interview with Brain Size 61
What are your names? / Who plays what? / How old are you?
A: April, I play rhythm guitar and handled production on our last record.
I’m 24 years old
JM: Jean-Michel/bass/38
M: Michael, guitar, 54
S: Stuart and I play drums and sing back vocals. I’m 25 years old.
C: Craig/vocals/56
April also recorded, mixed and produced the bands new album “Influence”
Have any of you played in other bands?
A: I’ve played with quite a few, but the main ones are Mellevon and Anna
Pest. Both are melodic metal projects; the former is my other band, and the
latter is my solo project.
JM: No
M: Yes, Threevil Twins and Sirlord Masterboss.
S: I have played drums in a Pop/Rock band from Montreal called Made Them
Lions for the past 5 years.
C: I have been granted the honour of participating in the Sirlord Masterboss
project
How is it that you started playing music?
A: I had little song ideas that would develop in my head before I could even
play a note. What motivated me to start playing was my wish to bring these
ideas into reality. I started playing music specifically so I could compose
JM: By watching Nirvana unplugged
M: Was 15 and took guitar lessons to try and meet girls. Friends said “stick
to classical… you’ll never be any good at rock”. At 18, started taking piano
lessons with my first mother-in Law. Things turned out ok I guess.
S: Basically banged on pots and pans in the garage for a few months when I
was around 9 years old. After this brief period of noise, my parents gave up
and bought me my first drum set for 200$. It was from the 80’s and was
literally falling apart, but I played that thing to death. I wonder where it
is now...
C: My brother was in a cover band whose singer quit. I figured I’d take a
shot at it. I was magnificently awful but stuck with it until I achieved
mediocrity…
Have you had other previous members?
A: From what I know, yes, and many!
M: Oh yes.
C: Mike and I are the original band members. Many have come and gone over
the years. Some are buried in Mike’s backyard. The current line-up plays the
hardest fastest music we’ve ever made.
Did you make music even when you were young?
A: I always loved music, but I only started playing when I was 12 or 13.
JM: I started playing music at 17
M: No. Never sang. Hated music. Liked to dance though.
S: Aren’t I still young!?
C: I mostly just listened and let the rage build inside me.
Where are you from?
The band is from Montreal, Quebec, Canada
A: I was born in Montreal, Canada, but I spent a fair bit of time in Fort
Worth (Texas) when I was young
JM: Repentigny, Quebec
M: Willowdale Ontario Canada.
S: Montreal, Quebec, Tabernak
C: Originally Willowdale, Ontario, Canada now hanging in Montreal, Quebec
What year did the band form?
JM: I joined around 2006
M: 1982-ish
S: Some centuries ago...
C: Holy shit I feel old…
What's your style of genre?
A: We play punk rock.
PM: Punk rock
M: Sloppy
S: I would say mostly Punk mixed with a few breakdowns. Every record has
been a little different though.
C: Classic punk with influences of metal and other stuff we found laying
around Mikes garage
What inspires you?
A: Life; how beautiful it can be, and how painful.
JM: Great bass players: Kris Novoselic, Paul McCartney, Karl Alvarez (The
Descendents), Dee Dee Ramone
M: Drinking and smoking, smoking and drinking.
S: People making music that they enjoy. Also love songs that are loud and
make you want to move!
C: Listening to kick ass music and observing the sad parade of human kind
How often and where do you reherse?
M: In the garage about 3 times a year.
S: Mike’s garage, once everyone few months ;)
C: Mikes garage… just enough to not fuck up on stage… hopefully
How have you developed since you started with the music?
A: I started off playing piano when I was 12 / 13, just enough to get a feel
for it. I picked up a guitar when I turned 15, and it’s been my instrument
of choice since. I’ve also been making gross growly vocal noises on occasion
since I was 16. I started producing music (terribly) around the same time,
but I like to think I’ve gotten pretty good at it over the course of the
past year and a half or so.
M: My ears ring all the time.
S: Oh boy. Definitely added more of a metal edge to our music since April
has joined. Maybe the tempos have spiked a little bit. Other than that just
Craig and Mike writing some good old Punk Rock songs!
C: Learning from past mistakes and to bring influences from other bands and
music…. Making the music faster and harder all the time.
