Kendra: Y’all came together not too long before the world took a turn. Do you think that was a blessing in disguise that you had a bit more time to allow the band to marinate without any big expectations? 

Megadose: It would be difficult to call the pandemic any kind of blessing, but it did result in having a lot more time to sit around and write music (a story that has become somewhat of a cliche for so many artists by now, but that doesn’t make it any less true for me). And once the songs were filled out enough to share with the band and actually start recording, the fact that we weren’t distracted by playing shows or promoting definitely helped to keep us focused.

Kendra: Seattle is widely known for one major scene in music, but for those coming up there – what’s a little-known fact about the Seattle scene that only locals would know that you find to be most rewarding?

Megadose: Seattle’s not as big of a city as a lot of people think it is. What I love about playing music and going to shows here is that you see a lot of the same folks around; if you’re open to making friends, it doesn’t take long before you can count on showing up to just about any show all by yourself and bumping into someone you know. I originally come from a much smaller town, so I find that really comforting and fun. 

Kendra: So the lead single from 2023’s ‘Heating Up,’ “Hey 911” kicks off with a sentiment that is one of the most on-point lyrics out there, “This country’s lost its nerve.” How much of the record was guided by the devastating reality of existing in America in the 21st century? 

Megadose: “Hey 911” is actually the only one on the record that deals with the pandemic more head-on. But one thing about writing all of these songs during the darker days of the pandemic is that it made me feel more drawn to the escapism of writing from the perspective of new characters. So while the record definitely has quite a lot of oblique references to the pandemic, it also contains shifts in voice and direct subject matter. 

Kendra: While America is a nightmare, the video has a fun vibe to it – dancing in the kitchen, who doesn’t love to do that? With that, other than “Hey 911,” what’s your go-to artist of choice when you have chores to do?

Megadose: Who do I like to dance to in the house? A few of my old standbys would be the B-52s, Talking Heads, XTC. There’s so much more in the rotation though – Amanaz, Haruomi Hosono, Broadcast, Air, Solange, Prince, Bowie, Daft Punk, Green Day. I recently got turned onto an EP by Le Commandant Couche-Tôt that I can’t stop listening to.

Kendra: “Hey 911” also reminded me a lot of watching Vh1 back in the day and seeing videos from the ‘80s. Does the rest of ‘Heating Up’ share that same vibe? 

Megadose: There’s a lot of that same kind of playfulness throughout the record, but it definitely takes some interesting turns. It does have its darker, more earnest moments. One lyrical theme that stays pretty constant is there’s a fair amount of nihilistic shrugging throughout the record. A sense that the character singing the song is trying to convince you he doesn’t care when he obviously does.

Kendra: Also, being that it’s a new year, have you set any sort of music resolutions for yourself?

Megadose: Writing this record was an exercise in not boxing ourselves into any set tone or musical style. We’d like to continue going where the songs lead us and make some new discoveries.

Kendra: Lastly, with ‘Heating Up,’ out on January 20th, what lies ahead for you? 

Megadose: We’ve got release shows in Seattle and Portland, a West Coast tour in February, and some more shows in the works for Spring and Summer. We already have some songs written for the next record, so we’ll be sneaking some of those into our sets to see how they feel before spending time in the studio later in the year!

The post Hey, It’s Megadose appeared first on ZO Magazine.

A lot of forces are at work to get me to hear Mountains Like Wax. Not only did they wind up in my inbox, but Vecna decided to put them on my ‘Stranger Things’ inspired playlist on Spotify. I can’t deny that I’m now a fan and am happy to have been able to latch onto something that feels new. While we didn’t get to dish about the hit Netflix series, we did chat about how these two came together, Nashville’s growing scene, the new album ‘Before There Was Plenty,’ and more in this back and forth.

Kendra: Other than music, can you remember the first thing bonded over as a band?

