PROMISES OF ROCK GREATNESS!
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music press
Welcome to Arcadia, where the heroes are calling!
Check out the recent interview between Brendan the blind guy and Smash Into Pieces as they chat about the bands current tour for their 9th chapter Armaheaven Prophecy and its live shows, plus much more hilarity!
IT'S TIME TO GET LOOSE
Check out the recent interview’s between Brendan the blind guy and The Coronas lead singer Danny O'Riley as they chat about the bands upcoming November 2025 Australian tour plus stories of the bands back catalogue, Danny’s Australian knowledge and so much more clumsy hilarity!
ROCK IS BACK FROM THE DEAD!
Hey Freaks! Rock is Back From The Dead and Long Live Rock Amen! Because Brendan The Blind Guy had the honour of chatting to the most Vicous siblings in rock, drummer Arejay and lead vocalist Lzzy Hale from U.S rock heavyweights, HALESTORM! The chat that emerged, was a fun, relaxed yet insightful conversation between three music lovers sharing the same passion for music! The trio covered topics such as team building skills, down time from relentless touring, coming home after a tour, the bands live shows and so much more banter filled hilarity! Want more? Scroll below for a bonus chat with Arejay
Bonus interview with Arejay
Brendan : So just on a personal level, how have you been since February when I last saw you?
Arejay : Great, so great. I've been writing a lot mostly with chemical fire, mostly with Taylor Carroll, my band mate in that project. And just really, I feel like we're really like hitting our stride, I'm really excited, we have a single coming out at the end of April, this project-called Chemical Fire that we started working on during the pandemic.
Again, like one of those projects where we were just looking for something to do, something creatively when we were just kind of not touring, not playing shows and it felt very weird. We were like oh, but we have to get creative and do something with music, otherwise, we're going to lose our minds. And we had been friends for a while, he plays drums with lit, but he also played drums with pillar and devour the day, he's incredible drummer, but also, a great singer and guitar player and songwriter and producer.
So we put our strengths together, and we started this project during the pandemic called chemical fire, and we've been just writing and working on it. And now, it's three years later, we have finally have something to show for it, we're finally going to release a song. We're going to play a show in Nashville on “Star Wars Day”, May the fourth be with you. We did a show in LA a while back and that was kind of our debut, kind of our introduction to the world and it went so good. We were just so excited.
It's a totally different type of thing. It's more like, it's a two-piece, but it's also kind of got like more of a punk kind of thing, it's a little bit more modern sounding. But really aggressive, but also really melodic, and just very genuine and honest when it comes to the writing and the songs and all that.
So been a bit of a passion project, so I'm excited for that to finally come out, so that's what I've been doing mostly.
Brendan : I was saying to Lzzy before you jumped on, I've actually been practicing my own cover of Heart of Novocaine on the piano and vocals.
Arejay : So cool, can’t wait to hear it
Brendan : I do songwriting as well, one of the songs that I've written the lyrics to, and just starting to recording in my home studio, the opening line is ***************
Arejay : That's brilliant, I love that. Oh my God, can I write with you? That's awesome.
Brendan : Well, I mean, oh God, it would be incredible if I could, if I had you doing the drums and co-writing with me.
Arejay : That's just a cool line, I didn't want to cut you off or stop you, I just thought that was a really great lyric, really awesome.
Brendan : Thank you .t’s so personal for me, because it's both figurative and literal.
Arejay : Interesting, wow.
Brendan : *sings next few lines of original song .
Arejay : Oh, wow, that's solid. Any chance you might be releasing this song? Because I'm intrigued so far. Like coming from, like yes, from experience, like those are solid lyrics dude, those are great.
Brendan : Oh, thank you.
Arejay : It's right to the point.
Brendan : Yes. i love lyrics that can be taken multiple ways. my writing style is based around my own personal experiences and circumstances. I like to express my lyrics in a way that it can resonate with everyone to suit their own personal circumstances .
