Zach Bryan Answers ‘Why Am I Drinking?’ in Interview
The Detour to Clarity: Zach Bryan on Finding Freedom in Sobriety
In a candid exchange with Matthew McConaughey, country star Zach Bryan opened up about his journey toward sobriety, revealing how a period of intense travel served as a powerful catalyst for profound personal change. The conversation, which spanned two hours, offered an intimate look at the complex relationship between alcohol, experience, and self-discovery.
Bryan shared a surprising initial perspective on sobriety, noting that he once viewed it as a joke, believing that only those who couldn’t control themselves were celebrating their lack of control. He reflected on how this mindset was tied to his past drinking habits, questioning why he couldn’t control himself in the first place.
The narrative shifted when Bryan recounted a month-long motorcycle trip he planned with friends, which eventually turned into a solo adventure from New York City to Los Angeles. This journey, filled with memorable moments like dining with veterans and skydiving, was spent largely revolving around stopping at local bars.
As the road continued, the focus turned inward. While enjoying the beautiful scenery and nights, Bryan found himself chasing a feeling he couldn’t quite define. After weeks on the road, the journey hit a pivotal moment when he arrived at a Pilot truck stop outside Seattle. Sitting there with a beer, he had to confront the emptiness of the experience, asking himself, “What the hell was all that worth?”
This moment of reflection forced him to look in the mirror and realize he felt emptier than when he had started the trip. He acknowledged that he had essentially “wasted 30 days” chasing a defining experience, prompting him to finally confront his drinking habits and realize he wasn’t necessarily the kind of person who needed to drink to feel alive.
Despite once feeling that sobriety wasn’t for him, Bryan found that giving up alcohol yielded unexpected rewards. He described the experience as incredibly liberating, noting that sobriety has led to him feeling happier and more creatively fulfilled. He said it allowed him to rediscover a youthful energy, feeling like a kid again, ready to embrace life and do everything.
This newfound clarity has fueled some of his recent work, including his new eight-song EP, Young Manhood and Other Donatable Organs, which dropped recently. The EP features compelling tracks like “Robot Killed the Working Man” and “Backwards,” along with collaborations with artists such as Lana Del Rey and Turnpike Troubadours.
Zach Bryan’s story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the most defining journeys aren’t found on the open road, but in the quiet moment when we stop to ask ourselves what truly matters.
Buy on Amazon
Credit