Mitchell: It was honestly coffee I’m pretty sure. I was working in a little shop on the square in Murfreesboro, TN when I was in college – Sam used to come in and hang out all the time. He also started working there shortly after. We also really enjoy cocktails and food. I’ve had the pleasure of working in some of the USA’s best-known cocktail programs, so it’s a big part of our off time when we’re out on the road and whatnot. Then Sam is really into hunting and reselling vintage clothing, and I really like wearing the scores he brings back, haha. 

Kendra: When it comes to music there are four major cities; LA, NYC, Austin, and Nashville. Being based in the city known for country music, and being an indie band – do you think that helps you stand out?

Mountains Like Wax: There’s actually a really strong basis of non-country music coming out of Nashville that’s finally getting the recognition it deserves, and not just with rock – hip hop, R&B, and pop are all making strong conversation within the scene. It’s been really cool to see that transition. 

For us, we’ve never really felt like we fit in with many folks in and around Nashville – so stand out like a sore thumb, maybe. I think we always felt the closest with the DIY and emo stuff from the years of cutting our teeth in house shows and whatnot, so I think our goal was more so to draw attention to a scene, rather than just us – but us and our friends also doing really cool stuff. It’s a lot more fun that way.

Kendra: Any conversations about relocating to one of the other three in the near future?

Mitchell: I actually live in Seattle now. All my love to Nashville forever and always, but there’s a bit of an undeniable mindset in the music industry that runs rampant there that I needed to pull myself out of. Or maybe it’s just because I never truly felt at home there. It’s certainly not what it used to be – scruffy, full of charm and life – but more so a vehicle for “the business.” 

There are obviously a lot of folks still doing really important things whole-heartedly there for indie music, but there’s still this sheen to it that feels a bit off for us to be super integrated into it. I also think that the genesis of much of our sound stylistically sort of originated in the greater PNW area, so I felt pretty led to immerse myself in that place and that culture. 

See if anything is in the proverbial water out here, haha. Our mix engineer for the record, Andy Park, is based out of Seattle as well, so really hoping to also work more closely with him over the coming months and some of the other incredible artists he’s worked with. Man’s a genius.

Kendra: Let’s dive into the music but before we talk solely on the present, I’d love to know how you think the other has grown as an overall musician and collaborator since 2015’s ‘Tetralogy?’

Mitchell: I think Sam has grown in every way possible, not just as a musician. I mean, we met when he was in high school, so I think the formative years we’ve been able to share together have dictated much of the man he is now. He started playing in church, but then most of his playing was pretty ambient and sat as an undertone – now Sam speaks out with his parts and lets you know he’s right there. And that’s also not just with music, but with his personality too – he’s not afraid to speak up when something doesn’t vibe, and sometimes that can be frustrating, especially in the heat of the moment – but typically ends up with the best product in the end game.

Sam: I’ve seen Mitch learn to beautifully display his emotions through lyricism. He’s become very bold with what he wants to say in his songwriting. We made the EP around the start of our friendship and Mitch and I have been through a lot together since then. I truly hear how much our personal relationship has grown in our debut LP. 

Kendra: Now let’s switch gears to your 2022 debut LP, ‘Before There Was Plenty.’ You consistently note Mountains Like Wax is “life, as described through a band.” With that, what aspect of life would you say your current record relates to most?

Mountains Like Wax: Life is always happening in stages of growth and understanding – so I think this record was to define a moment of understanding towards a time when I didn’t have much. It was written in a very recollective way because during the main parts of writing and producing this record, I was in therapy for the first time in my life, and when you’ve had a lot of hindering things happen that you’re just dealing with for the first time in life after ignoring it for so long, it definitely can be overwhelming, but cathartic and healing. But what is truly so special about this path and process is that these songs and messages are different anytime a new listener listens to it. And when I get feedback from a new perspective, it also gives me another foothold of growth and understanding. 

