Brighter Shades is the band that no one saw coming. Emerging from the abrupt break-up of their former band, Gatsby Gets the Green Light, the remaining three members refused to lay down their instruments and set out to create truly memorable music. Drawing from pop influences such as The Format and the Beach Boys, Brighter Shades has worked to create their own unique style of powerhouse pop. These guys will take your heart and mind on an emotional rollercoaster, so lay back, grip tight, and remember…the future is brighter!
Members:
Trevor Simpson – Vocals, Guitar Drums
Matthew Galler – Drums, Vocals, Piano
Andrew Cohen – Bass, Trumpet, Vocals
Please state your name and what you do in the band
Andrew – I play bass, trumpet, and sing back-up vocals
How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard you before?
I tend to just avoid the question and say “Go listen to it and see for yourself.”
To a certain extent we’re all over the place musically; there’s a little something for everyone. To me, we sound completely unique, but other people are much quicker to place us into a category and make all the comparisons. I’m fine with that.
For the sake of adding some substance to this answer, some of the comparisons we have heard are The Format, Ben Folds, Death Cab for Cutie, Kings of Leon, and I heard someone say Maroon 5 once.
You’re releasing a full-length album, what can we expect to hear?
Since the three of us first began writing music together, we have made an effort to think outside the box. In writing for this album, which is titled You Shine So Bright, we wanted to create something that was new and fresh in a time when almost all of the pop music you hear sounds pretty stale. I think we were successful in doing so; but don’t get me wrong, this album will have you singing all day long…whether you like it or not.
How has your sound changed since the band began?
Our band began as a four piece several years ago. Our sound changed drastically after parting ways with our singer. Playing as a three piece after having four members for so long took a little bit of getting used to but it was quite possibly the best thing that could have happened to us. We’ve since learned to expand musically, and do things we would have never even thought of otherwise. We actually cover more area now then we did with four people, all of us playing at least two instruments at live shows.
I think it is safe to say that our music has matured a lot since we first began. We have all become much better songwriters and I hope that will be evident on our upcoming album.
Where do you see your music going from here?
It’s hard to say. We’re constantly being influenced, not only by different bands and musicians, but different life experiences as well. I certainly don’t see us constraining ourselves to any certain sound. I guess you’ll just have to wait for the next Brighter Shades album for the answer to that question.
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
When we play it’s almost like running a marathon, in that everyone is working towards the same finish line. In our case it can’t be a race of who gets there first. For us we need to all be running in a straight line and be connected to each other, otherwise we’re just people on stage all scrambling to keep up. We also slaughter and sacrifice a first born calf if we can find one. Usually that’s not the case though.
What’s your favorite thing about being in a band? Least favorite?
My favorite thing about being in this band is the music that we write. It’s a combination of the chemistry that we have with each other and the common vision that we share. We’re writing music that we love; music that if we didn’t write it, it’d still be on our play lists’.
On the inverse, if I had to pick my least favorite thing at this stage about being in a band, it’s trying to describe our music (no offense to your earlier question). To me it’s just a very difficult thing to try and place our music under a certain category.
If you weren’t in a band, what would you be doing?
Probably working at a country club. Servicing old, half-naked rich people.
Anything else you would like to add to your fans and the readers at For The Sound?
To our fans: We know it’s been a long wait for this album to come out. I want to thank you for sticking with us and I know that when you hear You Shine So Bright you’ll be glad you did. This album is for you.
To everyone else reading this: Enjoy!
