Brooke Lee: The Season of Becoming — Desert Darling

Some artists have talent. Some have presence. And then every now and then, you sit down with someone who carries that unmistakable spark — the kind that makes you lean in and realize you’re watching something take shape in real time.

That’s Brooke Lee.

When Brooke joined me for this episode of Talk & Tunes, we were able to sit down in person, and there was an energy in the room that you could feel right away. Brooke is North Carolina-rooted with Nashville momentum, but what stands out most isn’t just the growth she’s experiencing — it’s the way she’s holding onto who she is while everything around her is moving forward.

This conversation wasn’t just about new music. It was about the season she’s in — what she later described as her “19 to 25 era.” And if there’s one word that captures that season, it’s becoming.

“Burn to Black” and the Stories That Come After

Brooke opened the episode with an acoustic performance of Burn to Black, a song written from a place many people recognize but don’t always talk about — not the heartbreak itself, but the strange emotional space that comes after.

The dating again.

The boundaries.

The memories that remind you you’re still healing.

It’s honest without being heavy, reflective without being rushed. That’s something Brooke does naturally as a writer. She doesn’t force the story. She lets it unfold the way real life does.

And hearing it live in the room reminded me of something I always love about acoustic moments — when there’s nothing between the artist and the story, the connection hits differently.

Creativity That Extends Beyond the Stage

One of the things that makes Brooke’s brand feel so personal is that her creativity doesn’t stop with the music.

A lifelong thrifter, she’s turned that passion into handmade, one-of-a-kind merch — sewing patches in the truck between shows, bleaching and painting pieces outside venues, and creating items fans know came directly from her hands. What started as a necessity when traditional merch wasn’t affordable has become a signature part of her identity.

It’s not just something to sell at a table.

It’s connection.

It’s personality.

It’s storytelling you can wear.

That kind of resourcefulness says a lot about the way she approaches her career — creative, hands-on, and willing to build things her own way.

A Career Milestone That Became Something More

We also spent time talking about one of the biggest moments of her career so far — a national Chevy campaign filmed in Moab, Utah.

The experience itself was unforgettable. Helicopters lifting the truck into place. Filming on her birthday. A quick turnaround to prepare the spot for major broadcast cycles, including the Super Bowl and Olympic coverage.

But what made the moment truly meaningful wasn’t the scale.

The commercial featured the classic “See the USA,” and when Brooke shared the news with her grandparents, they knew every word. Watching their granddaughter bring her voice to something they grew up with turned a national campaign into something deeply personal.

That’s when success shifts from exposure to legacy.

The Heart of This Episode: The Season of Becoming

When Brooke talked about her upcoming EP Desert Darling (releasing April 17), she described it as her “19 to 25 era” — a collection of songs that capture the growth, risks, lessons, heartbreak, freedom, and self-discovery that come with those years.

She shared that if you listen from beginning to end, the project tells a story. Each track represents a chapter, and together they show the evolution of who she was, who she is, and who she’s becoming.

And here’s what stayed with me most from our conversation:

You have to wake up as a human first.

In an industry that moves fast and asks artists to give everything to the career, that perspective matters. It’s what keeps the creativity grounded. It’s what keeps the momentum sustainable. And it’s often the difference between having a moment and building something that lasts.

Coming Home and What’s Next

To celebrate the release of Desert Darling, Brooke will return home for a show on March 16 at Amos’ Southend in Charlotte — a full-circle moment for an artist who started her journey playing around the Lake Norman area.

She closed our conversation with an acoustic performance of the title track, and hearing it live captured the feeling behind this entire season — freedom, reflection, excitement, and the quiet confidence that comes from knowing you’re moving in the right direction.

If you’re drawn to artists who are authentic, creative, emotionally honest, and committed to growing without losing themselves along the way, keep your eyes on Brooke Lee.

She’s not just chasing momentum.

She’s building something real.

🎙 Listen to the full episode of Talk & Tunes with Brooke Lee — available now on Rt66, Spotify, and all major platforms.

To stay connected with Brooke Lee:

Website| Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube 

Recorded at: Just Push Record StudiosCharlotte, NC

Get to Know Our February Spotlight Artist a Little More

As our February Spotlight Artist, we asked Brooke Lee a few fun questions so you can hear directly from her.

What is your hometown and a fun fact about it?

I was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, but I grew up in Lake Norman. Lake Norman is North Carolina's largest man-made body of fresh water! Always been a big water girl!

What is your most memorable musical moment?

Walking out on stage to sing with Willie Nelson the first time. I don’t think anything could’ve prepared my emotions for that one.

What is your most embarrassing or unexpected musical moment?

I just made the most out of the moment, and it ended up being pretty funny. But one time I drove all the way to Kansas for us to play a show and realized when I got there that I left all my pants on my bed back home so I had to perform in a cute shirt and pajama shorts. 

Following the release of "Desert Darling," what can fans expect next from you? I don’t see the new music slowing down anytime soon, and very hopeful for shows to follow! Starting our first round of headlining shows this coming week and I could not be more excited! 

What is a random or fun fact that people might not know about you?

I went to an immersion school all through elementary. By the time I was in fifth grade, I was fluent in German and took an exchange trip to Berlin! I definitely think that’s where my love of travel started and probably my craving to be independent as well.

Favorite Songs (too hard to choose one)? I’d say “So Beautiful,” “Kill Me With Tequila,” and “Burn to Black.” They each represent a different emotional season for me. When I listen back, I can hear the version of myself that wrote them and that’s really special.

Why this one feels personal

I loved learning that Brooke grew up around Lake Norman — because I did too. I spent my first six years living on the lake, and there’s just something about that water that stays with you.

And if I had to pick a few personal favorites from Brooke’s music, three always rise to the top:

“So Beautiful” — the sentiment behind this one hits on a deeply personal level.

“Burn to Black” — relatable for anyone who’s ever loved and had to let go.

And “Head in the Clouds” — pure road-trip energy.