Molly Brandt: “All our past experiences are collections of knowledge and artifacts.”

Along with a recent engagement to her guitarist and producer Eric Julio Carranza, St. Paul, Minn., singer-songwriter Molly Brandt shares that she and Carranza—who work famously together—have a few treats in store for their fans.

For those just getting familiar with Brandt’s music, she has come a long way from writing her first songs during the COVID-19 lockdown. Since then, she has released thirteen singles and two albums, including the critically acclaimed American Saga. Taking home the American Artist of the Year Award twice at the Midwest Country Music Awards (2023–2024), Brandt swears that she never had lofty goals of “making it”—but making it she is—and that includes new music.

“I think not putting pressure on myself helped when I started writing songs. Knowing that your first few songs are gonna be [rough] was helpful,” recalls Brandt.

As it turned out, her first few songs not only led to her debut release, 2023’s Surrender to the Night, but also spurred a music career.

“I’m working on recording another album right now, which will be called Museum of Being,” shares the Twin City artist. “I’m taking a break in December and January to finish this record and hopefully release it in early to mid-2026.”

The new album will be recorded in the couple’s home studio.

“It’s not like one of the fancy studios,” explains Brandt, who is psyched about recording from the comfort of their home. “It’s working out really well so far. We are getting really good sounds out of it.”

Now that the couple plans to tie the knot, Brandt says it won’t change how she and Carranza work together. “We already feel like we are married [laughs]. We work really well together. It’s been really great having a collaborator like Eric.”

Carranza is helping to push musical boundaries.

“He comes from a background of many different genres and styles, which include jazz, R&B, and rock 'n' roll. With our last album, American Saga, we brought in a lot more synthy sounds and gritty guitar tones.”

She adds, “We’re working on having some different grooves and maybe some more electronic elements coupled with my Americana/country style.”

Some music ideas don’t always work, shares Brandt.

“If he shows me something that I’m not vibing with,” explains Brandt about the rare disagreement, “that’s okay—there’s lots of other avenues we can go down. I really trust his artistic instincts.”

The album and title song, "Museum of Being," came out of nowhere.

“We were trying to come up with a name for our studio. I think the name "Museum of Being" just popped into my head, which is not usually how things work with me.”

An ardent reader, Brandt might have found the inspiration in a book.

“I got a library card about a year ago. I’ve been reading about the history of libraries and getting interested in the Library of Alexandria. So, I was utilizing what I have read for ['Museum of Being'].”

“What the song means to me is a wide-encompassing term,” shares the songwriter. “We are all libraries of existence—all our past experiences are collections of knowledge and artifacts.”

She relies more on observation as a songwriter and says the new album will differ from her previous records.

“I’m using a lot of inspiration from current events, my own neighborhood and environment, as well as the books I read.”

Besides building her solo career, she and Carranza plan to launch a new band.

“We’re starting a new band with a songwriter, Jacob Mullis, and his wife, Amy Hager. We are naming it Brandt, Hager, Mullis & Carranza—which is kind of like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.”

The award-winning singer-songwriter shares that they have already begun working together.

“We’ve been writing and recording songs together. We have some songs mastered and just did some photos together.”

“Songwriting is new to me, and I feel like it’s sort of a vulnerable process,” shares Brandt about her insecurity as a songwriter. “So doing it with others requires a bit of bravery. I feel like working with Hager and Mullis has been helpful.”

Brandt is looking forward to staying creative as an artist.

“I’m really into pop music lately, especially girl pop music like Chappell Roan, Charli XCX. There are no rules—I want to write a pop song next—let’s go!”