Kendra: Listening, what caught my attention most was the line, “You think you’re wasting time because it’s hopeless,” from the title track mostly. After all, I often find myself stuck in a similar state of existence – and I know I’m not alone given the current climate of the world. Do you think that we’re sadly feeling a collective sense of hopelessness at the moment, especially 20 and 30-somethings?

Mountains Like Wax: I think we often feel like we’re alone in that sense of hopelessness and confusion, which just forces a continual spiraling mentality – at least for me. But, obviously, we’re not alone, you know? I guess that is overall the main goal of all of this, is to meet people where they’re at with an outstretched arm and that affirmation, “no, I’m here too. I’ve been through this or AM going through this. 

We can be ok or be not ok together.” That makes it not as scary. And I need that too. I’m also searching in the dark for understanding from other people, I need that. But yes, I do feel that way. And it brings me sorrow but also brings me hope. The understanding of yourself and those around you mutually going through the same grit and grime together builds a sense of kinship that gives us all a base to stand on when the next wave of trials come through life. It’s so important to know we’re not alone. 

Kendra: Time for a side note – and I know we just got a bit deep, but with it being summer, I’d love to know your go-to summer anthem? Like what song must you listen to when the weather is perfect and the sun is out? 

Mountains Like Wax: Oh man, there are a few. I think ‘Lovely Day” by Bill Withers is a huge one, “That Old Feeling” by Chet Baker, and “Me & You Together Song” by The 1975. But then for just a vibe, I am insanely obsessed with 80’s-90’s country. Like George Strait, Jo Dee Messina, Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, that kind of stuff. Immediately makes me smile.

Kendra: Lastly, with ‘Before There Was Plenty’ out now, what are your plans moving forward? Summer or fall dates?

Mountains Like Wax: We’re definitely planning on some fall dates, along with a proper Nashville and possibly Seattle LP release show. We’ve got some irons in the fire and some really special production planned too. It’s definitely going to be the biggest statement of Mountains Like Wax that’s been seen live yet, which I’m really excited about. We’ve taken a pause on the live front for a while now in order to make sure it’s how we envision that experience being. I think it’s going to be really special.

The post Plenty of Mountains Like Wax appeared first on ZO Magazine.

The post JNA with the Good Taste appeared first on ZO Magazine.

Kendra: Is there still an innate pressure when you’re a band from Seattle or have the days of the influence of the ‘90s on the Pacific Northwest sort of died down a bit?

Cameron Lavi-Jones: I think this is such an interesting question because I think a huge element of that 90’s influence has been a focus on being committed to your authenticity as an artist. I know I can’t speak for the entire PNW because man the music here is SO diverse, but for King Youngblood, the influence of the grunge era set the stage for musical philosophies rather than pressures. Grunge is, yes, a genre and a sound, but much larger than that, it is an approach to music centered around being wholly tapped into your artistic integrity. That principle is something we try to apply with every record, every performance, and every time we pop out. I wouldn’t say I feel pressure but rather honored to know that those bands paved the way for us to be able to be the truest form of artists that we can be. If anything, I want to pay that thought process forward, especially for other Black and Brown kids into rock music because that commitment to your art is really a commitment to yourself

Kendra: Sticking with Seattle for a moment more, what made your Emerald City heart freak out more, opening for Pearl Jam or playing a pre-show at a Seahawks’ game?

Cameron Lavi-Jones: C’mon now that question ain’t fair! I’ll say this, there is a magic that happens when you meet your heroes and they are not only good people but people that also recognize the importance of still being a part of the community they hail from. I have to specifically give a shoutout to Matt Cameron. Not only is he a huge inspiration for us but I had a chance to chop it up with him in the studio too. There is no inspiration like seeing your inspirations are just like you. It really helps fight off imposter syndrome and instead acts as a reminder to keep pace and stay true to yourself. Plus, Russ just left so that sucks. It’s still go 12’s over here though, don’t get that twisted. 

