Brett Altman, New York City-based singer-songwriter, has released a new single entitled “Eye Mask” just days after kicking off his spring residency at Pianos, a hip lounge on the Upper East Side. The song is an introspective look at a failed relationship and the yearning he felt to be truly seen by his significant other. The single is the fourth to be released ahead of his upcoming album My Way Out.
Altman has been producing music as an independent artist since 2018, working hard to turn an up-and-coming career into a household name. “Eye Mask” is a clear evolution from his earliest tracks which were much more folk-centric, composed of acoustic melodies paired with Altman’s impassioned vocals. This new release has taken on more substance by incorporating mastered pop elements along with added instrumentation such as keyboard and electric guitar.
He described the creative process of this latest project as a transformative experience, one that arose from heartbreak and the eye-opening experiences he gained post-breakup that allowed him to pull newfound inspiration. What ended up being a nearly 7-month hiatus from music and songwriting allowed Altman to release a lot of pent-up pressure that had been building up for quite some time. After allowing himself the time to travel and hit reset on his mental headspace, Altman came back to the studio almost unknowingly invigorated to write and produce his next album.
My Way Out is an ode to re-discovering oneself by way of being open to new experiences, especially those that seem intimidating at first. By pushing his limits and engaging in things that previously terrified him, Altman earned a new perspective on life. This perspective made him realize that he didn’t have to confine his music to a set of rules based on his own expectations of what he thought he should be making or what others expected him to make. Thus, Altman allowed himself to progress within his genre, bending and molding his sound into what he considers the best music he’s ever made.
“Taking a break from writing was healthy for me. I took six to seven months off, and it wasn’t like I forgot how to write, but in order to do so, I needed to live. Once I got back in the studio after my break, we wrote the full album within a week, and it was like a burst of creative inspiration. The phrase I’ve been thinking about in relation to it has been ‘turning pain into empowerment,’ and that’s really been the through-line,” he explains.
When asked if opening up about such a vulnerable part of his life to listeners and fans was difficult for him, especially when it comes to performing live, he explained that putting the album together was a way for him to process the relationship, and at this point, he loves being able to perform all the songs live. Altman considers himself a performer at heart, and playing live shows will always be one of his greatest strengths as a musician.
“There will always be a lot of emotions tied to the music, both good and bad. It’s funny but the more vulnerable I get, the more I can connect with others… Those songs end up being the ones that people always tell me are their favorite.”
Last year, Altman had a residency at The Delancey in NYC, and by way of word of mouth, along with growing his social media presence, every show over the course of the residency got bigger and bigger. Enough hype had been circulated about his live performances that Altman and his team were able to boast a sold-out finale for the season. Now, Altman has geared up for his residency at Pianos and hopes to continue to grow that fan base with each consecutive show over the next couple months where he will certainly be spotlighting his new single.
Look out for the upcoming album My Way Out, set to release in May 2024. Altman’s next show at Pianos NYC will be next Thursday, April 11, and you can purchase tickets through Dice. Tickets are also available at the door.
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