into her sound can be hard to explain.

"You never really know what's inspired you or made you who you are but I was really lucky that I got to grow up in places like Japan and Hong Kong that are super energetic and have this intensity to them," said Briggs.

Briggs claims that her biggest initial musical inspiration stemmed from the songs that played in her living room when she was younger, includiung music by Otis Redding, Etta James and Aretha Franklin, and later Led Zeppelin and Janis Joplin.

Each time Bishop Briggs records, she attempts to channel inspiration. "I think what I always want whenever I'm recording is to have even just 2 percent of what the Alabama Shakes have, Brittany Howard."

For a different slice of inspiration, it turns out Briggs' latest single, "The Way I Do," came about after a chance meeting with a psychic who got her friend's thoughts correct. The very next day the song was written and recorded. "It was really about this proclamation to music because of the tumultuous energy that it's given me my entire life because it's my biggest passion," said Briggs.

Briggs will perform at the GRAMMY Museum on Aug. 21, and she is set to tour extensively this fall with Alt J and the Bleachers. Creating a set list for the Museum event — or any show, for that matter — is harder than it seems. According to Briggs, "It's all about going on some sort of emotional journey and onstage it really is this roller-coaster of emotion. I think there is no build up or in between — it's all about showing all of your cards up front."

Bishop Briggs Reveals Her River Of Influences

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