BRIDGIT MENDLER, known for her starring role in the hit Disney Channel series Good Luck Charlie, has proven to us again and again that she is a force to be reckoned with. Mendler can be seen acting in many of our favorite shows while simultaneously maintaining a successful music career. Her newest single, “Can’t Bring This Down” is a collaboration with New Orleans MC Pell that shows Mendler experimenting with R&B styles. When asked her response to fans’ reactions, Mendler stated, “‘Can’t Bring This Down’ is a song with happy, positive vibes. Pell is a great creative partner and always down to think outside of the box. We made this song in a random jam sesh last year with Pell’s laptop and my ukulele. The fusion of our sounds is exciting and it is validating to see listeners respond when you try something new.” Mendler’s recent collaborations with artists such as Pell and Devontée have pushed her to bring her best ideas to the table. “I love working with talented artists who have a different musical perspective from me,” says Mendler. “They come up with ideas that I never would have.” Mendler brought her new music to SXSW this past March in Austin, TX. Showcasing her recent releases, Mendler was in high demand, performing at various parties and stages throughout the festival. Recalling her favorite memories, Mendler described her experience performing alongside Pell. “Performing with Pell was definitely one of the highlights
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of SXSW. It has been one of my favorites to perform. I love interacting with other artists on stage and Pell is really good at bringing energy and working together.” Aside from performing, Mendler had the opportunity to speak at the Digital Frontier Billboard Panel. There she was able to share her thoughts and passions for the ever-evolving music business, as well as learn from successful industry professionals. For Mendler, writing music is an integral part of who she is. “I have always written songs. When I was in school and my friends were going through some sort of emotional drama, I would advise them to write a song to sort out their feelings. Music has always been therapeutic for me and my way of processing the world.” While some artists create systematically, Mendler’s inspiration comes in many shapes and forms. “There are many different ways I approach writing a song,” Mendler says. “I write every day so sometimes my journaling will develop into a song. Sometimes I will have a melody nagging at me while I’m cooking or driving in the car. When I am working with other people, I love to build ideas together in the room in the spirit of improvisation. You never know where the song will go and what another person will bring out of you!” In finding a creative process that works for her, Mendler ensures her writing comes out of a place of originality and uniqueness.