Brett Kissel Talks 'The Compass Project'

Brett Kissel is a Canadian country artist looking to make an impact in Nashville. With a record of platinum-selling songs and awards, Kissel has embarked on an ambitious musical project. The Compass Project - South Album is the first installment of a four-part album experience called. Kissel had dreams of doing an acoustic and live record along with other music he had been working on so he decided to dive in head first and make it all. As 2023 is proving to be a busy year, Kissel discussed his new music as well as his vision as an artist.

Kissel has always known that music was the path for him. "I would even say music found me. The fact that no one in my family played or even sang like I did, and the fact I loved country music as much as I did, is an example of the universe creating something special," he shares. The country genre in particular is what the young singer gravitated to most. Canada has produced plenty of singer's who made an impact in Nashville, and Kissel could quickly follow in their footsteps. He has had three times Platinum-certified albums, 10 Gold singles, and 16 top-10 radio hits since his first single back in 2012. He has won 22 CCMA awards and three JUNO awards (equivalent to the American Grammy) and accumulated over 150 million global streams.

Kissel's new album,The Compass Project - South Album, is the product of a larger-scale idea. When asked why he wanted to make a four-part album release over the course of a year Kissel explains, "That idea has been cooking in my unique brain or quite a while. I always wanted to out out a Western album that was dedicated to the Honky Tonk themes and the rural themes. I also wanted to do an album that was very acoustic. I always wanted to to make a live album too, so I thought why not do it all?"

There is a lot to love about the South Album. "I just wanted to think outside the box," Kissel states. This first installment is an ode to the ways of the southern region, and how that music has influenced him. "Ain't The Same" which features the group 98 Degrees is surely a stand-out. Kissel had met the band while they were at the same concert event in Toronto. "We got to form a friendship over the course of that day, and I had asked them if they were interested in doing something in the country space. They were intrigued but never felt like they found the right song. I said, 'Boys do I have a song for you then,'" he notes.

There are a few songs on this release that are solo writes from Kissel, and the upcoming three albums showcase even more of his writing."For me, I'm very nervous to hear what my fan base will think, and what the industry will think of these songs that I've written completely by myself. It's very vulnerable and I feel very exposed," Kissel admits. He is a also a proponent that songs that carry personal themes always resonate the most with his fans as he says, "The reason 'Watching' is probably my favorite song on this album is because it's about my kids. It shares advice and wisdom for every parent to relate to."

Overall, the project as a whole contains vulnerable and personal themes for Kissel which can be intimidating to share as an artist. "I don't know how my fans will feel when they hear these songs. My genuine hope and desire though is that they will sit down with each album and understand that these are specific directions of my internal compass."

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