Interview
Brave Citizens Interview
- Author:
- Review Date:
- 12/18/2007
Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Andrew Capra, I sing in a band called “Brave Citizens”.
How did this side project all begin?
It started as demos I was making on my computer in the winter of 2006- I was experimenting with some different, more ambient material, and revisiting the way I used to song write before. Eventually I made plans to record a few of them with one of my best friends (Adam), who toured and recorded with me in my high school band. When things with my band Hopefield slowed down before tour, I was able to fly to San Francisco and record four of my favorite tunes. Adam joined the project and we spent the summer finishing the EP. The rest just started falling into place, and it’s not really a side project anymore.
How have the fans retrieved your music thus far?
Most of them have been picking it up off of iTunes and Amazon, some just download the lo-fi versions from MySpace. It’s been a week since release but the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Where did the name Brave Citizens come from?
I was just brainstorming names for this project, and this one seemed to stick. I hate naming a band, it’s like pulling teeth, but once I fell on “Brave Citizens” I thought, “Ok, awesome, now back to writing music”. It’s a good one…the kind of name where it takes on a meaning/color/style of its own for each listener.
Will this EP eventually be released as a hard copy instead of just digital?
It’s possible. At shows we have hard copies for promotional use but they aren’t full retail-ready CDs. It was financially smart to release digitally; even still I think it’s the future of music releases. Over 1/3 of the releases this year were digital, labels are tanking, it’s the age of the iPod…it was time to try a digital release and so far I don’t have any regrets. My only concern was the lower than CD quality bitrates on digital stores, but I made sure our tracks were extremely high quality (256kb and up).
Can we expect some merchandise soon, like shirts, stickers, pins etc?
Of course! We have it…all that stuff will be at shows/on the site soon. I think I have some buttons in my apartment. For now, “Revolutions” is our item for sale.
How do you feel about people burning your music instead of buying it?
Honestly, I’m ok with it to a degree, especially for a young indie artist you need to get your music out there. I mean, I can’t even pay my utilities bill with album checks. However, I think fans should support their favorite musicians by going to their concerts, buying T-shirts, and spreading the word to more people. If you play your favorite song all the time and it puts you in a good mood, don’t you think that’s worth 99 cents? That’s how the relationship should work.
What is the meaning behind the song “Young”?
Wow, well it’s certainly a deeper story, so I’ll try and summarize. “Revolutions” was sort of my “coming home” album. In my attempt to channel the nostalgia, songwriting, and feelings I had while growing up, songs like “Young” developed. There’s this place next to the Golden Gate Bridge in SF called the Marin Headlands…I would go there all the time with friends, my high school sweetheart, whoever…and walk up the sides of the cliffs, looking out over the bay at night. I almost feel like I left part of myself there, maybe we all did. Visiting while recording the album over summer I remembered some of the beauty and the demons I wrestled. The song is a dreamlike account of being back there again.
What is your favorite out of the four tracks on the Revolutions EP and why?
Man, tough question! It really depends on my mood. “The Same Way” when I just want to wail, “How Much Longer?” when I’m feeling suave and sexual, “All Or Not” for sheer rock and roll, and “Young” for nostalgia and beauty. If I had to pick a song for them to play at my Viking funeral, it would be “Young”. Sorry, I totally didn’t answer your question.
What is it about music that draws you in to listening to it, writing it and performing it?
The fact that people live their lives by music made me realize that this was how I want to be creative. It has the ability to change and alter moods, stop you dead in your tracks, or give you a rush of adrenaline. I live for the hair-raising, goosebump-making chord changes! Creating in the studio is such an artistic endeavor that I find myself addicted to it. Even more I’m addicted to touring; the thrill of sleeping in my clothes, driving 10 hours, eating at Subway and playing new cities every night.
When did you know that you wanted to pursue music? Who has inspired you in your life to do so?
Actually my mom forced me to take piano lessons at 6. Somehow it just came really easy to me, I quit sports and went full force ahead. My dad was pissed when at 14 when I told him I was starting a rock band (all those lessons to waste!). But he was my hero, he was a drummer in the late 70’s and I still have his albums. His mom was a touring country singer who knew only 3 guitar chords. So I guess it was all in the family. When I started my first band and was going to local shows I thought, “…man, we could do this so much better!” So we did, and I’ve kept a strong work ethic since. Now my parents frame show tickets and wear my t-shirts.
What artists or bands can we find you listening to right now?
I’m in the weirdest A.D.D.-style music listening period of my life. Band of Horses, Mew, The Chariot, Wayne Shorter, Dr. Dre, and a dash of Husker Du.
What can people expect when they come to see you live?
A really engaging, emotional, professional and polished show!
Any message to your fans and listeners?
Thanks for reading, and to our fans- thanks for the support! Please check out the record “Revolutions” if you haven’t already...hope to see you all on our 2008 tour dates.
