The sounds of music are a constant open door of sounds that keep your mind occupied. You have to find the right doses to create something that will change the world’s minds and textures of their souls. We sat down with The Simple Radicals and discuss their music, heroes and of course finding those opportunities.
Here is the interview:
What is your inspiration to write your music? Is it your surroundings?
I hate to sound so cliché, but I really explore the things and issues that are near and dear to my heart or affecting those that are close to me. “New Revolution” (https://open.spotify.com/album/4rgBmqnv7h3p5gYPGjiXfU is our most personal and poignant project we’ve ever done. These are such deep-hearted issues in my life and for many others that the words and music came to me literally in the form of pictures and images. I just needed to figure out how to best express them and put them down on paper and then on an album. I see a lot of images and moods when I write. Certain chord progressions, finger pickings and riffs often direct me on how the song is constructed and then the lyrics start to flow. It’s a bizarre process but it works for me. I actually write my songs on an acoustic guitar. Even riffs such as the ones on “New Revolution” (https://open.spotify.com/track/3tgJ0WU69S4ftsyI96IqM4
and “Medicate”( https://open.spotify.com/track/19F4GLlRe2JZCjpc5kvPQq. If it sounds good on an acoustic then it’s going to sound even better when it’s plugged in.
What type of music did you listen to growing up?
I grew up listening to literally nothing but classic and alt-rock like Zeppelin, AC/DC, UFO, Cheap Trick, Pearl Jam, Tom Petty, Pink Floyd, etc. And that’s pretty much what I listen to today. Our band combines the sounds and styles from many of those bands. If you like any of those bands then I think you’ll like our sound. You can check us out on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/19F4GLlRe2JZCjpc5kvPQq.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2rmuHn02XI1CIphHvmh-Vg
Facebook: http://facebook.com/thesimpleradicals
Twitter: http://twitter.com/simpleradicals
Instagram: http://instagram.com/simpleradicals.
Is there someone you looked up as a hero?
Eddie Vedder is my musical hero. I’m mesmerized with his writing and try to capture the messaging, passion and energy that he does in his songs. If I can even come within a million miles of that I’d consider it a success. Pearl Jam’s “Ten” album was life changing.
If you weren’t a musician, would you be doing today?
I’d probably be working at a haberdashery with Nigel Tufnel.
What advice do you have for our fans out there that want to create music?
The music industry today has incredible opportunities but also huge challenges. From an opportunity standpoint, with such advanced technology and portability, you can create some amazing music in your bedroom or home studio and even collaborate with people without having to be in the same room. On the flip side, there’s thousands of songs being released on Spotify and other platforms every day so the ability to break out and get noticed is highly challenging. Unfortunately, the industry is not really looking to develop bands anymore. I think the first thing they ask now is “how big is their social media following?” You’re on your own to develop your sound, talent and audience and then you can try and make it. And there’s no money in the business like there used to be unless you really strike it big on Spotify and other platforms. You only make your money off of touring and selling merch and to do that you need a big following. Tough times no doubt and it’s only for the diligent and resilient bands that want to really invest in their music and build an audience. You constantly have to think and rethink what it takes to break out and get noticed.
Check out The Simple Radicals on Spotify
