A Dirty Dozen with BRIAN VODINH of BRAVE THE ROYALS – March 2019

According to a recent press release: “BRAVE THE ROYALS is a true departure for its creator.  Modern Alternative-Pop only begins to describe the direction of “Dreamer” and the inspired material that will follow.  The pop-bent, anthemic sing alongs, vintage synth stylings  and soaring guitars tap into a different kind of emotion than the material of Brian Vodinh’s‘other band’ – renowned rockers, 10 YEARS. Vodinh’s organic-meets-digital approach spawned not only the regular version of the “Dreamer” single, but also the laid back, ‘chill version’ of the track. “Music is an emotional and passionate experience”, says Vodinh, “I hope that when people hear this music they can feel the heart and soul of it and that it touches them as much as it does me.” We get Brian to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

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?

My new single is called “Dreamer” and I felt it was a great lead track to really announce the sound of the band and give listeners some insight into who I am.  I tend to add a lot of musical textures into my songs so there are certainly layers of instrumentation that people don’t necessarily hear at first listen.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

My parents listened to music constantly when I was growing up.  Everything from classical to the Beatles and Elvis.  My dad was a violinist and guitarist and my mom used to sing in a group so I got the bug early.  I remember writing something on guitar when I was 11 years old and in that exact moment I knew I had to be a songwriter.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

I really don’t think it was one thing that shaped me musically.  When I was super young it was stuff like Michael Jackson and Elvis, but as I became a teenager I discovered stuff like NIN and Tool and I think my natural sound is somewhere in the middle of all that.  I can lean towards the dark and haunting side but I still really enjoy simple, pop leaning melodies as well.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Tough to narrow it down to five but in no particular order: Zeppelin, Trent Reznor, Tool, Metallica, and Hans Zimmer. And I have to add a sixth, Marvin Gaye, for good measure!

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Trent Reznor would be interesting.  I admire his ability to create such a haunting and dystopian type sound but still make it insanely beautiful.  Or I think it would be cool to have someone like Brandon Boyd from Incubus do guest vocals with me on a song. Tori Amos would be cool too.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

BTR is a little dark with a little light.  There is hope in the music but at times it’s a bit moody.  It’s also really inspired by feel and groove so I think the music makes you feel something and brings energy to you. As far as cringe-worthy reviews, something I’ve heard a few times now is that hard rockers call “Dreamer” a pop song and more alt/pop leaning listeners have called it heavy rock.  I think the song has a sound that people just haven’t digested and heard a lot before so they don’t know how to categorize it…but I actually like that.  I would rather be myself and confuse people than sound like everybody else.

7. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

For me, it’s therapy.  I enjoy being able to get things off my chest by pouring them into my lyrics.  And, it saves me money on going to a shrink!

8. 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?

Usually I initiate the singalongs, that’s always a good time!  As far as cooking, I would say that Chad would probably be the main one into that.  Chad is also a beer guy, always looking for new local options in each city we are in, so that’s his world.

9. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

I played the fests in Europe with my other band, 10 Years, several years ago and I was pretty starstruck when I saw James Hetfield.  I was a massive Metallica fan growing up so that was probably my moment.

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

I can’t imagine a life where I’m not in music, but I was on the path to medical school when I was younger so I would probably have gone into medicine.

11. 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”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I always overthink singles.  Since the song “Wasteland” was my first single as a professional musician in the early days of 10 Years, we have spent years trying to match or exceed that level of success and it’s really challenging to know which songs are your best options for that. I think there are several occasions where the wrong songs have been released and marketed as singles.

12. 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?

That’s a tough question! Maybe Led Zeppelin IV.  There is something about that album that just seems so magical.  The playing and singing is incredible and the sound of that album is so great.

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Category: Interviews