Blue Ridge Parkgay
The song "Where I'm From" serves as both a snapshot of the artist's life and a tribute to the LGBTQ+ community in the South, juxtaposing the deep roots of hatred and bigotry that the South has in its history against the artists’ own deep roots and connection to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Captured in a manner that invokes the nostalgia of traditional country music, BRPG blends traditional country themes with a new narrative - and in doing so, he found himself. "I’ve never created a song that felt more like ‘me,’ and that provided me such a sense of pride in who I am." The process involved allowing the song to grow and evolve, mirroring the artist's own personal growth and newfound understanding of the power of vulnerability. “Where I’m From” was produced and recorded by Zach Cooper (Leon Bridges, SZA, Jon Batiste) and made possible by a Recording Fund grant.
“…This grant changed my life. Recording Fund helped me restore the faith I have in myself to accomplish my dreams.”
- Blue Ridge Parkgay
Behind the Grant
"Where I'm From" was produced by Zach Cooper - a Grammy-winning composer, producer, and songwriter based in North Carolina. He has contributed to works by Leon Bridges, SZA, The Weeknd, Jazmine Sullivan, Jon Batiste, Moses Sumney, Billy Porter, and Helado Negro, among others. Zach is also a founding member of the experimental soul group King Garbage. His work has been featured in Pitchfork, The Fader, Rolling Stone, and Guitar World Magazine, and he’s released records with RVNG Int’l, Styles Upon Styles and Mike Patton’s Ipecac Recordings.