Arejay : Dude, I hope you keep at it, because you got, it I see a lot of real potential with these ideas that you have. So I hope that you continue and pursue, continue sharpening your gift, because I'm really impressed, honestly.
Brendan : Yes. So that's basically what I've been doing in the past time since you've been in Sydney.
Arejay : Nice. I hope that you stick at it, because I like what I'm hearing so far, and I like these ideas.
Brendan : That is a massive inspiration for me.
Arejay : Oh. Well, that's awesome, man.
Arejay : If you think about it, a great example I always go to is Lizzo’s, Truth Hurts ,when the most memorable line in that song is “I took a DNA test, turns out I'm 100% that bitch” Like in a way, that's even more memorable than the main chorus. I feel my mentality is like if you can hook them in the very first line, then you got them.
Like you obviously need a great hook, and I mean, for me in my experience of songwriting, it's gotten so scrutinous to the point that like every word, every line, every syllable should count. You shouldn't just settle for coming up with a line that vaguely is saying what you're trying to say, but you use it because it's a placeholder and it Rhymes, and it works rhythmically. Like no, make sure that every line means something, really important to you, that's something that I strive for anyway.
Brendan : Good, definitely. So you write lyrics as well?
Arejay : Oh yes, that's like kind of probably my main thing, especially in the Chemical Fire world .Taylor is such an incredible guitar player, and has a great ability to come up with great melodies that really work with his voice, and he's also encouraged me to do more singing and get more involved with that, because he was one of the first ones that saw that I had a voice in me. So yes, with the Chemical Fire stuff, it's both of us singing.
We're kind of like co-lead singers, I wouldn't call it that, because he's definitely the, I guess you would call the ''lead singer'', but like it is very much an equal partnership, which is really cool, it's a really cool dynamic in that sense. But I love words, I love lyrics, and that's always been my way of getting personal problems up, personal frustrations, is putting it into words.
I find that more fulfilling than just coming up with like an instrumental track or something. I would much rather come up with a story first, and then find music that also matches that story. But there's so many different ways of accomplishing that, there's no right or wrong way.
Brendan : Yes, that's really cool. Any of the Halestorm lyrics yours?
Arejay : You know what, Halestorm is another example of a very collaborative effort, which is great. Honestly, like the fact that the four of us have been doing this so long, and we can all do this together. I mean, we found out, especially pretty early on that the best way to make records is for us just to be in the room together, and just to come up with ideas and just have it be there.
But I mean, there's a million ways to do it. There's songs where I'm heavily involved, but there's songs where I'm not involved at all. There's songs that are really heavy on the co-writers, and songs that are 100% equal between all of us. So there's really no one way to do it, and it's really hard to even explain, because we've been doing it so long, we just know how to fall into that. I guess we don't really think about it, we just kind of do whatever feels right in the moment.
So yes, I mean, it rarely ever happens the same way twice with Halestorm, Chemical fire with any outside writing with any other artists or whatever. Like literally, every time is a brand new pathway to get there. You just have to trust the song. Like my favourite place to be in when writing is when all of a sudden, you go from writing the song, to the song starts writing itself, and you're just following after it. But it's different every time, some songs come out in five minutes, some songs take years, you're just kind of chipping away at it little by little.
So yes, it's really hard to tell or to say, because it's just endless the ways to do it, and the way that it's been done for all of us. Like every single song has its own way of getting there, yes, it's crazy.
Brendan : Yes, definitely. All right, that's really cool. I bought myself a Roland electronic drum kit, because I just love dabbling with as many instruments as I can. So even though my focus is on piano and vocal, I just love dabbling with all sorts of instruments. So you're like my inspiration of where I would love to be with drumming. Because I love double kick drums, but my legs don't.
Arejay : Mine too.
Brendan : So what's the technique for good rapid fire drumming?
