Q: What was the beginning point for your music career? How did it all start?
A: Justin – I grew up in a musician household. My dad and brother were always singing and playing music. I was pretty shy as a kid and started playing the guitar when I was 17. I remember listening to Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and other blues guys. I can’t play anything like them, but they definitely got me interested in the guitar.
Nickelback actually got me into modern rock. My dad was in the military and I spent a lot of time overseas, so I missed out on a lot of popular music at the time. I remember finding Nickelback and just being mesmerized but the chunky guitar tones. This led to bands like Shinedown, Three Days Grace, and Breaking Benjamin.
A few years later I found Alter Bridge and my life changed. Hearing them solidified what I wanted to do with music.
I met Brandon in 2013 and we hooked up with Jalen in 2018.
Q: Were there any bumps on the road? What kind of challenges did you have to deal with?
A: Justin – For sure. We’ve gone through a few lineup changes over the years and that can always be difficult. It seems like we’ve made poor decisions and have had to learn from our mistakes. Going through difficult times definitely makes you more resilient.
Q: What was the most fulfilling and satisfying moment so far?
A: Justin – I’m super fulfilled knowing that our music has had a positive impact on people. Different people will come up to us at shows or message us and let us know what our songs mean to them. That’s one of the best feelings and I’m so thankful that our music is having a positive impact in the world.
Q: How would you describe the music that you typically create?
A: Brandon – The most mindblowing eccentric piece of art you won’t listen to. Basic prog ideas for music with poppy vocals. Prog lite.
Q: What is your creative process like?
A: Brandon – Most of the time for me it’s just mindlessly playing until something sounds cool and also fun. Then I bring it to the lads and we expand on it.
Q: If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
A: Jalen – Higher pay for indie rock artists for sure.
Q: If you were asked to give a piece of advice to upcoming bands, what would that be?
A: Jalen – The more haters you have, the better.
Q: What has been the best performance of your career so far?
A: Jalen – Rockfest 2019 was a dream come true and a major milestone crossed!
Q: If you didn’t become a musician, what would you be doing now?
A: Brandon – Becoming a professional skater boy. My main motto would be “see you later, boy.” Then I would go to my amazing day job at my local bookstore.
Q: What is new with the band at the moment? What are you currently working on and would like to share with the world?
A: Justin – We’re excited to promote our new EP, Animus (October 2020). We spent the past few months of quarantine writing new music and we’re currently tracking that. We’ll release it in 2021.
We’re looking forward to touring and being back out on the road in 2021.