Do you have other interests of work outside the band?
A: I currently work in the video game industry.
M: Yes, electrical and mechanical nerd activities
S: I work in a restaurant! Although, not super interesting, I love
interacting with people!
C: Eating, drinking and waking up in the morning
Are you looking for a booking agency, and what are your thoughts around
that?
M: We just got one. He’s an old friend. This is good.
S: Booking agents can definitely help! The one key thing I think is that
they have to bring the same drive and passion to the project that the band
does. Nobody wants to work with someone who doesn’t see things the same way
or someone who doesn’t work as hard as they do. Otherwise, why should they
be taking a cut?
C: You need a booking agent with good connections to get quality gigs. We’re
lucky that our old friend we just signed up with is very connected. We can’t
wait to start playing shows in the Spring!
Are you looking for a label, and what are your thoughts around that?
M: We’ve been on the same label for years.
S: Already signed to Milagro records. Sorry!
C: We are signed to Milagro Records in Canada but our label is always on the
lookout for distribution deals around the world.
What made you decide to make this music?
M: Always fun to make music with the family.
S: It’s fun.
C: Getting together with family and friends to make some awesome sounds.
Nothing compares to that.
What are your songs about?
A: Generation X angst, alcoholism, corporate bullshit, and failed marriages.
M: Commentary on life and acquaintances.
S: Mostly creepy shit that Craig thinks of.
C: Observations of what’s around us that pisses us off, stories I’ve heard,
playing on phrases or words.
Who does the composing and writes the lyrics?
A: Mike does most of the composition, though I helped out a lot with this
last record. Craig writes almost all of the lyrics, and came up with a
couple riffs more recently.
M: April & I composed, Craig also a little this time. Craig has a book of
lyrics that he keeps.
S: Mike and April write the music, and Craig writes the lyrics.
C: Mike and April compose the music. I may throw in a chord or two for them
to correct. I write most of the lyrics.
Do you start with the music or the lyrics?
M: Craig keeps a book of lyrics, April & I blang some twanger, April splices
the pieces together, Craig sings on top. Some took just a few minutes.
C: I usually write the lyrics first with a rhythm line in my head. Then get
together with Mike and April and we match up riffs they’ve written to match
the lyrics and pull it all together.
Do you compose in a certain enviroment?
M: The love castle.
S: …weed incuded coma?
C: I wrote all the lyrics for the new album over a 3 day period in an office
I was given at work that was a windowless converted broom closet. Perfect!
Have you done any covers live?
JM/S: Ring of Fire, Anarchy in the UK
M: Yes, used to a lot more.
What language do you sing in?
M: English
S: Craig sometimes mutters in tongues, but for the most part English.
C: English avec quelques mots en francais
What are the least and most people to attend one of your gigs?
M: We’ve played at small parties, some bars, some schools… so a few to
several hundred.
S: I’ve personally played gigs for only the bartender before, and our last
few gigs have been maybe 75 people.
What ages are most of your concert attendants?
A: They range in age from my age to Mike and Craig’s. We seem to have
listeners of several different generations, which is really neat. It’s great
to see how music can bring people together.
M: Younger than me.
S: Definitely 20-30 years old.
C: A kaleidoscope of the curious and under informed
Do you always play the same songs live, or do you vary?
A: We have quite a lot of material, but we always try to cram as much into a
set as possible
M: The setlist varies a little.
S: We’ve got 3 albums out now, so we’ve got enough to pick from to keep
things fresh every show!
Do you have a regular place you play live often?
M: Not necessarily
S: Probably Barfly in Montreal.
What was your first gig like?
JM: Stressful au but at a bar called Hemisphere Gauche in Montreal
M: Awful.
S: Scary. My first gig was actually with these guys! I was 15 and wasn’t
supposed to be in the bar. My dad was there. I’m a loser.
C: Terrible and emotionally scarring…
What was your latest gig?
A: A lot of fun.
M: Not too shabby.
S: Barfly for our album release of Influence.
C: A badassed bum smacking good time
Have you had to cancel a gig?
M: Don’t remember but think not.
S: Not since I’ve been in the band! We even drove through a snowstorm to
play a gig in Ottawa!
