Her name is: Brittney Elizabeth
Her bag is: Sugary heartbreak songs for pop music listeners.
She sounds like: Michelle Branch, Sarah McLaughlin
Download these songs: Hang On To, Last Song For You, As One, Los Angeles With Open Arms

When you hear the name Brittney in connection with a young woman making waves in the music business, you probably think of Britney Spears, but we’re introducing you to a different Brit-Brit who doesn’t court the paparazzi – at least not yet.

The debut album from 20-year-old singer/songwriter Brittney Elizabeth, Breathe In, is a heartfelt collection of tunes documenting a young woman’s introspective look back on the heartbreaking journey of first love.

She said all of the songs are about the same guy, a boy she met in math class and has enjoyed an on again off again relationship for years in Arizona.

On the spectrum of sexy, Brittney is more Mary Ann than Ginger, but it’s a calculated wholesomeness – the kind of girl you take home to mum. While she hasn’t yet found the Mister Right that she aches for in song, we’re sure he’s out there just waiting to make beautiful music with her.

Speaking of music, her song Los Angeles with Open Arms is set to appear on MTV’s The Real World Hollywood on April 16. Brittney Elizabeth has become the go-to-gal for setting the musical backdrop to some of television’s most talked about programs, with a pair of songs from her debut album finding their way onto nearly a dozen television series.

Her songs lend their emotional impact to an impressive array of shows including The Paper, My Super Sweet 16, Engaged and Underage, The Diary Series, Trick It Out, Cribs, High School Stories, Newport Harbor and True Life. Other shows that will be including Brittney’s songs include Lifetime Television’s American Psychic Challenge, E! Entertainment Television’s top rated show Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Oxygen Network’s Bad Girls Club.

It’s no surprise that music supervisors lust after her strong yet sweet voice.

In her song Don’t Let Me Let Me Down, she sings, “I’ve got stacks of books filled with dreams, but they collect dust on my shelf.” Savvy talked to this rising young talent who is blowing away the dust and realizing those dreams…

Savvy: Before you get really famous and start doing stuff like the other Britney to embarrass your family, tell us what you’re most proud of so far in your career.

Brittney Elizabeth: I’m most proud of my debut CD. It was great to see all my work come together, from the songwriting to the recording. To see MY album in stores was phenomenal, and now that it is available on iTunes, I’m hoping more people will get to listen to the songs I so love.

Savvy: Now you have to do the follow-up game and keep momentum. How is the stuff you’re writing for your next album going to be different?

Brittney Elizabeth: It is a little different because I feel my writing has improved and I’m older now. I was only 17 when I started writing.

Savvy: Wow. No kidding?

Brittney Elizabeth: I have a lot of new songs being finished. I feel that I have progressed as a songwriter.

Savvy: What plans do you have in mind?

Brittney Elizabeth: I want to keep touring. And I hope more of my songs make it to TV shows, or a movie or commercial.

Savvy: Speaking of touring, where can we catch your act?

Brittney Elizabeth: Keep checking my Web site as it is updated as shows are added.

Savvy: Since you started in this game so early, did you have a mentor or role model who helped or inspired you?

Brittney Elizabeth: My old singing teacher, Dorrie Gean, was my mentor growing up. She was a huge inspiration to me.

Savvy: Whom did you grow up listening to?

Brittney Elizabeth: I grew up listening to the Ataris, Bright Eyes, Lisa Loeb, and Counting Crows, I sound most like Michelle Branch. For a period, I went through a really uncool phase in music. My cousin said I couldn’t listen to that stuff anymore or I’d need therapy. So she made me a mix tape with Dashboard Confessional and The Ataris who I immediately fell in love with. Suddenly I wanted to be this happy punk princess and had to learn guitar.

Savvy: You write your own songs, correct?

Brittney Elizabeth: I write them all. Rob Seals and Everet Harwood helped on all of the songs on Breathe In. I’m currently working with Gardner Cole on some new songs as with Rob Seals and Kregg Berentine so stay tuned! Rob was one of my first co-writers. He was teaching a class on songwriting at singing camp in California. Within like 10 minutes, I wrote my first song. All these feels came rushing over me, it was amazing.

Savvy: You were selected for a Divas showcase because you’re obviously talented and, well, easy on the eyes too.

(Laughs)

Brittney Elizabeth: Thanks.

Savvy: How important is the image part of being a performing artist these days?

Brittney Elizabeth: Image is very important as that is how people identify you with your music. I don’t know. I guess some singers who don’t have great talent will put more focus on style. It is a business. My personal style is me. I guess I’m a fashion hippie. I try and maintain the same look for every show or appearance.

Savvy: Do you ever mix it up to break the monotony of touring? You gotta have fun sometime!

Brittney Elizabeth: One time we were on the way to Denver for some shows and we were playing around talking in British accents. I had an interview coming up with a UK radio station and we were just playing around. We stopped to eat and I ordered my food in an accent and didn’t even realise it.

Savvy: Since you started out so young, any advice for budding Britneys or Brittneys out there?

Brittney Elizabeth: Just stay true to who you are.

Savvy: Sounds good. Best of luck to you. You have the talent to go far.

Brittney Elizabeth: I’m hoping my music will have an influence on someone they way other songwriters like Connor Oberst or Chris Carrabba has influenced me.

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Savvy: Where do ideas for your songs come from?

Brittney Elizabeth: They come from personal experiences. My favorite topic is love. What I live for is love and even though it hasn’t worked out for me, I’m just glad I got to experience it. Whether it’s happy or sad it is what gives me life. I completely believe in soul mates and finding that one person. I know that I’m not alone in believing this.

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On the Web:

www.brittneyelizabeth.com

www.myspace.com/brittneyelizabeth19

www.airplaydirect.com (audio)

www.airspun.com (video)