Kendra: Now let’s talk about ‘BIG THANK.’ The past couple of years has been intense for everyone, especially those working in music. All in all, is this album just a big thank you to those who’ve helped keep y’all mentally right and creative as of late?

Cameron Lavi-Jones: ‘BIG THANK’ is an album about acknowledging just how goddamn hard growing into yourself is. A lot of this album was written as I was navigating experiences ranging from more personal ones to bigger picture ones, both before and during the pandemic. I mean, coming into myself in my early 20s has been a reflection of my experiences in college, in relationships, with mental health struggles, with identity struggles, with racial justice and visibility, all that. Those things don’t affect you in a vacuum either, they swirl together and become something much bigger than the individual elements, let alone stacking the pandemic on top of it. 

For King Youngblood, music has always been an outlet- a medium to convert negative emotions, experiences, or even simple ones we don’t understand, and through the process of songwriting, convert them into something we get to be proud of. Something we get to shout at the top of our lungs with other people that feel seen by our music. Something we get to reclaim in response to the obstacles that impact our daily lives. Considering the circumstances, I am so proud that we are all still here and more specifically, that we’ve been able to become even more dialed in after trudging through these fires. 

We came out on the other side not just with an album that is the truest representation of us to date, but as individuals who took the time to learn the lessons those experiences gave us. Now, we’re a little more equipped for the work ahead in all capacities.

Kendra: You noted that the band’s come so far and “A Thousand Songs” sort of acknowledges and pays homage to that. Which I think is why it sounds so much like a song you’d hear in a coming-of-age movie. It has this celebratory, humble, growth sound to it. With that, if you could place “A Thousand Songs” in any recent movie, which would it be and why?

Cameron Lavi-Jones: I wish “A Thousand Songs” could have been in ‘Boyhood.’ I saw that movie with my closest friends from high school at this indie, neighborhood theater here in north Seattle called The Crest. The ticket was $3 and the four of us sat there and had not felt so seen by a movie in a long time. But you’re spot on! 

In my last year of high school, the school district had finally finished building a new school and transitioned all the students into it. But they still had the old building on the same grounds so a few times late at night, me and those same friends would pop in and walk the abandoned halls and reminisce. When I got in the studio with our producer (and co-writer on this song!) Eric Lilavois, we got a chance to utilize a lot of the imagery from those memories and saw that they became reflective of the growth and importance of looking back with pride in how far you’ve come too. 

Kendra: Something I’ve noticed about artists from every genre in recent years, including yourselves, is the advocacy of mental health. What do you think led this generation of artists towards this era of pushing the importance of being open, going to therapy, and not hiding one’s mental health in their lyrics with flowery language but being blunt about it? 

Cameron Lavi-Jones: This generation of artists has had a chance to learn from the mistakes of earlier generations in how the stigmas of mental illness impact people, and more importantly, what the consequences of upholding those stigmas actually are. To use ourselves as an example, King Youngblood has a 501(c)3 non-profit called Hold Your Crown that is centered around dismantling those stigmas with a focus on youth. 

The project sprouted from looking back at those terrible assemblies back in school where they’d gather everyone up in the gym, hire some old white dude to tell us not to kill ourselves, as if that was the solution to the very real mental illnesses that our peers were struggling with. That strategy is ineffective. If you want to convey a message to someone, especially one that can save their life, you have to speak to them in a way that will resonate with them. You are always more likely to listen to someone that looks like you, has experienced what you’ve experienced, or communicates with you in the same way that you relate with others. Especially focusing on the youth aspect of fighting mental health stigmas has been incredibly impactful in solving problems before they worsen later on in life. 

For this generation of artists, I know it’s been the same principles being applied and likely for the same reasons too. We all know someone that we’ve lost to suicide or seen their life worsened by a lack of mental health resources. Music is a universal language and I am proud to see that the stigma around mental health has been challenged a lot more in this generation of artists. I know that work is making a difference. To answer your question bluntly, artists are talking and writing about it more because we need to.