C: No. I played a gig once with a temperature of 104 F. It’s not like my
singing could be any worse sick…
Where have you played live this year?
JM/M/S: Barfly Montreal Quebec Canada.
C: We spent most of this year working on the new album
Where do you plan to gig the coming year?
A: Around Eastern Canada.
M: Ontario and Quebec.
C: Eastern Canada in Spring…. Tour of the Lower Intestine! You’re going
down!
When did you start to sell merchandise, and what do you have for sale?
M: 1989? T-shirts and cassette tapes.
S: We’ve got physical copies of our CD’s as well as some t-shirts! Started
selling them years ago.
C: Right now we’ve got digital music and physical CD’s on sale online around
the world.
Where can people buy your merchandise?
S: At our shows!
C: Anywhere music is sold or streamed online:
https://www.amazon.com/Influence-Brain-Size-61/dp/B075QZPZJG/ref=sr_1_5?ie=U
TF8&qid=1514658872&sr=8-5&keywords=brain+size+61
What do you think about people downloading music instead of buying records now a days?
A: Times change. Ultimately, customers control the industry; it’s up to
artists to adapt to their needs.
JM: Kind of sad....
M: Don’t care. Will never see a cent from music. Fun to make it and if
people listen, that’s nice.
S: Great way of sharing music, but the royalties from streaming are garbage!
In conclusion, good for exposure, but it’s killing the profitability of the
industry.
C: Its just the way it is. If you are in it to make money don’t do it. If
you are in it for the joy and getting your music heard then the
possibilities are endless.
How do you think the music industry have changed because of this?
A: Listeners have more power than ever to make or break an artist’s career.
Maybe that’s the way it should be.
M: The music industry is dead.
S: No one is signing bands to large record contracts anymore. It’s basically
forced bands to become as DIY as possible, and trying to make a buck in the
most creative and thrifty ways possible.
C: Music has incredibly fragmented and diverse. Now you can find whatever
musical perversion touches your heart. There are so many genres and its
controlled by the people listening to what they like not some fat cat
bastards in an office deciding what they will let them hear. Fuck the music
industry. You want to do it now you can do it for yourself.
What do you think of my work?
A: You seem really cool! Thank you so much for reaching out to us.
M: I like you because you’re interested in the music.
C: You find some very cool bands. We are very honoured you chose us and
can’t quite figure out if we are worthy.
How do you think and know that this interview will help you in the music business?
M: It’s cool! You’re all the way over there on the other side of the world
and everything.
S: Exposure is always great! Hopefully this will expose us to some new fans
and create new relationships in different countries!
C: The business part doesn’t matter. If this interview gets even a few more
people to listen to our music around the world it doesn’t get any cooler
than that.
Do you have any role models or idols?
A: As a personality, an artist, and an innovator, Björk is my queen. In
terms of guitar playing, it’s gotta be Jason Mendonça from Akercocke (an
English progressive / death metal band).
M: Not C.C. Deville.
S: Definitely a huge fan of Kings of Leon and The Gaslight Anthem. Also been
getting back into the Killers recently. Really dig the Arkells as well.
C: Bruce Dickinson (up the Irons!!!!), James Newell Osterberg Jr., Lemmy
Kilmister.
Why do you think that they exist?
M: Because the entertainment industry makes (or made) money from their
existence.
S: Definitely to make good music!
C: Immense talent, taking no shit from anyone and putting on a show no one
wants to miss.
Is it easier to find inspiration from older bands, or bands that are more active today?
A: It really depends on one’s tastes. I find music today much more
stylistically varied today than it used to be; styles are evolving and
branching off from one another faster, and I enjoy and take inspiration from
a lot of different styles, so I find myself usually listening to newer
material.
JM: Older
M: I like anything guitar.
S: A healthy mix of the two I think. I love some older bands, but I can grow
tired of hearing the same songs over and over. New songs can definitely
provide you with fresh inspiration and new ideas.
C: Musical inspiration comes from everything. Old or new… all kinds of
genres. You’ve got to expand what you listen to and take parts of that to
influence what you create.
What have been your biggest obstacles?
A: Lack of energy, lack of time.
M: Remembering.
S: Probably just finding some decent shows to play with some people to play
for! It’s hard to connect with an audience these days. Not a ton of people
go out to see local bands anymore.
