In this episode of The Hardest Part, host Kieron Banerji is joined by Bria Salmena to unpack the winding creative journey behind “Closer to You,” a standout track from her debut solo album Big Dog.

Written across two cities—Bria in Los Angeles, Duncan Hay Jennings in Toronto—the song came to life through long-distance collaboration and relentless back-and-forth. What started as an acoustic skeleton became a hybrid of organic and electronic textures, reshaped again and again as Bria searched for the right emotional tone. But the hardest part? Landing the chorus. Or even deciding if it was a chorus. Bria reflects on the frustration of not finding that “aha” moment and how letting go of control, embracing creative blocks, and learning to trust the process ultimately allowed the song to take its final form.

She also shares how the lyric “move me closer to you” evolved from a call toward someone else into a deeper pull inward—and how working with Meg Remy on vocal production helped her reconnect to the emotional core of her writing.The episode closes with a stripped-back live session.

Artist: Bria Salmena
Song: “Closer to You”
Album: Big Dog

Host and Executive Producer: Kieron Banerji

Recording Engineer: Chris Goldsmith
Mix Engineer: Max Walker
Creative: Callum Baker
Recording Location: Thin White Duke Studios, London

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