Arejay : Oh God, I mean, my feet are not really all that fast at all. I know drummers that can just machine gun that type of technique, and my hat goes off to them. But I was a single bass player for a long time, and started re-implementing double bass like literally like going into this album cycle. So I was like oh boy, it's like riding a bike.
But for me, it just took just continuing to do it, and just continuing to work at it, to where I could kind of get back up to where I was. I feel like I'm at a point now where I feel pretty comfortable like putting in double bass fills here and there for some flavour.
One thing I definitely started doing though, and it really helped a lot, before every Halestorm show, we do an hour of warm-up just the four of us in the dressing room, and I have a little practice kit back there. And while we're jamming and I'm just playing, and my hands are like laying down the twos and fours in my kick drum is like providing that groove, I started trying to play where I'm leading with my left foot. So I'm just like trying to like work on playing the same K drum patterns I would with my right foot but with my left foot, and it's really hard, really hard. Because you'll go like da da da da but then with your left foot, you're like da da da da it can be like so muddy with your non-dominant foot.
So that's something I've actually been working on, and something that I think is a cool technique for other players to try if they're trying to get their left foot up to speed, try playing like just normal a single bass drum pattern, but try playing the single Bass with your left foot, and seeing if you can, and I started out real simple. I would just go boom, da da da da and then finally, I could get up to the point where like I'm like boom da da da da da.
So like with every step, I would try to challenge myself to be a little bit faster with my left foot. So I don't know, it's funny because no one's asked me that, this is the first I'm actually thinking about it. Like oh, I forgot I did that. So that might be something to help if someone feels like their non-dominant limb is lacking, try leading with that limb. It's very similar to like if you have a muscle imbalance, if you're in the gym or something, it's good to like start with your non-dominant side, and match the reps with your dominant side.
So that way, you're kind of developing evenly. So I think the same thing can be done with your limbs when it comes to drumming, and when it comes to developing more of a balance with speed and velocity in those senses too.
Brendan : Yes, fair enough that’s great advice. Thank you so much. I absolutely love you guys, and please, pass on my love to Lzzy.
Arejay : Oh, I'll be at rehearsal tomorrow, I'll definitely pass on the message for you for sure. I got your back, bud.
Brendan : Thank you so much, Arejay, it has been an absolute honour and take care.
Arejay : Thank you. And I can't wait to hear these songs, when you put them out, you let me know.
Brendan : Will do. Thanks again, Arejay.
Arejay : All right. Mwah, take care down there, down under. Give my best to everybody.
Brendan : Thank you so much, and see you next time.
Arejay : Well, see you soon, Brendan man, take care man.
Brendan : You too.
Arejay : Thanks bud.
Brendan : Thank you.
GERONIMO!!!
As we say Bombs Away to closing another challenging year, beloved Australian pop band SHEPPARD release their first Christmas song, 'Christmas Without You' a heart-felt sensation, for anyone not able to be with their loved ones at Christmas time. Brendan the blind guy was thrilled to catch up with the Sheppard trio to chat about the heart-felt single, plus their performance at the Lord Mayor Christmas Carols in Brisbane on December 11, the band's third studio album 'Kaleidoscope Eyes' and much more to free-dive into that'll make you go bananas!
LET THE CHAOS REIGN!
Take a deep breath in, and Let The Chaos Reign!
Earlier this year, Brendan the blind guy caught up with lead singer from U.S rock heavyweights POP EVIL to chat about the band's new accurately titled album, 'Versatile' feature hard-hitting rock slammer 'Let The Chaos Reiggn'.
It's the in-depth, powerful words of wosdom, creativity, love and support from "blue-collar" hard-working artists like Leigh that help make music a powerful substance that can pull us out of dark times like the world has gone through this past 18 months!
“LIFE IS SHORT, LIVE IT WELL”
I dare you to move out of your lockdown blues and join Brendan the blind guy as he has an in-depth chat to Chad Butler from multi-platinum rockers SWITCHFOOT, about their powerful 12th album 'Interrobang'!.