My name is Andrew Capra, I sing in a band called “Brave Citizens”.
How did this side project all begin?
It started as demos I was making on my computer in the winter of 2006- I was experimenting with some different, more ambient material, and revisiting the way I used to song write before. Eventually I made plans to record a few of them with one of my best friends (Adam), who toured and recorded with me in my high school band. When things with my band Hopefield slowed down before tour, I was able to fly to San Francisco and record four of my favorite tunes. Adam joined the project and we spent the summer finishing the EP. The rest just started falling into place, and it’s not really a side project anymore.
How have the fans retrieved your music thus far?
Most of them have been picking it up off of iTunes and Amazon, some just download the lo-fi versions from MySpace. It’s been a week since release but the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Where did the name Brave Citizens come from?
I was just brainstorming names for this project, and this one seemed to stick. I hate naming a band, it’s like pulling teeth, but once I fell on “Brave Citizens” I thought, “Ok, awesome, now back to writing music”. It’s a good one…the kind of name where it takes on a meaning/color/style of its own for each listener.
Will this EP eventually be released as a hard copy instead of just digital?
It’s possible. At shows we have hard copies for promotional use but they aren’t full retail-ready CDs. It was financially smart to release digitally; even still I think it’s the future of music releases. Over 1/3 of the releases this year were digital, labels are tanking, it’s the age of the iPod…it was time to try a digital release and so far I don’t have any regrets. My only concern was the lower than CD quality bitrates on digital stores, but I made sure our tracks were extremely high quality (256kb and up).
Can we expect some merchandise soon, like shirts, stickers, pins etc?
Of course! We have it…all that stuff will be at shows/on the site soon. I think I have some buttons in my apartment. For now, “Revolutions” is our item for sale.
How do you feel about people burning your music instead of buying it?
Honestly, I’m ok with it to a degree, especially for a young indie artist you need to get your music out there. I mean, I can’t even pay my utilities bill with album checks. However, I think fans should support their favorite musicians by going to their concerts, buying T-shirts, and spreading the word to more people. If you play your favorite song all the time and it puts you in a good mood, don’t you think that’s worth 99 cents? That’s how the relationship should work.
What is the meaning behind the song “Young”?
Wow, well it’s certainly a deeper story, so I’ll try and summarize. “Revolutions” was sort of my “coming home” album. In my attempt to channel the nostalgia, songwriting, and feelings I had while growing up, songs like “Young” developed. There’s this place next to the Golden Gate Bridge in SF called the Marin Headlands…I would go there all the time with friends, my high school sweetheart, whoever…and walk up the sides of the cliffs, looking out over the bay at night. I almost feel like I left part of myself there, maybe we all did. Visiting while recording the album over summer I remembered some of the beauty and the demons I wrestled. The song is a dreamlike account of being back there again.
What is your favorite out of the four tracks on the Revolutions EP and why?
Man, tough question! It really depends on my mood. “The Same Way” when I just want to wail, “How Much Longer?” when I’m feeling suave and sexual, “All Or Not” for sheer rock and roll, and “Young” for nostalgia and beauty. If I had to pick a song for them to play at my Viking funeral, it would be “Young”. Sorry, I totally didn’t answer your question.
What is it about music that draws you in to listening to it, writing it and performing it?
The fact that people live their lives by music made me realize that this was how I want to be creative. It has the ability to change and alter moods, stop you dead in your tracks, or give you a rush of adrenaline. I live for the hair-raising, goosebump-making chord changes! Creating in the studio is such an artistic endeavor that I find myself addicted to it. Even more I’m addicted to touring; the thrill of sleeping in my clothes, driving 10 hours, eating at Subway and playing new cities every night.
When did you know that you wanted to pursue music? Who has inspired you in your life to do so?
Actually my mom forced me to take piano lessons at 6. Somehow it just came really easy to me, I quit sports and went full force ahead. My dad was pissed when at 14 when I told him I was starting a rock band (all those lessons to waste!). But he was my hero, he was a drummer in the late 70’s and I still have his albums. His mom was a touring country singer who knew only 3 guitar chords. So I guess it was all in the family. When I started my first band and was going to local shows I thought, “…man, we could do this so much better!” So we did, and I’ve kept a strong work ethic since. Now my parents frame show tickets and wear my t-shirts.
What artists or bands can we find you listening to right now?
I’m in the weirdest A.D.D.-style music listening period of my life. Band of Horses, Mew, The Chariot, Wayne Shorter, Dr. Dre, and a dash of Husker Du.
What can people expect when they come to see you live?
A really engaging, emotional, professional and polished show!
Any message to your fans and listeners?
Thanks for reading, and to our fans- thanks for the support! Please check out the record “Revolutions” if you haven’t already...hope to see you all on our 2008 tour dates.