Published: April 29, 2009 12:49 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Special Feature May 2009 Edition
Brian Larsen
Brian Larsen
Brian Larsen is a colossal of talent including being a successful Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Producer and Actor. The Baltimore, Maryland native is also winning the hearts of his fans with his strong vocals and beautiful lyrics. Brian's mission is to bring music to the masses and we would say he is off to a great start. In this special spotlight, Brian speaks one on one with our Webzine about his music.
Isaac: How do you sum up 2008 for Brian Larsen?
Brian: 2008 was really a year of creative freedom for me. I had been talking for years about making the album that would ultimately become my forthcoming "Breaking" disc, but it wasn't until 2008 that I sat down and really got the nerve to actually do it. I started recording the album in January of '08 and I finished recording in December, so everything took place within the span of a year. Actually, it's funny… my studio backs to the woods and has these big, beautiful windows, so from the windows of the studio I watched the seasons change... it was really inspiring.
Isaac: Describe the music scene in Maryland.
Brian: Musically, Maryland is a really interesting state. Everything in this Mid-Atlantic region is so tightly packed together, so you've got big cities in Maryland like Baltimore and Towson, plus D.C. is within close driving distance, and there's just so many clubs to play at, like the enormous 9:30 Club in DC, the 8x10 in Baltimore, Jammin' Java in Northern Virginia, and the Recher Theatre in Towson. Still, despite the staggering number of bands and clubs in the area, there aren't many record labels around, so there's a ton of these DIY bands that are doing stuff on their own terms. I'm guessing they're probably not making a lot of money, but it's really admirable that all these guys and girls are trying to make it on their own.
Isaac: What do you feel was your biggest accomplishment for 2008?
Brian: For me, having the focus and the determination to write all the demos for the new album and then to record, produce, and perform every single instrument on every single song was a huge accomplishment.
Also, I was really pleased that I was able to find the time and energy to fulfill my desire to create a fun video blog (www.BlogBrian.com), and I was pleasantly surprised to find that my wacky sense of humor really resonated with people... it's a real shock to see that some of my videos are getting 5,000+ views a week.
Isaac: Elaborate a little about whom were your biggest influences in the music industry and why?
Brian: Well, I grew up with a lot of classic rock influences, so I was definitely influenced by the obvious stuff like The Beatles, The Stones, Fleetwood Mac, and ELO. But, honestly, I'm really impressed by a lot of the newer bands out there - some of these bands haven't even been active in the industry for as long as I have, but they're just so unbelievably talented... bands like Franz Ferdinand, OK GO, and Pinback blow me away.
Isaac: Let's talk about what you feel you will bring to the music industry?
Brian: I think I bring a couple of things to the industry - as a songwriter and musician, I'm really committed to the idea of taking a nice, straightforward song idea and making it unique. So, for example, in the studio I never, ever use a guitar pick... instead, I use all five fingers to fingerpick and then I overdub a part several times. The result is a really full, rich, unique guitar sound. I think I bring together a bunch of different genres - inside me is as much of a passion for indie rock as there is for folk rock, pop, and everything in between. What comes out in my music is something familiar yet idiosyncratic.
Also, I look at myself as an entertainer more than just a musician. I want to touch and inspire people with my music, but I also want to make them laugh and, in some small way, offer them an escape from all the difficulties facing the world right now.
Isaac: If you had an opportunity to work with one artist or group, who would it be and why?
Brian: Without hesitation, I would give up my home, my collection of guitars, both my legs, and one of my testicles for the opportunity to work with Jeff Lynne [of ELO fame]. When I was a kid, my father would listen to ELO incessantly, and I really learned to respect that signature sound that Jeff is able to create. He's not only an incredible songwriter and performer, but he's an amazing producer as well. You know, he produced all the Traveling Wilbury's albums, three Tom Petty albums, and the stuff from the Beatles' 1990's reunion. Now that's a legend.
Isaac: What is the biggest difference between playing with a band and being a solo artist?