C: Self doubt, settling for “good enough” and sloth
What advice would you give other bands or artists?
A: Do it because you love it; not because you want to “make it big.” No
matter what, you’re guaranteed to get less out of your music than what you
put into it. Accept that, lose the ego, accept criticism, practice your
craft, and let your heart bleed.
M: Have fun, expect nothing.
S: Just because it’s a tough industry doesn’t mean it can’t be rewarding. Do
it because you love it, and make music that you’ll be proud of. Without
that, none of it is worth it.
C: Do it because you love it or don’t do it at all. Make music for you
first. If you’re trying to make music to please someone else then get the
fuck out. Expect nothing in return and if other people like it that’s real
nice. Go have a beer.
How do you get psyched for a gig?
A: A joint, two shots, and watching the room fill up.
JM: Drinking beers
M: Practice.
S: Just knowing that I’ll be on stage is enough for me. Nothing like the
adrenaline rush of playing live music!
C: As soon as you step on that stage the world gets turned up to 11. Here we
come mutherfuckers!!!
Do you have any new material?
M: Soon
S: Just released a new record called Influence so, yeah! Head online and
check it out!
C: Always working on something new…. Here’s the newest:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/influence/id1282188408
What are your web sites?
Band page: www.brainsize61.com
Facebook:www.facebook.com/pages/Brain-Size-61
YouTube:www.youtube.com/user/BrainSize61music
Twitter: twitter.com/brainsize61
ITunes: itunes.apple.com/artist/brain-size-61
How can people reach you?
Message us on Facebook
Drop us an email: [email protected]
What are your plans for the future?
A: To keep improving at my craft, keep surviving, keep learning new things
and meeting people, and generally keep enjoying the ride.
M: Keep having fun.
S: Be famous.
C: Nice cup of tea, perhaps a glass of bourbon later on, listen to some kick
ass tunes, play with words and create new music
Do you have something to add?
A: Rock is only dead if you let it die. Don’t be afraid to take risks, have
fun, and don’t let yourself be tied down by labels. Innovate, or stagnate.
M: Thanks very much for your interest!
C: Go hard or go home.
A: April, I play rhythm guitar and handled production on our last record.
I’m 24 years old
JM: Jean-Michel/bass/38
M: Michael, guitar, 54
S: Stuart and I play drums and sing back vocals. I’m 25 years old.
C: Craig/vocals/56
April also recorded, mixed and produced the bands new album “Influence”
Have any of you played in other bands?
A: I’ve played with quite a few, but the main ones are Mellevon and Anna
Pest. Both are melodic metal projects; the former is my other band, and the
latter is my solo project.
JM: No
M: Yes, Threevil Twins and Sirlord Masterboss.
S: I have played drums in a Pop/Rock band from Montreal called Made Them
Lions for the past 5 years.
C: I have been granted the honour of participating in the Sirlord Masterboss
project
How is it that you started playing music?
A: I had little song ideas that would develop in my head before I could even
play a note. What motivated me to start playing was my wish to bring these
ideas into reality. I started playing music specifically so I could compose
JM: By watching Nirvana unplugged
M: Was 15 and took guitar lessons to try and meet girls. Friends said “stick
to classical… you’ll never be any good at rock”. At 18, started taking piano
lessons with my first mother-in Law. Things turned out ok I guess.
S: Basically banged on pots and pans in the garage for a few months when I
was around 9 years old. After this brief period of noise, my parents gave up
and bought me my first drum set for 200$. It was from the 80’s and was
literally falling apart, but I played that thing to death. I wonder where it
is now...
C: My brother was in a cover band whose singer quit. I figured I’d take a
shot at it. I was magnificently awful but stuck with it until I achieved
mediocrity…
Have you had other previous members?
A: From what I know, yes, and many!
M: Oh yes.
C: Mike and I are the original band members. Many have come and gone over
the years. Some are buried in Mike’s backyard. The current line-up plays the
hardest fastest music we’ve ever made.
Did you make music even when you were young?
A: I always loved music, but I only started playing when I was 12 or 13.
JM: I started playing music at 17
M: No. Never sang. Hated music. Liked to dance though.
S: Aren’t I still young!?
