Interview with Brewin of The Dark Horde
By Mick Michaels
The Cosmick View: Hello, and welcome to The Cosmick View/MBM Ten Pounder! Thanks for taking some time to chat with us!
Brewin: And thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here!
CV:
Describe your definition of the band’s
sound and style and how does that definition uniquely describe the music?
Brewin: The Calling is a concept album by the The Dark Horde, which is an artistic collective of internationally-recognized musicians, vocalists, actors and artists. The concept album is a supernatural horror story, complete with narration and acted parts, set to an eighties heavy metal soundtrack in the spirit of bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Alice Cooper, that is infused with soundscapes recalling those of eighties horror movie composers John Carpenter and Giorgio Moroderamong others. The music reflects the time when the story told on the album is set – 1989.
Brewin: The Calling is a concept album by the The Dark Horde, which is an artistic collective of internationally-recognized musicians, vocalists, actors and artists. The concept album is a supernatural horror story, complete with narration and acted parts, set to an eighties heavy metal soundtrack in the spirit of bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Alice Cooper, that is infused with soundscapes recalling those of eighties horror movie composers John Carpenter and Giorgio Moroderamong others. The music reflects the time when the story told on the album is set – 1989.
CV:
Today, everyone talks about artist and audience connection. Is such a level of
connection actually achievable for an artist and if so, how have you made the
connection to your fans?
Brewin: The short answer is yes, of course! Simply by the act of creating something and “putting it out there”, it will resonate with others that you otherwise would have had no connection with. Promotion and publicity increase the number of those connections of course, but I also think that the "truer you are to yourself and your vision" the more likely it is that the connections made will be genuine.
Brewin: The short answer is yes, of course! Simply by the act of creating something and “putting it out there”, it will resonate with others that you otherwise would have had no connection with. Promotion and publicity increase the number of those connections of course, but I also think that the "truer you are to yourself and your vision" the more likely it is that the connections made will be genuine.
CV:
Is fan interaction an important part of the
band’s inner culture?
Brewin: It is (of course), but it is not the principal thing that drives me as an artist (that would be the art itself). It’s certainly important, but it can also be overwhelming and take you away from the central purpose of creating itself. As artists, we all have different approaches and preferences, but I'm definitely more introverted than extroverted in mine. That said, interaction with and support from fans is ultimately what keeps you motivated to create more things - since there's a tangible effect you're having on others, giving purpose and meaning to your work.
Brewin: It is (of course), but it is not the principal thing that drives me as an artist (that would be the art itself). It’s certainly important, but it can also be overwhelming and take you away from the central purpose of creating itself. As artists, we all have different approaches and preferences, but I'm definitely more introverted than extroverted in mine. That said, interaction with and support from fans is ultimately what keeps you motivated to create more things - since there's a tangible effect you're having on others, giving purpose and meaning to your work.
CV:
Can a band truly interact with its fans and still maintain a level of personal
privacy without crossing the line and giving up their “personal space” in your
opinion?
Brewin: I think that any online interaction needs to be viewed through the prism of it being able to be viewed by anyone at any time. Even a so-called "private" message can cease to be as soon as one party chooses to screenshot it and share. So with this in mind it is difficult to be both transparent and maintain personal privacy at all times, but there are lines we all maintain (consciously or otherwise) that are different for each of us. These lines quickly tend to get blurred however!
Brewin: I think that any online interaction needs to be viewed through the prism of it being able to be viewed by anyone at any time. Even a so-called "private" message can cease to be as soon as one party chooses to screenshot it and share. So with this in mind it is difficult to be both transparent and maintain personal privacy at all times, but there are lines we all maintain (consciously or otherwise) that are different for each of us. These lines quickly tend to get blurred however!
CV:
Is music, and its value, viewed differently around the world in your
opinion? If so, what do you see as the biggest difference in such
multiple views among various cultures?
Brewin: To me music is a kind of magic…it has the ability to resonate with not only any culture, but many other animals as well. It is an innate response to something that moves you in a way that is beyond meaning and even beyond the intention of the creator. There are of course differences in musical attitudes and preferences across cultures, but to me the differences between such broad strokes is much less than the differences between any two given individuals of the same culture. Appreciation of music, or at least of the power it holds, is universal however.
Brewin: To me music is a kind of magic…it has the ability to resonate with not only any culture, but many other animals as well. It is an innate response to something that moves you in a way that is beyond meaning and even beyond the intention of the creator. There are of course differences in musical attitudes and preferences across cultures, but to me the differences between such broad strokes is much less than the differences between any two given individuals of the same culture. Appreciation of music, or at least of the power it holds, is universal however.
