The BRKN – Your Existence

By starrymag | September 3, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) I would describe our sound as like a mix between the things you love in a really great pop-punk band with the rougher edge of a great straight-up rock n roll band. Meaning big drums, big guitars with killer riffs and heavy driving bass and an addition of melodic vocals/lyrics that talk about in-depth things about life, relationships and the heart and mind. The BRKN is a sound that you can always have fun and rock out to but also with songs that you can relate to and maybe feel better about some tough situations that you might be going through.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) I have been influenced by all sorts of stuff. Across the board anyone from James Brown, Ray Charles and Jerry Lee Lewis to Guns n Roses and Aerosmith. The first musical obsession I’ve ever had though was Michael Jackson and Led Zeppelin. They changed my life. The first time I saw Led Zeppelin “The Song Remains the Same” I knew I wanted to be a musician the rest of my life. But influences and inspirations change or grow all the time. At this moment in time, I am heavily digging the styles of Neck Deep and The 1975. It’s safe to say they are my favorite music to listen to right now. As far as guitar playing is concerned, guys like Jimmy Page, Joe Perry and especially Slash are who get me going. I love the rough edge sort of “kick you in the face” type of playing they have. Also, they have the coolest look.

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song, “Your Existence.”

A) Absolutely! The song is about something that I went through a little while ago. Relationship gone wrong. It ended up that I was better off as it always ends up to be. To be honest, it helped me grow a lot and realize who I was and what type of person I wanted to be. Like in all my songs, I write about real things that I’ve experienced and real feelings that I’ve felt. So, this is kind of like a journal of some of the feelings and memories I had from that experience that I needed to get out in the form of music and lyrics.

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) Honestly, I think that people identify with the lyrics a lot. I mean, everyone has a person in their life that came in and tore things up and left. However bad it might’ve been it still hurt. So, this song is probably giving fans an outlet to sort of “be mad” in a healthy way. At the same time, I believe that people find comfort hearing that they aren’t the only ones that go through heartbreak or tough situations. EVERYONE DOES! And on another note, I also think that the fun bouncy rhythm of the music and vocal melody makes fun it for fans to listen to!

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) Essentially the video wasn’t meant to be connected to the direct story of the song. It was more to show the fans what the band is about and who we are in person. Because of the fact that we have such an energetic live show and are naturally entertaining guys we wanted to portray that to the audience so they knew what they were in for when they come to the concerts! Within that frame of thought, the video is a snapshot of what the band did on the first tour we ever did together. Loads of fun adventures, going to skate parks, and ripping gigs!

Q) What is your songwriting process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) The process for me usually starts out with an inspiration. Most of the time it’s a guitar riff or chord progression. Sometimes it’s a vocal melody that I come up within my head or a story that I think will sound good in song. But, either way, I start by writing the rhythm guitar part and stringing together all the progressions from a verse to a chorus and then write lyrics on top of those parts. And then I keep building onto it like a puzzle until the full picture reveals itself. It’s really a mystery most times how it all will come together. That’s why I love songwriting because it never happens the same way twice. But then after the guitars are all done, I’ll add drums, then bass and then lead guitar. And then I’ll finish the lyrics because usually there are bridges and things that find their way into the song that weren’t originally there before. But, once again, it never happens the same way twice.

Q) We know you work with producers Glenn Sawyer and Rich Veltrop, but how much of hand does the band have in the production of your music?

A) Well, with this record and all the records I’ve done before, I write all the music and lyrics. I come up with all the ideas for how the drums should sound as well as the bass. And, of course, I write all the guitar parts. I’ve never had a band prior, so I never had anyone to write with or anything, which I didn’t mind at the time! But with future albums, I’m excited to have Mike and Kick there to bounce ideas off of and vice versa.

Q) You recently played Rockfest. What can fans expect from a live The BRKN performance?

A) At its essence, it is a non-stop, energetic show that consists of all of us jumping and running around the stage – bumping/leaning into each other, leaning on speakers, sliding guitars against amps, monitors and even other guitars. I play behind my back at some point in every show and jump into the crowd, which leads me to tell you that we involve the crowd a lot, as I think every show should! All of this is accompanied by loud and ripping music that makes you want jump up and down and shout at the top of lungs because you feel like nothing matters except that moment and that moment alone. We set out to put on a show we ourselves would be excited to go see.

Q) Will there be a full EP or album coming in the near future?

A) There absolutely will be! We are shooting the video for the next single in a couple of days that we plan to release in September. Super excited for this next one. It’s been received very well Live so I can’t wait to get the studio version out.

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform, and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) My favorites places that I have been to so far are probably Wisconsin and Georgia. People seem to love live music there and they go crazy! My favorite place I’ve ever played up until now was by The Filmore in Denver. The backstory to it was that I had seen Slash play there for the first time and told myself that I would someday play on that stage. And about a year later we opened up for Steel Panther there for about 4,500 people. It was incredible.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) I would love to write songs with Matty Healy, Steven Tyler, Ben Barlow/Matt West, and Justin Timberlake. Those are my top picks right at this moment.

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

A) Right now, my favorite record to listen to is The 1975 live at the O2 in London. I’m really into it because the way they layer all of their music is so fascinating. All the different guitar and synth parts play against each other and the bass holding down the low end the way he does. Incredible! I try to learn something every time I listen because I genuinely think they are genius musicians. Also, I love live records because it shows just how good the band really is. And The 1975 do not disappoint.

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) It’s just the way the world works now. Almost every person uses social media a billion times a day to talk to friends and look at things they are interested, one of those things being the bands that they are into! It’s essential to engage with the people that are listening to your music; getting information to fans has never been more instant. I love it; it’s fun for me to talk to fans and do live chats. I appreciate everybody that supports the band and I don’t take any of it for granted.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) First of all, THANK YOU for believing and supporting. The band would be nothing without you ALL. You’re the reason our dreams are coming true, and we couldn’t be more grateful.