Photo credit: @jackyjax
We need more [Carley Bearden](https://www.instagram.com/carleybearden_/?hl=en)’s in the music industry. The Dallas native creates music to spread positivity and uplift others, sharing her own vulnerability through her lyrics. As a strong member of the LGBTQ community, the singer-songwriter provides a safe space for listeners to be themselves. Her sound is diverse, a unique blend of alternative pop and Lo-Fi production.
Boasting 24.8K followers on Instagram, Bearden has gone from a softball player to an artist fanbase of thousands, helping the masses see the brighter side of life. As a mental health advocate, she shares her truth — bearing honesty and authenticity through sharing real-life situations.
She states, “I don’t have time to be fake. I don’t want people to look up to me and idolize me for my followers or my monthly listeners. I want people to like who I am as a person first. I don’t give a shit about my music, as long as you know who I am behind it.”
Most recently, she released her single titled “Something Like This,” collaborating with guitarist, writer, producer Wil Brookhart. The record features genre-blending artist TAKA$, as she gives you something to vibe to during quarantine.
Flaunt caught up with Carley via FaceTime, who was located in the heat of Fort Worth, Texas. Read below as we discuss her roots in Dallas, musical influences, importance in mental health,
**Being from Dallas, what was the household like growing up?**
My parents are divorced, I saw them both equally. I grew up in a very conservative household. When I was 16, I came out and shit hit the fan for weeks between me and my family — but I never let that get in the way of who I was. I was always still myself. I’m Carley, people know I’ll make you laugh even when I’m having the worst day ever. It was dope to go through trial and error, all those obstacles at a young age. I see a lot of my followers go through similar things, it’s really nice to be able to chat with them. Let them know as long as you keep your chin up and have a smile on your face, nothing can get in the way. Now that I’m older, my parents are my best friends. They’re at every show, always want to travel with me to different states to hear music. It’s awesome. It took a lot of self-love to get through a few years of my life.
**I know you were into sports, which ones were you good at?**
I played softball, which is very stereotypical for gays. I grew up playing softball, basketball, volleyball, track and field, lacrosse, but really focused on softball. I wanted to play in college. I was on select teams, the school team. After I came out going into my senior year, I really discovered my love for music. I surrounded myself with completely new people, wasn’t trying to be fake anymore. A lot of artistic, creative kids, it was dope.
They showed me being creative can be a job and a lifestyle. It’s something not a lot of people think will get you where you need to be in life, but I took that to my coach and said “I quit.” She said “this is the biggest mistake of your life.” I said whatever. My parents spent a lot of money and time on me and my softball career. It sucked, but I knew I wanted to do music. I didn’t want things to hold me back.
Photo credit: @jackyjax
**Biggest influences growing up?**
My mom raised me on Fleetwood Mac. My nickname was “old soul,” she’d always call me that. As I got into the industry and became more involved, I started studying the Woodstock era and reading. I wish I was in this era, this is where I want to be and I want to bring my mom with me. We vibe out to Stevie Nicks, the first person to really make me feel something. I listened to her when I was happy, sad, crying, having a great time. I realized this is an artist you can listen to at any moment with any emotion, at any time. That’s what I want to be.
My next biggest influence was Mac Miller. He changed my life, I wish I was able to tell him that in person. As a musician, I look at Mac: he’s not a rapper, he’s not a singer, he’s not a jazz artist. He’s everything, all in one. He’s so humble about who he is. When you listen to his music, you can see a whole story in front of your face. That dude changed my life. When I’m stuck on writing music, I always write on Mac instrumentals. He had one saying: “nothing in my wallet, just a lot of dreamin'.” I have a picture of that hanging in my room, I love it. When I was in LA, I made my parents drive me to Studio City so I could go outside of his house. I cried like a baby. Those 2 really inspire me. Completely different people and vibe, but I’ve never felt more inspired by just looking at them. \[laughs\]
**What’s your tie to guitar?**
When I was 12, my mom got me my first guitar. I was fucking baller on Guitar Hero. I was so good at Guitar Hero, my mom said “let’s get you a real guitar.” Obviously playing softball, didn’t take it too seriously. I was put into lessons, did lessons for about 3 weeks. Growing up, we had a lot of financial problems. My mom said “alright, you have to choose between guitar and softball.” At 12, you’re going to choose your sport. I taught myself by ear the rest of the way: watching Youtube videos. Learning everything I could about anything I could, that’s why I started guitar.
