Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: Hey, good to chat with you. So, my name is Brian, married, father of three, and an attempted multi-instrumentalist. I’m a songwriter primarily, but I love production and arrangement. I can’t say I grew up in a musical household, but my folks play a lot of records and tapes. What really activated the music bug for me was hearing the Gordon Lightfoot song, “Sea Of Tranquility”. There was something about it that made me think (in toddler terms) “Wow! I want to make sounds like that!”
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “Brian Jin”?
A: Well, I am going to be a little more aggressive with this new album we’re finishing up to have out in September, and “Birth of Nations” is a part of that that we have coming out this May. This is something like our… seventh?… album. The production value went way up from the last several, and most importantly, the nature of the songs has greatly improved. The album, as a whole, and “Birth of Nations”, specifically, address bigger things, and I really want to get it in as many ears that are willing to hear as I can. What that looks like is hitting up the curators, reaching out to friendly radio, and what I call “running for President,” which is getting out in front of people and playing, whether it’s showcases, open mics, what have you.
As far as people discovering us for the first time? A message? Make sure the door is closed. A squirrel gets in here, the place will be upside down for months!
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: I really enjoy all kinds of music. I never lose sight of the classics my folks introduced, like The Beatles, obviously, Billy Joel, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Gordon Lightfoot, Al Stewart. There’s what I came of age to, R.E.M., Radiohead, Counting Crows. Now, there’s a whole bevy of new artists that inspire and inform, many of which do so on a personal level as we’re all connected now more than ever. There’s Rose Alaimo, who I’ve collaborated with previously, and she’s provided engineering support for this album. If you want to hear the real heirs to The Rolling Stones throne, look no further than Postindustrial Poets. There’s real rock energy in Portobello Express. A little closer to home, Voodoo Planet brings our Midwestern experience to life mixing country and rock, and if I didn’t mention The Empty Pockets. They have really engaging shows, and voices that almost can’t be contained on a record.
As far as inspiration, I tend to focus on small moments. They say country music focuses on simple Everyman situations. I tend to get more granular. What about that one moment? That particular set of five minutes? And then the “yeah, but…” that gets thrown in. Now, in the case of “Birth Of Nations”, and the other songs on the forthcoming album, there’s a little bit more grandiosity in the subjects, but the small moment approach is still there.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “Birth of Nations.”?
A: “Birth Of Nations” began as this theoretical. I mean, it sounds like some kind of writing exercise, but I was working on this progression, and a thought came to me. I was spending a lot of mental energy on the Antediluvian world, as one does, and I thought, “What would it sound like if Adam wrote Eve a song on their anniversary?”
From there, the words just kind of poured out. After I looked at what I had done, I was astonished, because the song was like a three minute onion. Yes, I had this scenario where the first man was singing devotionally to the first woman, but it transcended that and carried God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah. But the words go even further than that. There is a nod to the Immaculate Conception, the Passion of the Christ, and ultimately, the song is now, and will continue to be, a dedication to mothers everywhere. It is a continuous dedication.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: Really? One word? Lofipsychedelicgaragefolkrock. How’s that? I’m not sure it’s a one word answer. We did the psychedelic jam band thing with BIRMINGHAM NEW STREET & OTHER EXPERIENCES back in 2020. We did sort of a psychedelic folk record with YOU ARE THE MOON. Our last album, A HUSH FALLING OVER THE WEST, was our attempt at prog rock. So, I guess the jury is out on a real one word answer.
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “Birth of Nations”?
A: Trying not to be a perfectionist is the biggest challenge. Taking “Birth Of Nations” for example. As she had a surprise presence in the song, I wanted to give my absolute best performance for the Blessed Mother. How do you do that though? I had what the song should sound like in my head, then I have what my voice actually sounds like! I had to realize the best way to approach getting this song to sound right was to sing with a knowledgeable smile on my face. I had to be Adam, having dealt with being ousted from the Garden, dodging the hazards of a world I wasn’t ready to navigate, learning to till the land, work with my hands, and generally survive. I had to take all that, look at what I accomplished, and smile, and sing this song.
Outside the studio, there’s the pressure of following up our last album, A HUSH FALLING OVER THE WEST, that got us a nomination for a Josie Music Award. Anything we do now has to be better than that.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: I don’t know that I have a specific message. I write about whatever’s on my mind at the time. As far as goals, I guess I would like to sell enough records, or stream enough where I can buy a new car, maybe tour the entire country. But seriously, I want to make something beautiful. And buy a car. But mainly make something beautiful. But if you, kind readers, each go and buy some Brian Jin music, I’ll have that 1977 Ford Granada in no time!
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: I got to meet Gordon Lightfoot once after a show. I would have loved to produce an album of his. A few years before he passed he wound up releasing the type of album that I would have suggested anyway. SOLO was just his voice and his guitar. No frills. As far as performing, I would say I’d be open to jamming with anyone.
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: Ha! I’m not sure I’m even in the industry yet! Actually, I would say don’t be hard-headed. Don’t show up expecting anyone wants to hear you. Take your time and learn your language. Have a sense of humor, and don’t be married to the age. Also, don’t let the pursuit of art keep you from living life. At the end of it all, we’ll all be gone and forgotten, but how you spend your time, and who you spend it with, might just keep you in memory for much longer.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: What I just said. Don’t let art hold you back from actually living. I think the key to happiness, in some ways I did alright, and in other ways I was late to the party, the key to happiness is being well-rounded. Have your art. You’ll have time for it. Learn a hard skill. See some places, and not from load in and driving out of town. Have a family and be present. If the art is important it’ll stick around. If anything, living a real life is what will give you ammunition for the best songs you’ll ever write.
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