Chad and Brendan talk about the writing process of the album during the pandemic/lockdowns, where their minds were at writing and recording the songs, Chad's mad cooking skills and so much more that Bon Jovi himself will try to rip-off surely!
THIS ONE IS SO HOTT!
This one is coming in SO HOTT! Iconic U.S rockers BUCKCHERRY release their ninth studio album 'Hellbound' on June 25 which features new singles 'So Hott' and title track 'Hellbound'.
Brendan the blind guy was thrilled to chat to lead guitarist Stevie D about the new album, their choice to return to a beloved producer, life for the band during the pandemic and so much more to take your top, or bootoms off to in excitement!
Pre-order ‘Hellbound’ here.
“LITERALLY INFECTIOUS”
Multi-platinum selling household names of Aussie rock ESKIMO recently released their "literally infectious" new single '99 Ways' plus announced the 'Black Fingernails Red Wine In The City' National tour, playing both iconic albums 'Black Fingernails Red Wine' and 'A Song Is A City' in both their entireties plus a surprise! "the surprise being..."
Brendan the blind guy was thrilled to catch up with Eskimo Joe lead singer Kav to chat about the new single, tour, Barry Gibbs' vocal warm-ups and much more to throw a ball at!
Check out tour dates, all relevant info and buy tickets for Eskimo Joe’s ‘Black Finernails Red Wine In The City’ 2022 National Tour via the official Frontier Touring website here
“AW THAT SHTINKS!”
This year has been a Pretty Grim year, but live music IS BACK!
Much loved indie-punk/rock-babe RUBY FIELDS and her fellow lads of musical honour, ripped the bandaid off of the concert dry spell for Newcastle and Brendan the blind guy, with two epic shows at the Cambridge Hotel during Great Southern Nights throughout November 2020!
Brendan was thrilled to hang out with Ruby and the band for a chat after the show to find out how they've been through the pandemic, new music lurking in the near future, and lots of banter that will leave a suspicious taste in your mouth as you wonder how a dishwasher got on his leg!
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“I had goosebumps during the show from the purity and earnestness of Ruby and the band’s performance!! It felt like my first gig all over again!
Being a table-seating, atmospheric, candle-lit setting gae the show a special intimate feeling to it, which the way Ruby was able to speak to and connect with everyone personally, not just to a crowd of people in the same way she’d speak and connect with you in any other one-on-one setting made for a truly special night!
- Brendan -”
MUSIC IS FULL OF COLOUR!
New Zealand pioneers of lush musical heaviness, CITY OF SOULS released their lush, heavy, sprawling cinematic album 'Synaesthesia' earl ier this year. Brendan the blind guy was compelled to chat to Marcus Powell and Steve Boag, the latter sharing Brendan's gift of Synaesthesia, to find out how Steve experiences his Synaesthesia, how it blossoms throughout the bands music and performances and much more! Follow Keen Eye 4 Concerts on social media and via our newsletter at www.keeneye4concerts.com/sign-up
What is Synaesthesia? Find out here
“LUCK OF THE IRISH”
This year may have been challenging to say the least, but good things are on the near Horizon!
Beloved New Zealand rockers EKKO PARK recently dropped their long-awaited third studio album 'Horizon' featuring singles 'Uh Oh' and 'All Eyes On Me (featuring Grant Nicholas)'.
To celebrate, Brendan the blind guy spoke to lead singer Joe Walsh, who doesn't know a single Eagles song, about the album, the bands rapid success and more that'll knock you flat on your ass!
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“IF YOU WANT PEACE, PREPARE FOR WAR!”
Multi-platinum US rockers SEETHER release their eighth studio album 'Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum' and Brendan the blind guy caught up with drummer John to chat about the album, the band's full-production live online concert 'Locked And Live' to be held on August 31 and more!
