Linn-Mar alum Molly Brandt returns to Iowa for show at CSPS Hall

"The Museum of Being," Molly Brandt's next album, won't be previewed when the singer-songwriter, who grew up in Marion, performs Friday at CSPS Hall. However, the album's concept is fascinating.

"It's a nice, broad topic," Brandt said while calling from her St. Paul, Minnesota home. "It's very hippie. I've been listening to The Doors a lot lately, and it's opened up my mind. I was thinking, 'what if I had my own museum? What would be in my museum of being?’"

The songs Brandt is creating for the album are historical, political and personal. "There are songs about St. Paul and how much I love it here," Brandt said.

It's a great concept for the Denver, Colorado native, who graduated from Linn-Mar High School in 2013.

"I hope to inspire people just like I'm inspired by people and what they do," Brandt said. "I just read this great book, 'The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl.' It's nonfiction and it's so poetic. I stole phrases and words from the book to write a song about the Dust Bowl."

Brandt, 30, studied classical piano while coming of age in Marion. The country/Americana singer-songwriter has a music degree from Drake. But she didn't start writing songs until 2021.

Many folks picked up the guitar during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown for the first time, and Brandt is part of that group. Brandt learned the guitar and sang her own blues after being laid off. The loss of her job was followed by a loss of relationship. The bad breakup inspired Brandt to craft more material.

"I've been playing piano since I was five years old, and I was just so focused on that," Brandt said. "I was also in show choir, and you know how big of a thing that is in Cedar Rapids. It took me a while to get where I am as a musician."

Brandt's earliest memories are of her father listening to country music in their Marion home.

"I grew up loving '90s country and early 2000s country," Brandt said. "I guess that's my musical roots. I started going back to those roots with more bluesy country and rock and roll rather than classical and jazz."

Brandt is adept at painting pictures of those struggling in a blue collar world. Disillusionment, heartache and difficult struggles are chronicled in Brandt's music.

"Surrender to the Night," Brandt's debut album, which was released in July 2023, features styles ranging from classic two-step honky tonk to '90s alt-rock.

"American Saga" is the follow-up release, which dropped in September 2024. Her sophomore release is filled with distinctly Midwestern stories that feature poignant messages and hard truths. Brandt sings about capitalism, misogyny and addiction.

Brandt has come a long way in a short period of time in the world of songwriting.

"I'm just trying to make good art," Brandt said. "I just want to get it done before the world collapses. I need to do some controversial stuff. I'll gladly go to jail if I have to. I'm down for the cause."

Brandt is looking forward to returning home, even though she won't have much time to explore.

"I'll stay at my dad's house and get brunch," Brandt said. "Marion was such an amazing place to grow up. Linn-Mar had such a great school system when I went there. I have so many wonderful childhood memories in Marion and in Cedar Rapids. I always look forward to going home. It's always a good time."

When Brandt finishes her current set of dates, she'll return to St. Paul to finish off "The Museum of Being."

"I'm excited about the album, and I look forward to taking some risks," Brandt said. "I loved how The Doors took risks. I'm obsessed with The Doors now. Jim Morrison was a genius. I just watched (Francis Ford Coppola's Academy Award winning film) "Apocalypse Now." The opening scene with (The Doors') 'The End' was amazing. I want to get some of that essence of Morrison. I'm inspired by his lyrics and how The Doors' songs sound. I love the poetry he created. It makes me think, and I also want to make people think while they hear my music."