Kendra: I did want to ask if you’d be picking up with The Revolution Will Be Harmonized because I took a listen and yes, we want more…

Cameron Lavi-Jones: Yes, we will be back! The Revolution Will Be Harmonized is currently on a break while King Youngblood is pushing ‘BIG THANK’ and simultaneously my co-hosts, Jaiden Grayson, staysafeknox, and I are currently working on Jaiden’s upcoming EP. She’s got a single out now called “MaMa” that I can’t recommend enough. J writes lyrics that I’ve never heard before and the creative energy we have on the show is amplified by about three billion when it comes to music. If you’re a fan of the show I highly suggest you check it out, friend.

Kendra: Time for a side note…since April showers bring May flowers, I’d love to know what song makes you bloom with happiness and why?

Cameron Lavi-Jones: My go-to song for feeling the joy of spring is “Everybody Loves The Sunshine” by Roy Ayers. A close second is “Golden” by Jill Scott but man, Roy Ayers- yeesh. There’s no feeling like sitting in the sunlight, letting it bless my melanin, and listening to that song. The man is a genius and his music is a blessing to humankind. It’s the kinda song I imagine bees listen to while they pollinate flowers and make honey, it’s THAT level of good.

Kendra: Lastly, with ‘BIG THANK’ out on May 13th, what else can you let us in on? Are you touring this year, already working on new music?

Cameron Lavi-Jones: Man, you tryna get me to spoil ain’t ya? Alright, I’ll throw you a few bones. 

Yes! We are touring in the summer, we are still getting all the details coordinated for the run so I can’t give those details, but we are doing some really dope new things that we’ve always wanted to with the release of the album too! We are currently running an Indiegogo campaign to help seed the tour and merch and we’ve got some specialty perks with it- we’ve got these view masters with never before seen performance photos and a comic book based around the band, and finally doing our first vinyls! We are trying to really shake things up and having the support from folks to do so always makes things more worthwhile. If folks are feeling generous they can donate here. 

I can also say that the next album is already 2 ⁄ 3s done and it’s already fighting me for which I’m more stoked for. That’s all imma say on that though.

The post More Than a Thousand Words with King Youngblood  appeared first on ZO Magazine.

Kendra: Whenever I’ve felt the need to get something new off my chest, I’ve started a new blog. Whether it be my outlook on millennials and adulting or just needing a mental escape by making Top 10 lists. When you two came together in 2014, were you driven by wanting to get something off your chest?

The Gods Themselves: Making music has always been a means of getting something off my chest, yes. But in 2014 when I started The Gods Themselves I was just wrapping up another band that had a great eight year run. I felt I needed to continue the musical pursuit as it is my therapy. So yes, it’s about getting something off your chest but it’s also about the collaboration, the challenge of becoming a better musician/songwriter and the overall great time you have creating music with good friends. It’s all that and a bag of chips.

Kendra: Your music has a punk heart set right in the middle of this glamorous new wave meets dance body. Did you grow up embracing the rebellious nature Seattle’s music scene is often known for?

The Gods Themselves: Actually I didn’t grow up in Seattle at all, and was never a fan of Seattle’s musical claim to fame by way of the grunge genre. In fact, we strive for everything it is not. I was more into the punk scene in Colorado where I grew up, and when grunge hit the airwaves, to me it sounded like watered down punk rock. Not my thing and I never really thought that Seattle’s music scene encapsulated a rebellious vibe. Independent yes, but rebellious not so much.

Kendra: Your 2018 EP ‘Glamour & Grime’ kind of sums up your style, but looking back at that record and then at your latest release, ‘New Excuse,’ how would you say the group has evolved as lyricists?

