Having already established himself with a breadth of dazzling delights these last few years, US artist brx has now returned once again to deliver his anthemic new single 'SHOUT'.
Lifted from his newly unveiled EP 'IT'S PRONOUNCED BROOKS', which is available to stream now, 'SHOUT' makes for a vibrant return for the frontman at the helm. Bringing back more of that tenacious pop-punk energy he has been building recently, he returns to the fold with one of his most enjoyable efforts to date.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
That’s got to be my first electric guitar. I got a Squire Strat for my eighth grade graduation. Standard classic black. I beat it up pretty good and by the time I was a senior it was looking pretty rough. I crudely chipped the paint off and spray painted it a metallic blue and pasted cut up comic books to the pic guard before sealing it. Still have it.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I was always a fan of punk. My step dad worked in a record store and would bring me some great music home. Once I got Clash’s Combat Rock I was pretty much rocking that sound now stop. Of course, my all time favorite singer-songwriter has to be Billy Joel. Cheesy, yeah, but the guy writes great songs with catchy hooks that rattle around your brain for a lifetime.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I met a drummer for a punk band when I was pretty young who hooked me up with a bunch of albums on vinyl. It really stands out as a moment that defines the genre for me. Seven Seconds - The Music, The Message, Nofx - Fuck the Kids (7 inch) and a Dropkick Murphys split with the song Barroom Hero we’re in the mix, but the compilation album was, Survival of the Fattest from Fat Wreck, was epic.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Solsbury Hill by Peter Gabriel. I will not elaborate.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I like to revisit songs I wrote when I was younger. I try to capture the feeling I had when nothing but the moment I was living in mattered and drive it towards something new and more mature. I’ll play the riffs a million times and build out chord progressions to kick around for months.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Drop what you’re doing and listen to the album Don’t Lose Your Dinosaur from Brace Face. I’m one of the only people I know still with a CD rotation in my Jeep. The latest from Blink-182, Green Day, Rancid, The Hives, Sum 41 and Hot Muligan have been my go to cruising soundtrack.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Such a hard question. I really like doing shows with friends and not thinking about that level of performance. If Jeff Rosenstock did a solo show I might be a good fit.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
For me, music is all about passion and community. The best part about being a musician is bringing people together to share their voice and lose themselves in the moment. It’s messed up to think, but if I wasn’t playing shows and sharing my songs I don’t think I’d have any friends at all.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The commute. I love driving and being out of town, but spending an hour and a half on the road to get to see my friends and play some songs gets old. The drive home is a killer.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as an artist?
Tigers catch 10% of the prey they stalk. Sharks travel thousands of miles to feed. 80% of success is just showing up. Read into that what you will. And be grateful, thanks.
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brx's new single 'SHOUT' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.