Priscilla Block: From TikTok sensation to major country music artist | Interview | Savannah News, Events, Restaurants, Music

While 2020 has been a rough year for many artists in the music industry, country music singer-songwriter Priscilla Block has managed to make her mark.

Block, who was four months behind on her rent at the time, says she was moving out of her apartment in Nashville when she decided to start posting her own music on TikTok. According to her, she was taken by surprise when her song inspired by her ex-boyfriend, “Just About Over You”, exploded all over the internet.

“I had no idea it would blow up to the point where fans would fund it,” Block said gratefully. “This song changed everything for me.”

“Just About Over You” eventually made its way to label executives and soon after Block signed with Mercury Nashville. In 2021, she released her self-titled EP which included her first big hit along with five other songs.

Last February, she released her latest album “Welcome to the Block Party” and is going on tour to celebrate.

“I’ve done a lot of opening stuff over the last year and it’s really cool to be able to come out and show my fans what I’m new at,” Block said. “Seventy-five percent of the tour is sold out. It was amazing and I’m so grateful to the fans who supported me and continue to support me along the way.

Originally from Raleigh, Block grew up in a large family and says she knew from a young age that she was destined to perform.

“I’m one of five kids and I’ve always been loud,” she laughed. “I was in talent shows and my mom and I would sing in church every Sunday. When I was 15 I picked up the guitar and it was kind of over for me by then. I started to realize that I could write songs and when that happened I realized that maybe I could make a career out of it.

After graduating from high school, the budding singer traveled to Nashville to launch her music career but, according to her, life wasn’t so easy in the music city at first. She says she’s worked multiple jobs to stay afloat while pursuing her dream of making it big.

“I worked any job you could think of,” she said. “Walking dogs, working in restaurants, running a yogurt store, selling stuff on Craigslist, anything to pay my bills every month. I was playing bars and was my own booking agent for so long… I did everything I could to get people to notice me. So it’s so crazy that social media turned out to be the thing that got me started.

When it comes to her writing, Block says she thinks it’s important to push boundaries and stay open to anything.

“I think we’re constantly in a state of pushing the envelope,” Block said. “And I look up to a lot of women in country music who have paved the way…Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves and, of course, the iconic Dolly Parton. It makes me feel like I can talk about my life and real stuff because I know people want to hear it. I think it’s important to stay open to all of this.

In addition to touring with songs from her latest album, Block says she also likes to throw in some fun covers in her performances.

“We throw in some blankets,” she said. “I sing a Lizzo song, which is always fun. I obviously like country music, but I also like rap and rock. So I like to add random stuff from time to time.

Priscilla Block will perform at District Live on Saturday, April 9 at 8 p.m. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit ticketmaster.com and search for the artist.