The Gods Themselves: Wow, oh so much! That album was kind of my baby. I produced, wrote, played most of the instruments and mixed that EP. We collaborated on the songs as a group but I was hooked on exploring an element of music creation that was new to me and that was exciting. New Excuse was a whole different ball game. We brought in our big shot producer, Stephen Hague, and Dustin and I brought in the songs but everyone worked on arrangements together. We took voice lessons and practiced our asses off. We were pushed and challenged by our producer and each other every step of the way. Every The Gods Themselves album is better than the last and New Excuse certainly holds true to that timeline. We’re quite proud of it.

Kendra: One song with lyrics I could not ignore off ‘New Excuse’ was “Subliminal Message.” I’ve been interested in the concept of them since the 2001 cinematic classic ‘Josie and the Pussycats.’ For you, what inspired this track, and do you feel we’re constantly surrounded by such things?

The Gods Themselves: Absolutely 100% subliminals exist. Did you get that one? SubliminalS EXist. Most prominently in advertising, but I believe they’re everywhere. I’ve always been fascinated by them and kind of like the idea of a hidden message that not everyone is aware of. Like it says in the song, “My eyes they don’t see the flash on the TV, but I know it’s a secret for me.”

BTW, I need to go watch that movie now. I’m a huge ‘Riverdale’ fan.

Kendra: How has your local music community been impacted by the closures this year? Do you see the industry bouncing back?

The Gods Themselves: It’s bleak. We did a livestream at the end of June. It was strange. Great to be on stage again but playing to an empty room was surreal. Who knows how long it will be before live shows are a thing again, and by that time which venues will be left standing? But I have faith in creative humans. We are a resourceful, resilient bunch. In the meantime The Gods Themselves has been working on a lot of video stuff which is timely due to our recent album release. Also doing art and getting into nature. It helps.

Kendra: Usually, this is where I ask people what they have planned in the coming months but with the world in a strange place right now, plans aren’t as concrete as they typically are. You can go ahead and let us know what you have tentatively planned but can you also share a song that never fails to get you through when the world around you feels like a mess?

The Gods Themselves: Thanks for all the thoughtful questions! We have a gig booked for October. Not sure how likely that will happen but if it does, everyone come out to the Crocodile Café on October 16th! We’ll be there with Kuinka and Dude York…if the stars align.

Far as a song that always gets me through, this one never fails; Michael Jackson “Rock With You.”

The post The Gods Themselves: Subliminal in Seattle appeared first on ZO Magazine.

Some artists have been drawn to it since the start and some bounce back and forth. For Mary Iverson, science kept her busy in college but she said eventually life led her back towards art. All that said, Mary’s art tends to blend both sides of her as she showcases everything from the land beneath our feet to the stars that shine as we lay our heads down to sleep.

Kendra: With art being one of the many things in life that are subjective, do you ever allow critics to get under your skin or is that something you have to learn to ignore early on if you want a career in this particular field?

Mary Iverson: Getting feedback about my work is essential. I always want to hear opinions about what is working and what is falling short because that helps me improve and connect with viewers. But there is a difference between constructive criticism and someone who is being a troll. You can tell when someone is not being thoughtful or is contradicting themselves just to criticize or be negative.

Kendra: You’ve noted that your local National Parks often serve as the backdrop for your inspiration. Have you always been someone who finds themselves out in nature more so than cooped up in the house?

Mary Iverson: Yes, I’ve always loved to play outside! I grew up skiing, camping, hiking, and beachcombing. I do something in the mountains or parks every week and I love walking my dog Vega all over the place. He is named after the star Vega because he has one blue eye and one brown eye (and the star Vega is blue).

Kendra: While nature is huge in your work, are there any creatives outside of art that you draw from like musicians, fashion designers, photographers?

Mary Iverson: Lately I’ve been inspired by science and I love to look at diagrams of molecules. I co-teach a class at my college called “The Art of Biological Life,” and I am always learning something new through that class and getting further inspired by nature.

Kendra: A lot of your work calls for a combination of nature and city life, but the pieces I tend to fall for are those that involve constellations. As someone who grew up in a small town, I miss the stars when I look outside in LA. Where in Seattle is the best place to do some star gazing?

