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Breaking the Mold: A Conversation with Crashing In Cars's Britt Pennella

Writer's picture: Editorial BoardEditorial Board

Updated: Jan 27

From writing songs to legends as a teenager to collaborating with legends—Crashing In Cars's Britt Pennella - opens up about his musical journey, creative process, and what’s next.


Crashing In Cars - Britt Pennella © 2025
Crashing In Cars - Britt Pennella © 2025
 

Today, we have the immense pleasure to have Crashing Cars, Britt Pennella here on Goathead Records for a very in-depth interview



GHR: You’ve had such a diverse musical journey, but what first sparked your passion for writing music?


Crashing In Cars: It all started when I was a kid. I couldn't quite learn Iron Maiden albums note for note like everyone else, so I figured, why not just write my own songs instead? My dad also played a huge part—he'd let me skip catechism if I could figure out the meanings of Bob Dylan songs on the album Saved. Growing up in Bruce Springsteen’s hometown, Freehold, definitely played a role too. I think it was in the water.


GHR: That’s such a unique way to start! Speaking of experiences, what would you say is your most memorable moment so far in your career?


Crashing In Cars: Honestly, DJ’ing while opening for Rihanna and filling in for Travis Scott at the SAP Center in San Jose a few years ago stands out the most. It was surreal. Here’s the link to the performance, if you wanna see how it went down: Watch here. That moment really stuck with me.


GHR: That’s a wild experience for sure! You’ve also mentioned that you perform in different ways, sometimes acoustic, other times with a band, or even DJing. How do these different forms of performance influence your songwriting?


Crashing In Cars: I think the DJ thing really influences my phrasing when I write. It’s all about mixing up the rhythm and flow, and I carry that vibe into my songs. It keeps things fresh and unexpected. Sometimes, it’s just about feeling out the moment.



GHR: Let’s talk about your creative process. You’ve worked with a lot of people, including legendary record producer Kim Fowley among many others. Can you tell us more about how you approach songwriting and production?


Crashing In Cars: Consistency has been key since I was a kid. When I first met Kim Fowley, he challenged me to write 15 songs every two days—verse, chorus, the works. That definitely instilled a strong work ethic in me. For production, I like to start with the framework of a song on my iPhone and then head to Rick Parker's studio in Beachwood Canyon. We just vibe and see what magic happens. It’s what we call “Space Canyon music”, very free-form, very organic.


GHR: That sounds so collaborative and spontaneous! You’ve also mentioned you’re thinking a lot about family and how those themes play into your writing. Can you dive deeper into that?


Crashing In Cars: Yeah, lately I’ve been reflecting a lot on family dynamics, things that haven’t been fully resolved. There’s this huge theme in music, especially from the ‘70s, like Cats in the Cradle and Bruce Springsteen’s Independence Day, that really resonate with me. I want to explore those deep, unresolved feelings in my music. Also, I’d love to write songs that speak to older generations who’ve lived through life’s challenges. I remember how Paul Simon and those artists spoke to my parents when I was younger—they had so much depth, and I want to create that kind of connection too.


GHR: Those themes definitely resonate with a lot of people. How do you see your live performances evolving?


Crashing In Cars: Right now, I’m figuring out how to present the music live in a way that feels fresh and interesting. I’m thinking of doing some shows acoustic with just a guitar and drummer, and other times maybe just vocals. I really love the idea of walking into a club and not hearing drums at all, it’s like a new frontier for presenting music. It's so cool that, in this moment, you can experiment and do whatever you want. On faster songs I collaborate with guitarist, Daniel Allen Nolan.


GHR: It seems like you’re embracing the freedom to really push the boundaries of live music. Lastly, how can fans stay connected with you and follow your journey?


Crashing In Cars: Definitely follow me on Instagram @crashingcars for all the updates, behind-the-scenes stuff, and, of course, new music. I’m excited to keep sharing this journey with everyone.



 

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