Bruce Springsteen and Zach Bryan Engage in a Dialogue About Composing Music and Confronting Impostor Syndrome

Zach Bryan, with under ten years in country music, has already ascended to chart dominance through albums such as American Heartbreak and The Great American Bar Scene. Given that establishing oneself in the music industry can require years or even decades, Bryan was rather astonished by the rapid ascent of his career. In addition to leading his own tour throughout the year, the country singer recently had the opportunity to sit with the legendary Bruce Springsteen, who posed several questions to the emerging artist.

Encountering a legendary vocalist such as Springsteen is an exhilarating event, but that was merely the beginning for Bryan, as the singer inquired about his service in the Navy. After his service, Springsteen contemplated whether the Navy had impacted his writing. Bryan stated, “I had numerous friends in the Navy, and we would frequent bars, enjoying ourselves, after which I would return to my barracks room and compose songs about those experiences.” I have never possessed any alternative means of self-expression. Your extensive workload leaves you little opportunity to discuss these matters. I would return home to compose, never believing I would become a songwriter due to my perceived lack of aptitude.

When Springsteen inquired whether Bryan regarded himself as a serious songwriter at present, Bryan maintained, “I still don’t!” I continue to experience significant imposter syndrome.

Bruce Springsteen Discusses the Consistency of His Inspiration
Not all inquiries were directed at Bryan, as the country artist also sought information about Springsteen. After decades in the music industry, Bryan inquired of Springsteen on his inspirations and whether they have evolved over time.

To his astonishment, Springsteen acknowledged, “The same objective as when I was 15 persists to the present.” Thus, that amounts to 60 years. Essentially, we take the stage at night and exert our utmost effort. This is the final night we might engage in play. This may be the final audience we encounter.

Springsteen acknowledged that it required years before he deemed his songs as “good,” highlighting the shared challenges of the craft. “I did not feel truly confident in my songwriting abilities until I was approximately 22 or 23, during the composition of my debut album, Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J., released in 1973.”

During their discourse about the challenges of songwriting, Springsteen and Bryan engaged in more than mere chat, as they had already performed together at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn a few months prior. Beyond music, the two appear to be cultivating a promising friendship.