In the world of music, every song tells a story—not just about life, but about the artist’s journey as well. For Callie Young, “Training Wheels” is more than just a track; it’s a heartfelt exploration of growth, vulnerability, and self-discovery. Blending poignant lyrics with a playful sense of humour, the song captures the duality of life’s challenges and childlike wonder. In this candid interview, Callie Young shares the inspiration behind the song, how it connects to their broader narrative as an artist, and the creative journey that has shaped their sound. From early influences to pivotal moments in Nashville, we delve into the heart of their artistry and what’s next on their musical horizon.
How does “Training Wheels” fit into the broader narrative of your music and your personal growth as an artist?
I think “training wheels” really kind of sums up who I am as an artist. It’s very introspective and also retrospective at the same time. I love having deep and meaningful lyrics and actually talking about the pain and hardships of life that we all go through. I also love bringing in themes of innocence, curiosity and wonder like that of a child. Having some humor and letting my personality shine through in my music are also important to me. I think this song does that really well in lyrics like “bubble wrap my legs and arms” and “head over the handlebars,” but I also got the chance to make a music video for this song that I think really taps into the humor and childlike parts of me. For the video, I bought a pink child’s bike with training wheels from Walmart, a pink helmet and elbow pads, and got to relive my childhood for a day in the cutest little neighborhood in Franklin, TN. On a deeper level as well, this song felt really important for me to write because it’s just such a real feeling I think we all share. Growing up truly feels like flying down a hill with no training wheels.
What drew you to music originally, and when did you know that it was the path you wanted to pursue?
My older brother is definitely the biggest inspiration for me to get into music. I grew up watching his classic rock cover band, starting when he was in middle school and I was in elementary. I would get into bars he was playing at to watch his shows, and even get up on stage with the band to sing “I love Rock ’n’ Roll” by Joan Jett. That was my first taste of performing and I kind of just never stopped. I started on drums when I was 9, then moved over to guitar I think subconsciously because I was craving something I could create over. I picked up the guitar and never put it down. I started writing songs when I was 13, and then just never really considered another path. Writing has always been a sort of therapy for me, and honestly, a way for me to find out how I feel about a lot of things. I tend to write it out and then sit back and realize how I’m truly feeling.
You’ve been described as having a compelling voice in the indie music landscape. What do you believe sets your voice and style apart?
Someone once described my voice as “honest” and that has always stuck with me. I don’t have the craziest vocal abilities by a long shot, but I really value my voice being considered something that makes the lyrics I’m singing believable and relatable. I grew up on a ranch in Southern Colorado and have roots in country and classic rock music, but I’ve also fallen in love with the nontraditional and experimental nature of indie pop music. I think having all of my inspirations and backgrounds in different genres really helps shape a unique sound for me in the folk-pop world. I like to bring elements of everything that shaped me and my music into what it is today into every song I make, and I also like to experiment with leaning a little into each end of the range as well.
Can you describe a pivotal moment in your career that helped shape the direction of your music?
Making the move to Nashville was definitely a pivotal moment in shaping the direction of my music. I had been pursuing music for years, playing countless live shows and touring in a band with my brother, even getting to tour as the backing band for “The Voice” Season 15 winner, Chevel Shepherd, but making the move across the country to pursue my artistry ended up being the most influential to me finding my sound. I’ve met so many incredibly talented friends here and really found my sound through the countless writers and sessions I’ve had with friends, peers, and producers. I think it really made me feel like I could pursue the genre and direction that I wanted when I had the co-writers, producers, and support to do it.
How do your folk and country roots influence your songwriting process compared to the experimental edge of indie pop?
The country roots definitely influence my songwriting when it comes to structure, rhyme, and the hook line. Indie pop can be very loose in all of these things and I think maybe that is what sets me apart is my tie of both of these genres together. My instincts are very much so of the country writing process, where my ear craves the structure and I will always be a sucker for a hook line that makes you stop in your tracks. I also find myself bringing in unique and nontraditional ideas lyrically as well as in the studio with vocal layers, playing around with stripping instruments away, etc. I think the marriage of both of these things is what creates a sound that is unique to me.
What’s your songwriting routine like? Do you start with lyrics, melody, or something else entirely?
My songwriting routine is always a little different and also depends on the situation. It depends a lot on if I start with an idea, or a co-writer has the idea, or if I’m in the room with a producer that changes the process as well. If I am writing by myself (which is something I really value), I usually start with a word or phrase I have in my “ideas” note on my phone, and then I will pick up my guitar or go sit at my piano and see what comes out. I typically write lyrics and melody at the same time; while I’m writing lyrics, I automatically kind of come up with a melody in my head to fit them. Form-wise, I typically start with a chorus, then move to the first verse, then the second, and then the bridge.
How does living in Nashville impact your music and your access to collaboration opportunities within the industry?
Living in Nashville has not only just brought the most amazing and talented people into my life to collaborate with, but it has also brought the absolute best friends into my life. Everyone is so friendly and supportive here, it is an incredible community. I’m working with so many incredible writers and producers every day. The opportunity in Nashville is unmatched in terms of every single night there is an event or show or writers’ round, if not multiple, to go to and connect with talented people in the industry. It’s also amazing to be in a community where everyone is in the same boat, doing the same thing, especially in an industry that isn’t typical and can be so difficult and overwhelming most of the time. It has been a huge blessing to have such supportive and talented people in my corner.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
If I could, I would love to collaborate with Kelsea Ballerini. I think we are both similar in the way she’s not afraid to put everything into her music. She leaves nothing out and always gives 100% in her lyrics. I got the chance to meet her a few years ago and she is so sweet and down to earth I honestly think we were best friends in another life. I admire her not only for her music but her ability to be the most raw and real version of herself in everything she does, including when she’s on the stage. I so much look up to her for that and really hope that given the chance to be on stage like her, I could have a similar stage presence and be able to make the audience feel like her best friends in the way that she does. She also goes on writing trips with her core group of women that she writes with, spending every day hanging out, drinking wine, and writing songs, and I truly hope that one day I could have a group of women around me like that.
What challenges have you faced as an indie artist, and how have those experiences shaped your perspective on the music industry?
Being an artist is such a daunting task today. So much of my career relies on other people which can be incredibly frustrating. You can’t be an artist without people that love your music and listen to your music. Social media is an incredible resource to be able to reach a broader audience and find those people that are going to make it possible to have a career in music, but it also comes with so much frustration and dedication. Being an indie artist nowadays requires you to be an influencer, a videographer, a video editor, a marketer, an artist developer, on top of being a performer, a writer, and a recording artist. It requires not only so much of an artist’s time, but is also financially draining. It costs so much to not only make music but also then promote the music to try to get people to listen, and then if people listen, the artist is only getting a fraction of a cent per listen. Pursuing any creative career where there are no guarantees or straight steps to follow can be extremely hard, but we do it because we love it and there is nothing we would rather do.
What’s next for you after the release of “Training Wheels”? Are there plans for an album or upcoming tours?
I am releasing a music video for “Training Wheels,” and then I am planning on releasing a song every month this year, eventually working towards releasing an album. The next song I have coming out is called “12 ROUNDS” and it is a more pop-leaning song that uses some fun boxing metaphors for how it feels like to get beat up by love sometimes. I have a music video for that one as well that I am so beyond excited to share! It was so fun to shoot and I had such an amazing team helping me bring it to life. Overall I am so excited to just keep releasing all of the music I’ve spent the last year working on.