CV:
Do you feel that a band that has an international appeal, will tend to connect
more so to American audiences? Would they be more enticed or intrigued to see
the band over indigenous acts because of the foreign flavor?
Brewin: I think any community has an interest in seeing local artists create and perform, but equally an interest in experiencing the creations of others outside their community. In this way, communities can still maintain their own artistic sense of identity and yet have their artistic identity evolve/be influenced by the works of others too.
CV: Has modern-day digital technology made everyone an artist on some level in your opinion? Have the actual lines of what really is an artist been blurred?
Brewin: I think anyone who is conscious of creating something is an artist on some level, anyway. To me there was never really a line between artists and others, unless you have a line say between those who've shared their art to the public and those who haven't, but modern-day technology continues to make this easier to achieve and distribute.
Brewin: I think any community has an interest in seeing local artists create and perform, but equally an interest in experiencing the creations of others outside their community. In this way, communities can still maintain their own artistic sense of identity and yet have their artistic identity evolve/be influenced by the works of others too.
CV: Has modern-day digital technology made everyone an artist on some level in your opinion? Have the actual lines of what really is an artist been blurred?
Brewin: I think anyone who is conscious of creating something is an artist on some level, anyway. To me there was never really a line between artists and others, unless you have a line say between those who've shared their art to the public and those who haven't, but modern-day technology continues to make this easier to achieve and distribute.
CV:
How would you describe the difference between an artist who follows trends and
one who sets them?
Brewin: Majority versus minority, but it is ever thus. Trends only exist because enough artists are following it, yet new trends only emerge because enough artists don't.
Brewin: Majority versus minority, but it is ever thus. Trends only exist because enough artists are following it, yet new trends only emerge because enough artists don't.
CV:
Has music overall been splintered into too many sub-genres in an effort to
appease fan tastes in your opinion? And has such fan appeasements, in
actuality, weakened music’s impact as a whole by dividing audiences?
Brewin: The definition of many sub-genres strikes me as more a marketing exercise than one that is truly seeking to clarify the category of music. But if it helps the band find and connect with their audience, and to distinguish themselves from others, then it is useful. But for me personally, I sought out other ways to differentiate The Calling than a "fancy" sub-genre, haha, and simply describe The Calling as "heavy metal" since that the clearest way I think of describing it to the potential audience.
Brewin: The definition of many sub-genres strikes me as more a marketing exercise than one that is truly seeking to clarify the category of music. But if it helps the band find and connect with their audience, and to distinguish themselves from others, then it is useful. But for me personally, I sought out other ways to differentiate The Calling than a "fancy" sub-genre, haha, and simply describe The Calling as "heavy metal" since that the clearest way I think of describing it to the potential audience.
CV:
What can fans expect to see coming next from you?
Brewin: Considering The Calling is a studio-based concept album, with members - The Dark Horde - in various active bands and roles of their own, doing a live performance is challenging but not impossible. And there are plans afoot to make that happen this year and to share the video. Beyond that, I'll be creating something - I'm always working on something and usually multiple things at once - but it's hard to say yet what's going to be released next. My next release could be a sequel book in The Dark Horde story, another album, or something completely different again like a gamebook or even a board game. We shall see!
Brewin: Considering The Calling is a studio-based concept album, with members - The Dark Horde - in various active bands and roles of their own, doing a live performance is challenging but not impossible. And there are plans afoot to make that happen this year and to share the video. Beyond that, I'll be creating something - I'm always working on something and usually multiple things at once - but it's hard to say yet what's going to be released next. My next release could be a sequel book in The Dark Horde story, another album, or something completely different again like a gamebook or even a board game. We shall see!
CV:
Thanks again for taking some time and talking. It is greatly appreciated.
Brewin: Thank you for your time, support and for asking some really interesting questions!
Brewin: Thank you for your time, support and for asking some really interesting questions!
Check out The Dark Horde at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDarkHorde
Official: https://thebrewin.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarkhorde/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDarkHorde
Official: https://thebrewin.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarkhorde/
Like The Cosmick View on Facebook at:
The Cosmick Voice
Music, Talk & Nothing But Business
www.thecosmickvoice.com
www.anchor.fm/the-cosmick-voice
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.
Spiritual Counseling and Sessions Available
www.pamelaaloia.com
 |
| The Cosmick Voice Music, Talk & Nothing But Business www.facebook.com/TheCosmickVoice |
Comments
Post a Comment