Interviews: Brandon Flippen

In this new occassion we have had the opportunity to interview the  Indie artist Brandon Flippen from USA. Check out the interview and this band on his INSTAGRAM .

1.Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that? 

I’d had band names before with the sole purpose of avoiding any sort of idolization of one person. However those projects eventually ended and I realize now I just want people to have the easiest path to finding my music. I think using my name accomplishes that.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?    

This genre is always just what came natural for me. My music is something I think at times writes itself in the sense that it comes from a very personal place, and although I try pushing myself to evolve, in one way or another I my “signature” style seems to fall within this genre.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?      

Since the “reboot” of my solo music career (since I had other projects prior to this), I did develop a specific vision or in my eyes purpose. I think as an artist I have a responsibility to create music based on the things in life I consume. With that I try to tell the truths as I see them and I hope those truths help people navigate their own self-reflection.

4. Each band member favourite band? 

The Fray.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?      

At this point my life has been to most inspiration for songwriting. I have influences from other artists for sure but I don’t think the well of experiences has dried out quite yet in terms of documenting my own life through song.

6. Where was your last gig? 

University of Minnesota Fringe Festival. I wrote a theatrical piece that told a narrative based on the songs from my album “The Passionate Mind” and we performed five shows over the course of two weeks. It was the last time I performed an “official” gig. Otherwise I performed “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” for my best friends first dance at his wedding (if that counts).

7. Where would you like to act? 

I’ve always wanted to perform at First Avenue in Minneapolis. They do shows where they combine a ton of artists together but I always dreamed of headlining a show their because that’s where I saw some of my first few concerts and there is a lot of history there.

8. Whom would you like to feature with? 

       

I’ve always said if I could work with anyone in the music industry it would be Ryan Teddar from OneRepublic. He’s a hit writing machine and I’d be curious to see how he works. I don’t know how exactly I’d be featured with him but it’d be awesome to try!

9. Whom not? 

Chris Brown. I’ll leave it at that.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that? 

The first few times I ever performed live I would get so nervous that my voice would crack in the middle of the song. It was like my throat would close up and I couldn’t swallow or breathe very well. It was so bad that I was actually very nervous about ever pursuing a career in music. However I just kept putting myself up on stage and eventually it felt like home. I think sometimes pushing yourself to do those scary things allows you to overcome the fear.

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

Well most definitely The Fray. They were the band that interested me in learning how to play piano and their ability to write catchy meaningful songs is something that resonated with me. I also really love Noah Gundersen’s ability to capture very intense emotions through words, so I think I’ve tried to push myself in that facet of songwriting.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for? 

I don’t really consider this weird but I have a few fans overseas that have asked me to come play over there. I guess the only reason that comes to mind is because I’m not nearly popular enough as an artist pull any sort of draw overseas.

13. What do you think of your fans? 

   

I love how open my fans will be with how my music has touched them. It has started very deep conversations about things they’ve felt and gone through. That kind of connection is very validating because my vulnerability has in a way inspired someone to be vulnerable with me. I love it.

14.What do you think of our site?

I’ve felt lately that music as a whole is in both the best state it’s ever been and worst it’s ever been. Worst because you have a lot of corruption and stupid deals that put artists into a box to be sold, which also creates this idolization of stars as I mentioned earlier. Best because with social media and different platforms, artists have a chance to build a career completely independently (allowing for creative integrity and personalized marketing). Breathing The Core is part of the reason why I think the state of music is better than it ever has been. You give artists the chance to not only share their music with anyone who cares to listen but also break things down by the kind of music someone might be interested in. An interview like this is also where a small voice like mine can say something they don’t typically have the opportunity to say unless it’s falling on deaf ears. So altogether I’m a big fan.

15. Something add?

My album “The Passionate Mind” is available for purchase and streaming on iTunes/Apple Music, Spotify, GooglePlay, Youtube Music, and pretty much anywhere you can find music. I really just want the chance for people to hear my music because I’m confident there will be something of substance to come out of the experience. Thank you so much for this opportunity to share my thoughts!