10 Quick Ones with BRIAN CORN of QUOR – June 2018
According to a recent press release: “June 11, 2018 – Heavy Rock band QUOR has released the official lyric video for “Raising The Dead,” off of their January 25th released EP, The Way We Are. With art and animation by Svitlana Reinish, “Raising The Dead” originally premiered on Loudwire. The concept for the track came from a walk through a shallow burial ground in Ireland, “There was an impact left from the image of the bones laying under the rock patches covering the graves. It made me wonder what those old bones might want to say to us from the grave. How would they view their own actions in life differently now? How would they advise the living to live?” We get guitarist Brian to discuss new music, influences, and more in our 10 Quick Ones…
1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?
The song “Raising The Dead” was inspired on a walk through a shallow burial ground in Ireland. There was an impact left from the image of the bones laying under the rock patches covering the graves. It made me wonder what those old bones might want to say to us from the grave. How would they view their own actions in life differently now? How would they advise the living to live? I think the bones would have a different view on life now that they are no longer living. There is an underlying concept of the ancestors teaching us as children, the future of our kind, to make more meaningful choices in our short time. The hope that we might learn much faster what’s really important. This was the first time bringing in a full choir to compliment the chorus. It was an interesting process watching the director lay the hammer down.
2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?
I had some friends who had started a band and they needed a bass player. I just thought it would be fun to hang out. Didn’t know if I had any talent or anything. I used to sneak my brother’s bass over to their practice. Shortly there after we needed a singer and I seemed to have some ability there so that was that. I’ve evolved a lot since those days and have added some instruments into the mix but singing has remained my focus.
3. Who would be your main five musical influences?
Grandpa B. because he made my line. Willie Nelson. Bob Marley. Elvis. Mike Patton.
4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?
Willie Nelson or Lady Gaga.
5. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?
System of a Down had sex with Mastodon and had a child similar to In Flames who liked to listen to Sevendust and Nothing More.
6. What’s the best thing about being a musician?
Creating something from out of the abyss.
7. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?
Doug is quick to chef it up. He’s excellent at making something from what ever we got and feeding everyone nearby. Drinks are something we all have some experience with. I think we all love to make acoustic snacks.
8. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?
Creating something. Anything. Maybe write a long story.
9. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”?
I have no regrets. Seriously. I’ve give it my all and will till the end.
10. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?
I think it would have been fun to be apart of 30 Seconds to Mars second release, A Beautiful Lie. It’s a great record and they tracked that all over the world to accommodate Jared’s acting schedule. It seems that record marked a real change in the emotions of their music and I’m sure the crazy process of tracking all over the world had some influence on that.
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Category: Interviews