She’s the sound behind the songs you can’t stop playing, and the voice behind some of country-pop’s most emotionally resonant moments.
Two-time Billboard charting artist and Grammy-nominated contributor Justine Blazer is not just a singer-songwriter, but a powerhouse producer, engineer, and creative force behind the board at her own Ten7Teen Studios in Nashville.
Known for blending Detroit grit with Nashville finesse, Justine has built a career on raw storytelling, sonic versatility, and fearless innovation. Her latest single, “4th of July,” – a vibrant collaboration with actor-musician Rob Mayes and hit songwriter Steve O’Brien, was written, recorded, mixed, and released in just 48 hours, capturing a fleeting summer romance in real time.
With 17 nominations at the 2025 Josie Music Awards and a growing legacy across country, blues, pop, and sync music, Justine sits down with WorldAuthors.org to discuss creative chemistry, the art of storytelling across genres, and why sometimes, the best songs are the ones that write themselves.
HI JUSTINE BLAZER, WELCOME TO WORLDAUTHORS.ORG! TO BEGIN, CAN YOU PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO OUR READERS IN YOUR OWN WORDS, ESPECIALLY HIGHLIGHTING YOUR JOURNEY AND IDENTITY AS A SONGWRITER?
Hi! I’m Justine Blazer! I’m a 2x Billboard charting, 8x 1 on iTunes producer, mixing (Stereo and Atmos) engineer, songwriter, artist, and audio engineer based in Nashville. Most recently, I was on the Grammy nominated album Impossible Dream.
I’ve always said music chose me. I started out as a performer in Detroit, writing songs that felt like journal entries, raw, personal, and real. Over the years, my path expanded beyond the stage into production and vocal engineering, which allowed me to shape the full vision of a song from the inside out. As a songwriter, I live for honest storytelling. Whether I’m writing country, blues, pop, or something fun or cinematic for TV, I want people to feel seen and heard through the music.
YOUR NEW SINGLE 4TH OF JULY WAS WRITTEN, RECORDED, AND RELEASED IN JUST 48 HOURS. WHAT WAS IT ABOUT THIS SONG AND MOMENT THAT MADE EVERYTHING CLICK SO QUICKLY?
“4th of July” felt like lightning in a bottle. Rob Mayes and I had this instant creative spark, along side our friend Steve O’Brien. The idea came together fast because it was rooted in nostalgia and a very universal feeling of a summer love that didn’t last but still lingers. Once we started writing, the melody, lyrics, and production flowed effortlessly. We tracked the vocals and instruments right away in my studio, and I mixed and mastered the very next day. Sometimes, when the emotion is that clear, you don’t overthink it. You just follow it.
YOU’VE COLLABORATED WITH BOTH EMERGING AND ESTABLISHED TALENTS LIKE ROB MAYES AND STEVE O’BRIEN. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A COLLABORATOR, AND HOW DO YOU BALANCE CREATIVE CHEMISTRY WITH VISION?
For me, it’s all about energy. I look for people who are authentic, open, and passionate about what they do. I don’t care if someone’s brand new or a seasoned veteran. If they come in with heart and are willing to chase an idea together, that’s gold. Collaboration should feel like a safe space where no idea is too wild. I also think it’s important to have mutual respect. Even if our visions are different, we find a common thread that elevates the work.
WITH 17 NOMINATIONS AT THE 2025 JOSIE MUSIC AWARDS, HOW DO YOU STAY GROUNDED AND MOTIVATED AMIDST SUCH HIGH-LEVEL RECOGNITION?
First, I’m incredibly grateful for the recognition. It’s truly humbling. But I stay grounded by remembering why I started, I love making music that moves people. Awards are amazing, but the real win for me is when someone says, “That song helped me through something.” I also surround myself with a great team and lean into daily rituals of gratitude, meditation, positive environments, and focusing on service through my work. It keeps me aligned with my purpose.
FROM BILLBOARD-CHARTING SONGS TO GRAMMY-NOMINATED PROJECTS, YOU’VE WORN MANY HATS: PRODUCER, SONGWRITER, PERFORMER. WHICH ROLE CHALLENGES YOU THE MOST CREATIVELY, AND WHY?
Each role stretches a different creative muscle, but producing challenges me the most, and I love that. As a producer, I have to see the big picture while also being deep in the details. I’m shaping the sound, guiding the artist, and balancing emotion with technical precision. It’s a dance between instinct and intention, and it constantly pushes me to grow. Especially now in the Dolby Atmos and immersive audio work I do, which is where I’ve really found a unique lane.
YOU’VE WRITTEN ACROSS GENRES — FROM COUNTRY TO BLUES TO GOSPEL. HOW DO YOU APPROACH STORYTELLING DIFFERENTLY WHEN SWITCHING BETWEEN MUSICAL STYLES?
Genre influences tone, but the story is universal. When I’m writing country, I lean into vivid imagery and personal detail. Blues lets me tap into raw emotion and grit, while gospel connects to faith, power, and uplift. When I write pop music, I lean into catchy hooks. When I compose Christmas music, I make sure it’s sonically and lyrically fun and “Christmasy” for sync licensing opportunities
I adapt the delivery, but the heart stays the same. I always ask, what’s the emotional truth here? Once I know that, I let the genre guide the musical language to express it.
AS SOMEONE DEEPLY INVOLVED IN SYNC AND TV COMPOSITION, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE ASPIRING SONGWRITERS HOPING TO BREAK INTO THAT SPACE?
Write with intention. Sync is about writing songs that serve a scene, not just telling your story. Learn how to craft universal lyrics, build emotion dynamically, and understand the needs of music supervisors. Also, metadata is your friend! Make sure your files are labeled, tagged, and easily accessible. And don’t be afraid to start small. Indie placements matter. Relationships, professionalism, and being pitch-ready are everything.
THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING. WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT THE DIRECTION IT’S HEADING IN, ESPECIALLY FOR INDEPENDENT ARTISTS?
What excites me most is the creative freedom artists now have. With tech, streaming, and platforms like TikTok and YouTube, we don’t have to wait for permission to be heard. Independent artists can build real fanbases, land sync and brand deals, chart, and win awards without being signed. The gatekeepers are shifting, and while it takes hustle, it’s empowering to know we have more control than ever over our careers.
YOU’VE CALLED NASHVILLE HOME, BUT YOUR ROOTS ARE IN DETROIT. HOW HAVE BOTH CITIES INFLUENCED YOUR SOUND, WORK ETHIC, AND APPROACH TO MUSIC?
Detroit gave me grit. It taught me hard work, soul, hustle, and how to find beauty in the struggle. Nashville taught me craft. How to refine the rawness into something timeless. Detroit is Motown, blues, and big voices. Nashville is storytelling, structure, and collaboration. Together, they shaped me into someone who can produce a pop-country record, score a TV cue, or belt a blues hook and while still stay authentic!