Interview with Brian Platter of The Last Reign

May 26, 2021

Interview with Brian Platter of The Last Reign

By Mick Michaels

COSMICK VIEW: Hello, Brian! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it's greatly appreciated.

CV: Do you feel that it's still possible for an unknown band today to be plucked out of obscurity and make it to stardom? Can a dedicated core of fans sharing their music make that possible or has the internet and social media changed the game?
Brian Platter: Although I try to keep a positive mindset with regards to something like that, I find that it is near impossible to make it nowadays. Hell, it’s near impossible to even be heard. The internet and social media has practically destroyed original music. Fans can play a big part, but at the same time they are also bombarded by dozens of other artists to sift through.

CV: Do you feel that given the accessibility and social awareness of modern times that a music underground still even exists today as it once did?
BP: I believe that there is still a music underground, it’s nowhere near what it used to be like. Even outside of a pandemic, people don’t want to go out and spend money anymore…let alone on music. It’s extremely disheartening. As I get older, I know why original artists just end up playing in cover bands.

CV: What do you see as the biggest difference in music and how it is perceived from back say 35 years ago compared to music today? Has both the music and the artist evolved from your point of view?
BP: I feel that music was actually revered 35 years ago. Popular artists who you saw on stage were the musicians and writers, not just a face. I don’t know how things got so bad. To be honest, I feel like music has taken a back seat. It’s all about instant gratification and the next popular YouTube trend.

CV: Do you believe bands and artists who have the biggest impact on fans and other artists are aware that they are or is there more of a tunnel vision sort of process for them keeping them somewhat in the dark? Can influential artists see past their own work to be aware of the ripples they make?
BP: Creatives as a whole have tunnel vision on what effect our art has on people. If there was one benefit to social media, it would be artists being able to connect with their fans easily. Due to that, artists are aware of the impact they have on their fans. I don’t personally think an artist would be able to see their influence on their own.

CV: Does music need to be influential to be considered worth listening to in your opinion? Or can music simply be just an enjoyable auditory experience devoid of substance?
BP: Music is subjective. I don’t think that any art is completely devoid of substance. It’s just whatever your tastes are. I think being an enjoyable experience is substance in and of itself. However, the songs that are more influential may have a more lasting effect.

CV: The world has been rocked by the COVID pandemic. The economy has been sent into a tailspin in its wake, unfortunately. Bands worldwide have been restricted with performing live and some it seems, restricted from earning a living. How has the pandemic affected your band? Are you hopeful that 2021 will see many of the restrictions lifted?
BP: The pandemic has definitely hit us quite a bit. Being a small band, we revel in being able to play shows. That’s where we are able to get exposure and help make a name for ourselves, on top of it being the best place for us to sell merchandise. You can only push for that stuff so much online.

CV: What do you feel artists and bands can do right now to stay relevant, especially in an environment, such as the present, where performing in front of a live audience is being restricted? What immediate options do you see available?
BP: As I mentioned above, first and foremost, try to sell what merchandise is currently collecting dust in your practice space. Other ways to stay relevant are doing live streams, releasing music videos and staying current on social media platforms. They are really the only options we have available right now.

CV: As an artist, what have you learned from the events of 2020? Are those lessons learned different for you as a person than as an artist or are they one in the same in your opinion?
BP: I’m not sure what there is to take away from 2020 other than how much harder it was to be a musician and am counting down the days until things go back to normal. I feel the same way as a person as well.

CV: What's next? What can fans expect to see coming in 2021?
BP: With the release of our sophomore album in September 2020, we hope to finally have our CD release show which will most likely act as our vinyl release as well which is coming August 2021. We also have an 80s cover EP in the works that should be out Summer 2021 as well. And as long as the pandemic finally wavers, we want to hit the road on some weekend excursions as well and get our music out there to new fans.

CV: Thank you again Brian for spending some time talking and sharing with our readers. It was such a pleasure. I wish you all the best.

Check out The Last Reign at:
Official website in development: www.thelastreign.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelastreignmusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelastreign/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheLastReign716
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFBq1e430pzSL2mWL2jxV_w
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/588LSViuxUlGIwSwDYKPrk?si=MXtz7LyEQd6oTUjiTZzY7A

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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, show host, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.