That’s really how I write my music. I take it into the studio, talk to my producers and say “I want to make this all acoustic, EDM, or rock and roll.” It’s so all over the place. From guitar, I taught myself piano by ear. It went from piano to drums and kept going. I never wish I quit guitar lessons, but this is still my favorite thing in the whole world. I feel so in my element when I’m writing and playing guitar.
**Who or what inspired your new single, “Something Like This”?**
A lot of people always ask “why are all your songs about love dude?” Well, I have the best girlfriend first of all. Second of all, a lot of my emotional and mental capabilities stem from situations whether it’s loving a friend, loving a family member, loving a significant other. I’m a person who loves love. I’m not necessarily writing about one person. I wrote that 8 months ago, at band practice.
Had a friend over, we’re hanging out. I started playing this rhythm on the guitar, then started singing. We kept the notes and the guitar chords. I got in the studio 3 months ago and recorded it. My girlfriend said “you should get Taka$ to hop on it.” Taka$ is a rapper out of Fort Worth, also a really good friend of mine. It was super sick. “I’ve been waiting for something like this, you’re the stars when I’m asleep.” Very cheesy and cliche but that’s what I’m about, cheesy as hell.
**I’m big on mental health as well, talk about your song “Headspace.”**
“Headspace” was about my girlfriend, again. She’d never been with a female before, ever. Her coming from a conservative family, her being in a sorority and having boyfriends to me: this gay musician, was a huge transition for her. I never rushed her but she’d always tell me “I can’t get it out of my head. I don’t know what it is, but you’re always filling my mind. I think I want to do this.” The next week after we officially got together, I went to the studio and told my friend Trinity, “bro I have a track for you.” It was “Headspace.” You fill my headspace. You know how we are when we’re together, but I’ma leave the ball in your park. It’s up to you at this point.
**What does it mean to stand for the LGBTQ+ community?**
This world is full of shit. It’s full of hate, destruction, and it’s degrading. I want to be someone who people can turn to. I had a fan tell me that my platform was a safe space for her and her friend, that’s what I want to do. LGBTQ: so many people in the world are closeted still. So many people who’s parents disowned them. So many people who because of who they love, their lives are ass.
I want to be someone in the community who says “hey, I’ve been through this too and I’ll go through this with you. I’ll be right next to you the whole way through.” I don’t care how many followers I got, I don’t care what happens. If you message me, I’m there. I know exactly what this is like. Even if I don't, I want to be a friend for you. 2020 is crazy, a lot of stuff has happened. A lot of things have awoken, that should’ve been many years ago. I’ma do my part for my community: stand up and not take shit from anyone. Keep a smile on your face while you don’t take shit, that’s what I live by.
**What exactly is** [**Rose Colored Individuality?**](https://www.instagram.com/rosecoloredindividuality/?hl=en)
When I started hitting about 20K followers on Instagram, I was getting messaged constantly. There were times I couldn’t get to them or see them, or they went to another folder. I made a post: “everyone go follow my account Rose Colored Individuality.” Rose Colored means a creative, vulnerable individual. Rose Colored is a synonym for vulnerability. I thought it was dope, it flows right off the tongue. People asked “what’s Rose Colored?” At the time, I was thinking “who do I want to be?” What do I want to do here?” Music’s my love, but I don’t want to just be known for music. I made Rose Colored to talk about really vulnerable topics, from manifestation to coming out to always responding to DMs.
Rose Colored is that safe space. When I don’t respond on my main, I’m always going to respond on Rose Colored. I’m always posting topics that are real life. I’m a person, you’re a person, take notes if you want. I don’t know everything, I’m not a genius. But the stuff I have been through, I want to share it. It's important to be vulnerable. If I could get that word tattooed on my forehead, I would.
**How did you find Jacob York?**
Jacob actually found me. I was scheduled to go to LA 3 weeks ago to work with some artists. I was sitting on my girlfriend's couch 2 days before I left and got a message from Jacob. I knew of Jacob because he’s very big in the industry. When I saw that message, I thought “what the hell?” So I click on it, he’s like “hey!” I’m like “hey!”
He said “I can’t get your song ‘Lost in the Summer’’ out of my head, who can I talk to?” I got him hooked up with my management. Business is business, but Jacob’s a big brother to me. We’ve only known each other for a few weeks, but I really respect that man. He seems to really want to dive into what I have to offer and help build me up, I appreciate that.
**Anything you want to let the people know?**
Whatever you’re going through in life: keep your head up, smile, don’t let shit get to you. Follow your dreams because I swear they can happen. I promise. Put your mind to it, shit can happen.
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