C: I mostly just listened and let the rage build inside me.
Where are you from?
The band is from Montreal, Quebec, Canada
A: I was born in Montreal, Canada, but I spent a fair bit of time in Fort
Worth (Texas) when I was young
JM: Repentigny, Quebec
M: Willowdale Ontario Canada.
S: Montreal, Quebec, Tabernak
C: Originally Willowdale, Ontario, Canada now hanging in Montreal, Quebec
What year did the band form?
JM: I joined around 2006
M: 1982-ish
S: Some centuries ago...
C: Holy shit I feel old…
What's your style of genre?
A: We play punk rock.
PM: Punk rock
M: Sloppy
S: I would say mostly Punk mixed with a few breakdowns. Every record has
been a little different though.
C: Classic punk with influences of metal and other stuff we found laying
around Mikes garage
What inspires you?
A: Life; how beautiful it can be, and how painful.
JM: Great bass players: Kris Novoselic, Paul McCartney, Karl Alvarez (The
Descendents), Dee Dee Ramone
M: Drinking and smoking, smoking and drinking.
S: People making music that they enjoy. Also love songs that are loud and
make you want to move!
C: Listening to kick ass music and observing the sad parade of human kind
How often and where do you reherse?
M: In the garage about 3 times a year.
S: Mike’s garage, once everyone few months ;)
C: Mikes garage… just enough to not fuck up on stage… hopefully
How have you developed since you started with the music?
A: I started off playing piano when I was 12 / 13, just enough to get a feel
for it. I picked up a guitar when I turned 15, and it’s been my instrument
of choice since. I’ve also been making gross growly vocal noises on occasion
since I was 16. I started producing music (terribly) around the same time,
but I like to think I’ve gotten pretty good at it over the course of the
past year and a half or so.
M: My ears ring all the time.
S: Oh boy. Definitely added more of a metal edge to our music since April
has joined. Maybe the tempos have spiked a little bit. Other than that just
Craig and Mike writing some good old Punk Rock songs!
C: Learning from past mistakes and to bring influences from other bands and
music…. Making the music faster and harder all the time.
Do you have other interests of work outside the band?
A: I currently work in the video game industry.
M: Yes, electrical and mechanical nerd activities
S: I work in a restaurant! Although, not super interesting, I love
interacting with people!
C: Eating, drinking and waking up in the morning
Are you looking for a booking agency, and what are your thoughts around
that?
M: We just got one. He’s an old friend. This is good.
S: Booking agents can definitely help! The one key thing I think is that
they have to bring the same drive and passion to the project that the band
does. Nobody wants to work with someone who doesn’t see things the same way
or someone who doesn’t work as hard as they do. Otherwise, why should they
be taking a cut?
C: You need a booking agent with good connections to get quality gigs. We’re
lucky that our old friend we just signed up with is very connected. We can’t
wait to start playing shows in the Spring!
Are you looking for a label, and what are your thoughts around that?
M: We’ve been on the same label for years.
S: Already signed to Milagro records. Sorry!
C: We are signed to Milagro Records in Canada but our label is always on the
lookout for distribution deals around the world.
What made you decide to make this music?
M: Always fun to make music with the family.
S: It’s fun.
C: Getting together with family and friends to make some awesome sounds.
Nothing compares to that.
What are your songs about?
A: Generation X angst, alcoholism, corporate bullshit, and failed marriages.
M: Commentary on life and acquaintances.
S: Mostly creepy shit that Craig thinks of.
C: Observations of what’s around us that pisses us off, stories I’ve heard,
playing on phrases or words.
Who does the composing and writes the lyrics?
A: Mike does most of the composition, though I helped out a lot with this
last record. Craig writes almost all of the lyrics, and came up with a
couple riffs more recently.
M: April & I composed, Craig also a little this time. Craig has a book of
lyrics that he keeps.
S: Mike and April write the music, and Craig writes the lyrics.
C: Mike and April compose the music. I may throw in a chord or two for them
to correct. I write most of the lyrics.
Do you start with the music or the lyrics?
M: Craig keeps a book of lyrics, April & I blang some twanger, April splices
the pieces together, Craig sings on top. Some took just a few minutes.