Mary Iverson: To really see the stars, you have to get out of the city, but you can always see the brightest stars and the planets from almost anywhere. I like Sunset Hill Park and Gas Works Park because they are wide open and you can look out over the water.

Kendra: With 2019 rolling by faster and faster with each passing day, what do you have planned? Any gallery shows coming up?

Mary Iverson: I have a show coming up at Antler Gallery in Portland that opens August 29th. It’s a two-person show with Kevin Cyr.

The post Crossing Fine Lines with Mary Iverson appeared first on ZO Magazine.

We talked with Becoming Bristol about being so forward with their latest single, and how they’re paying it forward themselves with their music. Also on the table for discussion was how the two brothers got started and wound up meeting their other halves in the band, and what’s to come as 2018 rolls to an end…

Kendra: Britt and Jack, being brothers – was the musical connection there from an early age? If so, when did you decide to team up with Tyler and Manny?

Becoming Bristol: Absolutely. We share a lot of the same experiences that influenced our careers. When we were around the ages of 12 and 14, my parents had the wild idea of emailing the booking agent for this band on a major label to see if we could bring them to our hometown of around 700 people to do a concert. The management team got back to us with a booking price and our parents sat Jack and I down and told us we needed to figure out how to sell 400 tickets to pay for the concert.

We ended up figuring it out, and we had the band out. Jack and I got to help do load in, set up, and tear down. We fell in love with it. The next week we were in our basement playing one of the band’s songs over and over. That whole ordeal was what I consider the “inception” of this band. About a year and a half later, we played our first “show” as a band. We toured the western US and met Tyler at a festival. He was actually a tech at the festival. Six months later, we ended up needing to a bass player and Ty got in touch. Jack and I met Manny at the university we attended.

Kendra: Onto your latest single that you’re releasing to help those in need on multiple levels, “Brighter Days.” Penned about a friend you almost lost to suicide, was the song something that came instantly when you heard the news or after you had some time to digest it?

Becoming Bristol: One of the most interesting things about writing songs is that they sort of take on a story and life of their own, and they end up meaning “more” things to me as time goes on. I wrote the chorus of “Brighter Days” in early 2015 as a reaction to conversations and experiences I had been having that year. The rest of the song didn’t really take form until 2017. By that time there had been so many more experiences that helped write the song.

Kendra: What I appreciate about “Brighter Days” is that it doesn’t hide behind symbolism. To the point like that of what we hear from the likes of Logic, do you feel like topics such as suicide need to be more transparent in music and pop culture as a whole?

Becoming Bristol: The best art comes from having a wrestling match with deep and unique personal experiences. This can only occur when there is no “agenda” or “goal” in the creation of the art aside from tackling the issue at hand with honesty. Pop culture is inherently dishonest because it seeks to give quick, or simple answers that everyone can relate to.

From my personal wrestling match with this topic, I’ve come to the conclusion that the solutions rests on having “meaning” in life. By “meaning” I don’t mean “dreams,” “goals,” “ambitions,” or even “family.” Those are all things that are temporary and can be taken away.

Victor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor wrote a book called Man’s Search for Meaning. In it, Frankl details out how people in the camps who literally had everything taken from them, could still press on because they had some form of meaning and hope inside that transcended worldly circumstances. Obviously, it’s a lifelong topic to answer, and I am by no means the “answer guy” for this stuff. I wrestle with it and write it out for people to see. Sometimes there are conclusions and a nice bowtie on it, other times not. I think artists need to be okay with no “bowtie.”

Kendra: All of the proceeds from “Brighter Days” will go straight to Anthem of Hope. How did you guys decide upon this organization?

Becoming Bristol: Anthem of Hope recognizes the need for purpose and meaning in a person’s life. They have all of the infrastructures of a solid crisis line and support organization, what really drew me to them was how they recognize the importance of the human soul and its need for meaning. I think they are really focused on the root issue of depression and suicide.

