Published: May 21, 2009 2:58 AM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight May 2009 Edition
Picture Me Broken
Picture Me Broken
Strong female vocals, beautiful colorful lyrics, enriching storytelling, and insane guitars are just some of the things you will find when you listen to Picture Me Broken. The band's music is a mixture of hardcore rock, metal, and punk. But, the outcome is something that is original. This is what will bring fans to want to listen to Picture Me Broken is their originality. In this recent interview with Layla of Picture Me Broken, Layla shares a little more about the band and what fans can expect from them in the coming years.
Isaac: How do you sum up 2008 for Picture Me Broken?
Picture Me Broken: 2008 was a defining year for PMB as it was really the first year in which we began creating our own music. We finally felt as though we could take ourselves seriously as a band and begin building upon and expanding our goals. Our stage performance also shifted from a bunch of awkward kids standing up there to a high-energy professional looking band, which continues to improve into year 09. I really feel like 09 is a great year for us, it's been killer so far between our overwhelming amount of shows, new material, new recordings in the near future and our spot on SF warped tour that all of our hard work in '08 has made possible.
Isaac: What do you feel was the band's biggest accomplishment for 2008?
Picture Me Broken: I am most proud of the fact that we were able to convert ourselves from a classic rock cover band to an all-original hard rock/popcore band in a matter of months. Some of the most prominent songs on our set list were formulated in '08 like "Live Forever" and "Dearest (I'm So Sorry)".
I also feel that our success in the MTV2's Rock the Revolution contest to play at Linkin Park's show served as a huge motivation for us to get serious with our writing and skills as a band as well as a momentous accomplishment in itself.
Isaac: Describe the music scene in Redwood City, CA.
Picture Me Broken: It's actually fantastic here around the Bay Area. There's an
abundance of other local bands and we all support each other for the most part.
The venues are nice as well as the kids who come out and support the local
music scene. I'm very active within the music scene even disregarding my band.
I go to copious shows a month to go support other local bands and photograph.
Isaac: elaborate on the concept behind Picture Me Broken.
Picture Me Broken: The name in itself wasn't intended to be conceptual. We were
simply seeking a name that had a darker connotation that was almost slightly
poetic. Picture Me Broken also leaves a lot of room for personal interpretation. I have my own way of defining it, as does the rest of the band.
If you were to conceptualize us as a band, I would put a lot of weight on the fact that we're young and all about the DIY aspect of the industry and songwriting. Everything we've ever done is on our own because that's part of it. Being a self-sufficient band is the job, we love doing it, we love making our own music and putting only ourselves into everything we do.
Isaac: Elaborate a little about whom were your biggest influences in the music industry and why?
Picture Me Broken: Our biggest influences aren't necessarily the biggest names
out there because like us, one can be sure that what you're getting from these
bands is original, genuine and self-generated. Blessthefall is probably our
most defining influence. Their music combines hardcore elements with intricate
catchy melodies and extreme musicianship. They're also the nicest bunch of
dudes I've ever met. One will also find traces of Escape The Fate, Silverstein,
Avenged Sevenfold, Coheed and Cambria and Breathe Carolina.
Isaac: Let's talk about what you feel you will bring to the music industry?
Picture Me Broken: We want to make music with post hardcore/emo/scream elements that isn't as clichéd as the overwhelmingly oversaturated genre itself. We also hope to make the genre more accessible to the general audience.
Isaac: Layla, you are the daughter of the Legendary Gregg Allman. What did you learn growing up about music from your dad that you have used in your own style of performing?
Layla: I didn't grow up with my dad nor does he have any influence on my music that goes beyond genetics.
Isaac: If you had an opportunity to work with one artist or group, who would it be and why?
I'd love to collaborate with Craig Mabbitt of Escape The Fate. He is in my opinion one of the most talented singers/screamers in the genre and manages to create that kind of music while maintaining the catchiness of the songs.
Isaac: How would you describe your music to others?
Picture Me Broken: Paramore with balls.
Isaac: What is your definition for Rock Music?
Picture Me Broken: High-energy music created by the actual people in the band that isn't overproduced or fake.
Isaac: What type of feedback have you received from your previous releases?
Picture Me Broken: Several people have said that we sound like a harder version of Paramore. I'm not totally stoked on the Paramore comparison because I fear that since I'm a girl people will automatically draw that conclusion but considering their success in the past couple of years I take it as a compliment.
Isaac: What can fans expect from your new EP you are working on currently? What is the inspiration behind the EP?
Picture Me Broken: The new EP is going be a lot catchier with more strategically written breakdowns. It will contrast with our first EP in the sense that we're smarter, more mature song writers. We're drawing some more metal influences on this one, and well as straight up pop rock. It's going to be a very original sound and we're stoked for people to hear it.
Isaac: What can fans expect from Picture Me Broken in 2009?
Picture Me Broken: Huge amounts of new material, we're also trying to play
around different areas of California. You can also look out for a new
EP (or two)and catch us at the the SF Warped Tour show.
Isaac: Time for some shout outs to your family, friends, and fans…
Picture Me Broken: Leyla Nielsen, Shannon Coulson, Neiko Basile, Evan Radkey, Jono Beckman, Sami Doll and anyone who has ever supported20us in any way, thank you so much.
Isaac: Final words from Picture Me Broken…
Picture Me Broken: Come hang with us at SF Warped Tour! We'll be around after our set.