C: I usually write the lyrics first with a rhythm line in my head. Then get
together with Mike and April and we match up riffs they’ve written to match
the lyrics and pull it all together.
Do you compose in a certain enviroment?
M: The love castle.
S: …weed incuded coma?
C: I wrote all the lyrics for the new album over a 3 day period in an office
I was given at work that was a windowless converted broom closet. Perfect!
Have you done any covers live?
JM/S: Ring of Fire, Anarchy in the UK
M: Yes, used to a lot more.
What language do you sing in?
M: English
S: Craig sometimes mutters in tongues, but for the most part English.
C: English avec quelques mots en francais
What are the least and most people to attend one of your gigs?
M: We’ve played at small parties, some bars, some schools… so a few to
several hundred.
S: I’ve personally played gigs for only the bartender before, and our last
few gigs have been maybe 75 people.
What ages are most of your concert attendants?
A: They range in age from my age to Mike and Craig’s. We seem to have
listeners of several different generations, which is really neat. It’s great
to see how music can bring people together.
M: Younger than me.
S: Definitely 20-30 years old.
C: A kaleidoscope of the curious and under informed
Do you always play the same songs live, or do you vary?
A: We have quite a lot of material, but we always try to cram as much into a
set as possible
M: The setlist varies a little.
S: We’ve got 3 albums out now, so we’ve got enough to pick from to keep
things fresh every show!
Do you have a regular place you play live often?
M: Not necessarily
S: Probably Barfly in Montreal.
What was your first gig like?
JM: Stressful au but at a bar called Hemisphere Gauche in Montreal
M: Awful.
S: Scary. My first gig was actually with these guys! I was 15 and wasn’t
supposed to be in the bar. My dad was there. I’m a loser.
C: Terrible and emotionally scarring…
What was your latest gig?
A: A lot of fun.
M: Not too shabby.
S: Barfly for our album release of Influence.
C: A badassed bum smacking good time
Have you had to cancel a gig?
M: Don’t remember but think not.
S: Not since I’ve been in the band! We even drove through a snowstorm to
play a gig in Ottawa!
C: No. I played a gig once with a temperature of 104 F. It’s not like my
singing could be any worse sick…
Where have you played live this year?
JM/M/S: Barfly Montreal Quebec Canada.
C: We spent most of this year working on the new album
Where do you plan to gig the coming year?
A: Around Eastern Canada.
M: Ontario and Quebec.
C: Eastern Canada in Spring…. Tour of the Lower Intestine! You’re going
down!
When did you start to sell merchandise, and what do you have for sale?
M: 1989? T-shirts and cassette tapes.
S: We’ve got physical copies of our CD’s as well as some t-shirts! Started
selling them years ago.
C: Right now we’ve got digital music and physical CD’s on sale online around
the world.
Where can people buy your merchandise?
S: At our shows!
C: Anywhere music is sold or streamed online:
https://www.amazon.com/Influence-Brain-Size-61/dp/B075QZPZJG/ref=sr_1_5?ie=U
TF8&qid=1514658872&sr=8-5&keywords=brain+size+61
What do you think about people downloading music instead of buying records now a days?
A: Times change. Ultimately, customers control the industry; it’s up to
artists to adapt to their needs.
JM: Kind of sad....
M: Don’t care. Will never see a cent from music. Fun to make it and if
people listen, that’s nice.
S: Great way of sharing music, but the royalties from streaming are garbage!
In conclusion, good for exposure, but it’s killing the profitability of the
industry.
C: Its just the way it is. If you are in it to make money don’t do it. If
you are in it for the joy and getting your music heard then the
possibilities are endless.
How do you think the music industry have changed because of this?
A: Listeners have more power than ever to make or break an artist’s career.
Maybe that’s the way it should be.
M: The music industry is dead.
S: No one is signing bands to large record contracts anymore. It’s basically
forced bands to become as DIY as possible, and trying to make a buck in the
most creative and thrifty ways possible.
C: Music has incredibly fragmented and diverse. Now you can find whatever
musical perversion touches your heart. There are so many genres and its
controlled by the people listening to what they like not some fat cat
bastards in an office deciding what they will let them hear. Fuck the music
industry. You want to do it now you can do it for yourself.
What do you think of my work?
A: You seem really cool! Thank you so much for reaching out to us.
