Mike O: Thank you for taking the time out to talk to us Brian,
it is really appreciated.
Brian : my pleasure!
Mike
O: I love it when a project has a name that really makes you think and
The Company We Keep does that, where did you come up with that name?
Brian
: A few years back, while I think I was still playing drums for BNO, I
went to get dinner with my roommate. We were having a pretty serious
discussion about what was happening around us, with our friends, etc..
and she said ",Well, we are the company we keep ya know", and it really
stuck with me. Obviously its one of those phrases that had been around
for years and years, but something about it really clicked with me and
my situation. I felt it worked well, since I always plan on involving
friends with each song I do, and because once I start releasing
originals, all the lyrics will most likely pertain to the people around
me.
Mike O: It seems you have been keeping yourself
really busy since the breakup of The Receiving End Of Sirens, besides
The Company We Keep what else have you been up to?
Brian : I've
been tour managing a band called Motion City Soundtrack, which is taking
up most of my time. Besides that, I'm working on 3-4 other music
projects, some with friends, some alone.
Mike O: I
just read your blog when you were talking about your solo project, is
The Company We Keep the project your talking about?
Brian : Yes
and no. The Company We Keep is what I'm mainly focusing on right now,
but it's always going to involve as many friends as i can on each track.
I'm also working on a project that will be just me, playing everything,
and somehow even singing if I can get up the courage.
Mike O: What would you say are the main
differences between TREOS and The Company We Keep?
Brian :
There's not 4 sweet dudes hanging around to help me all the time! TREOS
was mostly organic with a side of electronic, I think this project is
the other way around.
Mike O: Both
songs on your myspace are covers, and both have guest vocals. Is this
going to be a major theme when you release a physical copy of your
music?
Brian : Yes, everyone TCWK song will have guest vocals,
and sometimes guest players as well. The covers just kind of came about,
and I'll definitely keep doing more because I have a great time doing
it, and I think its an easy way to let people know what im doing.
Mike O: What would you say is the main inspiration of your
new music?
Brian : Just being alive. all I ever want to do is
make music, so every day that I can, I'm happy. All of my closest
friends are amazing musicians, so we always push each other, which is
great.
Mike
O: The music you make has such a different sound compared to a lot of
music today, what equipment do you use?
Brian : So far its been
mainly a laptop, and sometimes an electric guitar. I've been using a few
different types of music software, and then with "stuck on you" I
recorded an electric guitar on top of all the electronics.
Mike O: Is there a set time that you want
to have your solo release done and released by?
Brian : No
deadline, but I want to try to make it happen asap so I actually do it!
Mike O: Have you started playing any
shows as The Company We Keep?
Brian : Unfortuneately no. Once I
have originals ready to go, and a record out, I'll be trying to play as
much as possible.
Mike O: What should fans of yours
expect to get out of your live show?
Brian : My goal would be to
have a band live... I wouldn't want to just sit on stage with a laptop. I
think it's great when I see people do that, but I don't think I could
pull it off.. I'd rather have a bunch of friends up there playing stuff,
to keep with the theme of the project.
Mike O: Any last messages you would like
to send to all of your fans?
Brian : Just thank you for still
supporting me, for any of you who have been there through any bands I've
been in before. It means a lot. Please spread the word about this
project and hopefully more people will pay attention and enjoy it as
well!