Primed for a career as a singer-songwriter, our Swag Spotlight artist this week, Priscilla Block is someone you’re going to want to remember. During our conversation, we spoke about her upbringing, her move to Nashville, and how fitting the “mold” in country music is just not for her.

Growing up in North Carolina, Block found herself always drawn to music. She sang worship music at church with her mother, and eventually took an interest in guitar. “I was the girl learning all the Taylor Swift songs on the guitar,” she laughs, telling us, “I wrote my first song when I was 15, and I just fell in love with writing and performing for people. Anyone that would listen to me, I would play for.”

Although an avid Swift fan, (still) Block credits her openness to all sorts of music for her creative process today. “My first concert was Celine Dion,” she shared, adding “I loved 90s country, like Shania Twain and Martina McBride, but I also listen to a lot of pop and rap.” She later shared that she has always loved Chris Brown and Usher. Nowadays, the songstress finds herself adding incredible female artists like Lizzo, Cardi B, Miranda Lambert, and Kacey Musgraves to her music library.

Straight out of high-school, Block headed to Nashville, where she currently resides. At first, she tried to make it in the music industry, all while going to school and working full-time, but it came apparent to her shortly after her move that it was an all or nothing type of thing. “One day, I decided that I just needed to give it a go. I quit my job, I quit school and just started networking like crazy in Nashville,” adding later, “I would go to shows, ask people to write that I loved their songs, and just really put myself in uncomfortable situations for the first little bit until I really established my core group of people in Nashville.”

Since meeting her crew, Block has also found her loyal fanbase and following on social media. Her song “Thick Thighs’ went viral on TikTok and is a crowd favorite during live shows. The female-empowerment anthem is just as important to Block as it is to her fans. “That song is 100% me in a nutshell,” she begins, “It started out as a joke, we started playing it live, and the response was really, really cool.” The response led her to record the track, much to fan’s happiness. “I needed to write “Thick Thighs” to be really able to embrace, who I am, and hopefully let other people love themselves too.”

With a newfound sense of confidence, Block was able to tap into her vulnerability too, letting fans into her more emotive side. Her newest song “Just About Over You,” was written a week after she ran into her ex out a bar. “It’s about a relationship that I was in. Just trying to get over somebody and sometimes it feels like forever to finally be down with someone.” Whether it’s a power anthem or a heartbreaking emotional song, Block can truly express the gamut of emotions with her vocal ability and talent.

Although the rest of 2020 looks bleak for live music, Block has a one of a kind, positive-spirit. She believes in the power of manifesting the good in life. She promises fans that more music is on the horizon and shares that she will be on the biggest and baddest stages performing for all her loyal fans next year!

To keep up with Priscilla Block follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Just About Over You” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.