M: I like you because you’re interested in the music.
C: You find some very cool bands. We are very honoured you chose us and
can’t quite figure out if we are worthy.
How do you think and know that this interview will help you in the music business?
M: It’s cool! You’re all the way over there on the other side of the world
and everything.
S: Exposure is always great! Hopefully this will expose us to some new fans
and create new relationships in different countries!
C: The business part doesn’t matter. If this interview gets even a few more
people to listen to our music around the world it doesn’t get any cooler
than that.
Do you have any role models or idols?
A: As a personality, an artist, and an innovator, Björk is my queen. In
terms of guitar playing, it’s gotta be Jason Mendonça from Akercocke (an
English progressive / death metal band).
M: Not C.C. Deville.
S: Definitely a huge fan of Kings of Leon and The Gaslight Anthem. Also been
getting back into the Killers recently. Really dig the Arkells as well.
C: Bruce Dickinson (up the Irons!!!!), James Newell Osterberg Jr., Lemmy
Kilmister.
Why do you think that they exist?
M: Because the entertainment industry makes (or made) money from their
existence.
S: Definitely to make good music!
C: Immense talent, taking no shit from anyone and putting on a show no one
wants to miss.
Is it easier to find inspiration from older bands, or bands that are more active today?
A: It really depends on one’s tastes. I find music today much more
stylistically varied today than it used to be; styles are evolving and
branching off from one another faster, and I enjoy and take inspiration from
a lot of different styles, so I find myself usually listening to newer
material.
JM: Older
M: I like anything guitar.
S: A healthy mix of the two I think. I love some older bands, but I can grow
tired of hearing the same songs over and over. New songs can definitely
provide you with fresh inspiration and new ideas.
C: Musical inspiration comes from everything. Old or new… all kinds of
genres. You’ve got to expand what you listen to and take parts of that to
influence what you create.
What have been your biggest obstacles?
A: Lack of energy, lack of time.
M: Remembering.
S: Probably just finding some decent shows to play with some people to play
for! It’s hard to connect with an audience these days. Not a ton of people
go out to see local bands anymore.
C: Self doubt, settling for “good enough” and sloth
What advice would you give other bands or artists?
A: Do it because you love it; not because you want to “make it big.” No
matter what, you’re guaranteed to get less out of your music than what you
put into it. Accept that, lose the ego, accept criticism, practice your
craft, and let your heart bleed.
M: Have fun, expect nothing.
S: Just because it’s a tough industry doesn’t mean it can’t be rewarding. Do
it because you love it, and make music that you’ll be proud of. Without
that, none of it is worth it.
C: Do it because you love it or don’t do it at all. Make music for you
first. If you’re trying to make music to please someone else then get the
fuck out. Expect nothing in return and if other people like it that’s real
nice. Go have a beer.
How do you get psyched for a gig?
A: A joint, two shots, and watching the room fill up.
JM: Drinking beers
M: Practice.
S: Just knowing that I’ll be on stage is enough for me. Nothing like the
adrenaline rush of playing live music!
C: As soon as you step on that stage the world gets turned up to 11. Here we
come mutherfuckers!!!
Do you have any new material?
M: Soon
S: Just released a new record called Influence so, yeah! Head online and
check it out!
C: Always working on something new…. Here’s the newest:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/influence/id1282188408
What are your web sites?
Band page: www.brainsize61.com
Facebook:www.facebook.com/pages/Brain-Size-61
YouTube:www.youtube.com/user/BrainSize61music
Twitter: twitter.com/brainsize61
ITunes: itunes.apple.com/artist/brain-size-61
How can people reach you?
Message us on Facebook
Drop us an email: [email protected]
What are your plans for the future?
A: To keep improving at my craft, keep surviving, keep learning new things
and meeting people, and generally keep enjoying the ride.
M: Keep having fun.
S: Be famous.
C: Nice cup of tea, perhaps a glass of bourbon later on, listen to some kick
ass tunes, play with words and create new music
Do you have something to add?
A: Rock is only dead if you let it die. Don’t be afraid to take risks, have
fun, and don’t let yourself be tied down by labels. Innovate, or stagnate.
M: Thanks very much for your interest!
C: Go hard or go home.