Brian: Playing with a band means being a member of a team -- one of many. Obviously, that kind of a democracy can be stifling and frustrating at times, but it can also make the creative process so much easier. Being a solo artist means having unchecked control over everything you're doing in the studio. If one is not careful, that can very become self-indulgent and destructive. It's a fine line, and in my case, I really tried to be cognizant of that from the beginning. I really trust my instincts as a producer, so as a concession to producing my own stuff, this time around I decided to bring in a fantastic mixing engineer, Clay Vernon, to sort-of become my devil's advocate. Clay really understood what I was going for with the album, but he wasn't afraid to reel me in at times. As a producer, I have a really heavy hand, and Clay is what I would describe as a bit of a more subtle or 'gentle' mixing engineer, so I think our styles meshed really well.
Isaac: Describe your relationship with the members of Twilight's Moon.
Brian: You know, Twilight's Moon has always been my baby... it started out in the 90's as a quartet, but really, we were all just kids messing around with music, so the members were pretty much free to come and go as they pleased. The only constant member of Twilight's Moon in the early days was a childhood friend of mine named Trevor Hunter who was involved with the band through the first six albums or so. I think even he understood, though, that Twilight's Moon was really my passion, and he was kind enough to sign over his portion of ownership of the band and its name to me several years ago. After having been out of touch with him for about five years, I just recently spoke with him and he seems to be doing very well, so I wish him the absolute best with everything. A lot of the other members over the years were friends and guest performers, some of whom I still keep in touch with and others whom I haven't spoken to for years. As with any group situation, there were fights and disagreements at various points over the years, but I don't hold any hard feelings toward anybody.
Isaac: How would you describe your music to others?
Brian: My music is indie rock, melodic pop, and folk rock all thrown into a blender and ground up with a dash of alternative and singer-songwriter sensibilities.
Isaac: What is your definition for Rock Music?
Brian: Rock is the tie that binds us all. Rock is everything and nothing at the same time. Rock is Tom Petty as much as it is Tom Waits, Chris Cornell as much as it is Chris Martin and Brian Larsen as much as it is Brian Wilson.
Isaac: What has been the inspiration behind your solo debut "Breaking" (2009)?
Brian: I don't think it started out as a concept album, but that's what it's became. Almost every single song mentions the word "breaking" in some capacity, and for me, "breaking" is such a beautiful concept. Sometimes the word break can have a negative connotation (such as to have a breakdown or to break a bone), but I think the word can be very positive as well (such as to break down boundaries or to break a world record). Ultimately, I think the songs on the album are all very different, but are all lyrically tied together by the notion of the many different meanings of the word "breaking".
Isaac: What can fans expect from Brian Larsen in 2009?
Brian: Well, "Breaking" is being released on August 4. My fans can expect me to play some shows in support of the album during the second half of the year, and there will be national radio and press campaigns in support of the album. They can also expect to see me explore many more embarrassing topics on my vlog, and if those things aren't enough to keep me busy, I've got a couple of independent movie scripts in my inbox that I'm looking into.
Isaac: Time for some shout outs to your family, friends, and fans…
Brian: Well, my family and friends know I love them. My fans are the greatest bunch of people in the world. I get heaps of supportive e-mails through my website, MySpace page, YouTube channel. I think I'm about 7,000 e-mails behind on YouTube, but damn it, I will read and respond to each and every single one of those messages one day, I promise! (laughs).
I also want to give a special shout-out to the fine group of less-than-green-card-holding men and women who keep my lawn well-manicured. You all probably wouldn't understand a word of what I'm singing, but you're all welcome to claim a free advance copy of my album at your convenience.
Isaac: Final words from Brian Larsen…
Brian: Don't do drugs. Support your local PTA. Don't let friends drive drunk. Only you can prevent forest fires. Um... stay in school. Finally, friends, always remember to buy only dolphin-safe tuna. Or is it tuna-free dolphin? Whichever one it is, remember to buy that one and not the other one.