Grab a copy of the new album at https://found.ee/SiVisPacemParaBellum
Grab tickets to Seether’s Livestream concert Locked And Live at www.seether.veeps
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“LIKE AN HOUR-LONG YOGA CLASS”
U.S rock heavyweights FROM ASHES TO NEW drop their highly anticipated third studio album, 'Panic' featuring singles 'What I Get' and 'Panic'.
To celebrate the release of their new album, vocalist Danny Case had a chat to Brendan the blind guy about the idea behind the album, the bands writing methods and much more hot 'n' spicy magic!
“I could not even begin to fathom that times a hundred! ”
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“YOU CAN’T ESCAPE WHO YOU TRULY ARE IN YOUR CORE”
They say "all roads leads back to Rome", with "Rome being a kinda metaphor for yourself" so it's fitting that one of Australia's best story-tellers, Mr. JOSH PYKE has returned to his inner home in music after a three-year hiatus!
Brendan the blind guy caught up with Josh to chat about his new album 'Rome' plus upcoming intimate tour, projects on his hiatus and more!
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Check out the press release announcing Josh Pyke’s new album, intimate tour and more here.
“I WISH I WAS A SLICE OF CHEESE”
Classically trained pop new-comer MONTANA SHARP drops her mysterious, theatrical and spine-tingling debut single 'Greenhouse' Brendan the blind guy had a chat to Montana about the single and more that’ll make you feel like a Disney Princess!
“Apart from it having the obvious humorous lyrics, it’s actually quite beautiful as far as the music goes and all in all, shows a rare creativity and talent for songwriting which I think people will love!” Brendan - ‘A Slice Of Cheese’
View the press release for ‘Greenhouse’ by Montana Sharp here.
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“IT IS WHAT IT IS AND I’M STRONGER FOR IT”
The talented and inspirational blues-rock guitar prodigy NATHAN CAVALERI unveils his new album 'Demons' featuring emotive single 'Before You Check Out' plus announces a string of headline Australian tour dates, a spot on the Bluesfest 2021 line-up and an episode on ABC's Australian Story, sharing his incredible story!
Brendan the blind guy had a deep, meaningful and uplifting chat with the prodigal guitarist about the new album, beating Leukaemia, selling out arenas with some of the industries biggest names and much more!
For the ABC Australian Story episode on Nathan Cavaleri, click here.
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Check out the press release announcing new single ‘Before You Check Out’, album ‘Demons’ and more here
“A MASSIVE CELEBRATION OF SOMETHING WE ALL LOVE”
It's time to brush the dust off the doom and gloom of 2020 and get excited, because Swedish metal-masters IN FLAMES are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their breakthrough album 'Clayman', with the release of the album remastered plus the addition of four re-recorded tracks and a new instrumental track!
Vocalist Anders recently spoke to Brendan the blind guy about the album, the bands' career in the past 20 years, the key to a good performance and much more retro-fun that'll make your mouth water!
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Check out the Clayman 20th Anniversary Edition press release here.
THE EXACT DEFINITION OF FUNK!
All the people seeking a pick me up for the cold Winters' week, look no further for I present to you singer, songwriter, composer, producer, author, poet, painter and environmentalist, the stunning and talented GRACE FARRIS!
Brendan the blind guy had a chat to Grace who recently dropped her "explosive fireball of funk" new debut single 'All The People' off her upcoming debut album 'Grace' featuring a impressive line-up of performers. On top of that Brendan and Grace talked about Grace growing up with her rockstar dad, the legendary Andrew Farriss from INXS and much more!
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View ‘All The People’ press release here
METAL, IT’S NOT JUST A GENRE, “IT’S A WAY OF LIFE”
Tremble in fear at the howl of the banshee, as the king of madness himself, Matt 'Sinner' the bassist and vocalist from German Power-Metal masters PRIMAL FEAR chats to Brendan the blind guy about the bands new and best album yet, 'Metal Commando, plus what metal music means to Sinner, how he's been coping through these troubled times and much more!
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