Kendra: Back to the music as a whole, I love the anthemic pop-rock feel of your sound. Was that the direction you all initially headed towards?

Becoming Bristol: We are all pretty diverse in our musical interests! Jack and I grew up playing classical piano, Tyler did classical and some Jazz, Manny was a shredder in High School. Basically, we’re fans of everything from Rachmaninoff, and Coldplay, to Underoath and Anderson Paak. I’d like to think influences of all of that ended up in our music. Our strength is in solid pop-rockish tunes and it’s naturally what we gravitate towards when writing parts.

Kendra: Will we be getting an EP soon? Maybe?

Becoming Bristol: The music scene has moved to single releases instead of EP’s or albums. So right now the plan is to release some form of new music every month for the rest of 2018.

Kendra: Are you guys planning on playing shows as the year winds down? Any other plans to end 2018?

Becoming Bristol: We’ve got a few coming up! We’ll be listing those soon! And the plan right now is to keep releasing music. I’ve got like 20 songs in the works right now. I’d love to get into the studio and sort out of few of them before the end of the year!

The post Seeking Brighter Days with Becoming Bristol appeared first on ZO Magazine.

Over and over, it was the same song – just a different format. All the rock guys were the same. The pop dudes, the same. Singer-songwriters…yup, the same. Then in walked Mike Edel and I was taken aback. “Go With You” made me cry like a newborn entering the world. A beautiful song that I’m sure will be on many mixes from here on out. We talked about the tearjerker, mantras and more as he wound down one leg of his tour and prepared for the next.

Kendra: In “Finish Line” you mention being a few years in and wanting to quit. What drives you to continue on with everything you do?

Mike Edel: Firstly, this song was originally written for my wife and her friend’s graduation, and I played it for the first time at their Graduation Party. My fav line in it is “There’s a marathon in your mind, but there’s no clock there’s just a finish line.” Hopefully, our motivation comes from an artful, positive and good place, rather than from elsewhere.

Kendra: First of all, I cried listening to “Go With You.” I haven’t done that since Paramore dropped their last record. Anyways, it’s an amazing song with an even better message. Was there something major that inspired this fearless way of life that is void of regrets?

Mike Edel: I did that once too! Thank you:) I’ve listened to that Paramore album once, but would love to listen more. Well, the song is about change, a new orientation, and Thresholds, and I think some major life changes inspired it. Getting married, moving countries, turning 30, our parents getting older – things like that. And I feel like regret is such a fascinating topic, and I hope to erase the word from my vocabulary very soon.

Kendra: Tears also streamed because this can and will be an adored wedding song. I noticed you got married recently. How would you feel knowing someone used your music on their biggest day?

Mike Edel: Yes it totally could be – although we took the music video in a different direction. I’m a bit of a romantic but I try to hide it at all costs. I wrote a song called “Two Of Us,” and I’ve experienced this before. Every time I play it, I send out a little prayer that this marriage works out positively.

Kendra: We’ll hear “Go With You” on your upcoming release. It’ll be the follow up to your 2015 release, India, Seattle. How do you feel this album compares to the last in terms of your musicianship as well as songwriting?

Mike Edel: It’s 100X better and cooler. I love the new record more than almost anything.

Kendra: You also went into this album with the mantra, “consistency is boring.” Have you also applied that to your everyday life?

Mike Edel: I’m a pretty consistent human, so I haven’t adopted this for my own life, although in certain situations I lean this way. I think in art/media/culture, we are also looking to stretch ourselves and what we make – this is why we had that mantra

Kendra: You just had a string of shows in California and come September you’ll be playing through Canada. Was that your first time on the west coast playing? Will you be adding to those shows? Just want to know what we can be on the lookout for the rest of the year from you.

Mike Edel: That was possibly like my 12th! We’ll have some more shows later in the fall and have some really fun festivals coming up. Next year will be nuts!

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