- Bryon Harris
Complicate/Simple - 'Music Interview'
Complicate/Simple is an eclectic rock/alternative/mainstream band that borrows influences from rock stars past and present. Unique playing styles and backgrounds converge smooth rock riffs with a syncopated timbre of modernized, smooth, affluent and tasteful tunes. End result: You want to know, sing, tap your feet, clap your hands and jam out to it.
“Complicate/Simple's songs range on their coverage of a wide topic set, including messages about drug and sex addiction, shame, healing, overcoming unbeatable odds, loss, death, suicide, depression and finding one’s true path in life." - Lifoti Magazine
What got you into music?
Music has always been a passion for me (Michael-Jon; lead singer/rhythm guitarist) and every member of this band. I got into music at four-years-old, when I started playing piano. At 12-years-old, I was rated master/master and began to develop interests in playing guitar and singing. Music has been a burning passion in me since I was a tot; it’s a desire that’s grown along with me because it’s an ever-developing and exciting journey, one that’s filled with twists, turns and new curves that make it satiable and addictive.
What is your favorite part about being an artist? Is it songwriting, performing, recording, something else?) Tell us why. I think that being an artist has a multifarious and tenacious appeal. It begins with a melody or an idea that you get in your head or a smooth lick that you bust out on the guitar that just stays with you. From there, a song slowly envelops in your mind and before you know it, you’ve got some new material to play around with. After that, the drive to develop, fine-tune and hone that material kicks in. This leads to the joy of recording—where you get to work with industry experts who help you cement the song/idea that you’ve brought into the recording studio. Once the recording has taken place, you get to experience the rush of performing it on the live stage for your fans. It’s truly an invigorating experience from start to finish.
As a songwriter or musician, are there any obstacles you have had to overcome or obstacles that you are facing right now in your career?
Life is what you make it. I view obstacles merely as another twist, turn, curve or step on my journey. It took Thomas Edison 1,000 tries to make a lightbulb that worked. He didn’t view those previous 999 attempts as failures, but merely as “necessary steps” to the fruition of his invention. Such is the same for any musical journey. We’ve certainly had our fair share of setbacks and obstacles along the way—from a previous bass player struggling with drug addiction to seeing songs and music videos we put countless hours of work into go nowhere. That just makes the reward even sweeter when you do put out something that goes mainstream.
Can you tell us what being in the recording studio is like for you? Being in the recording studio is pure nirvana. We’ve been working with Michael Bolenbach, an industry legend, at Full Well Recording Studio over the past five years and it’s been one hell of a ride. Having a single that’s ready to record in his studio is one of the greatest joys of being a musician. You know that the idea you’ve put so many hours of hard work into is about to blossom and spread its wings. The anxiety of waiting for the final track to be mastered is an indescribable feeling.
Who do you admire most in the music scene today and why?
I’ve been asked this question before and it’s tough to answer. There are so many icons as well as up and coming acts that are truly deserving of their status that it’s impossible to point the finger at any specific act. If I had to choose one, however, I’d say Dave Grohl. A drummer who was previously on top of the world in Nirvana suddenly found himself without a singer and a band in the early 90s. This didn’t stop Grohl, and above all odds, he formed Foo Fighters and became a household name in the years that followed and not for his drumming, but for his songwriting, guitar playing, singing and performance value.
To date, what do you think your best song is? Can you describe the song for us?
Our best song is our forthcoming single, “Heart on Her Sleeve.” This is an epic love song that’s about when I first met my wife, Danielle. It describes our journey together in the early years, the ups and downs of our relationship, and packs an emotional punch that firmly reminds listeners of the human spirit and the values of true love.
Are you working on any new material right now or what's in the works for the upcoming year?
We have a new EP in the works that we’re just getting started on and we’re pretty excited about it. The first single, “Heart on Her Sleeve,” drops the end January. We’re back in the studio all year to cut a few more tracks including the following singles: “Wrapped Around Her Finger” and “Boat Ride.”
Tell us where fans can access your music.
For more information, please visit our website or Reverbnation page. Connect with us on Facebook.
This music interview was brought to you by BWH Music Group.