Interview: The Brilliance
US-based liturgical duo David Gungor and John Arndt, are The Brilliance. Having just signed with Integrity Music, they have arrived with a bang thanks to their brand new full-length album, 'Brother'. LTTM spoke to them both to find out a little more.
Tell us a little bit about your new album 'Brother' and what the inspiration behind it was?
DAVID: Brother came about as a collection of some songs that we have done on other EPs, as well as some new music that we specifically wrote for this album.
The new songs on the album followed a theme of reconciliation. Much of the album focuses on how we view the “other.”
We recorded it all over the US, and really are excited to share it.
Which is your favorite track on the album and why?
DAVID: My favorite track on the album is “Make us One.” It was written in a very collaborative nature, and is a great expression of who we are musically and ideologically. It is a song that, for us, really takes risk. It also can mean a lot of different things to different people.
JOHN: It's pretty hard to choose just one. I'll go with "Does Your Heart Break?" It's representative of what we try to accomplish with our work. Sure, you could play this on your cell phone speaker while you do the dishes and it will sound nice, but it is meant to be experienced fully. Shut the doors, turn the phone off, sit down and open yourself up to a musical experience!
What inspires you in your music?
DAVID: We often are inspired by melodies, melodies that can be married with a phrase.
Some music that has inspired us includes: Bach, Philip Glass, Sufjan Stevens, The Beatles, Wilderman, David Bazan, Nick Drake, Paul Simon.
Do you prefer playing live or working in the studio?
DAVID: We prefer working in the studio. We are incredibly fortunate to work with our best friends, and have collaborated with so many people we love. The studio is a magical time when we really can let go and just try to make things that inspire us. Performing live is amazing, but we really relish the creative energy of the recording process.
JOHN: I second that. Sure, playing live is a blast. There is something special about the ephemeral nature of it. You only have that one moment with that specific group of people and when it's over, it's over.
That is the fundamental difference with a day spent in the studio. At the end of the day, you have something that exists now that didn't exist when the day began. That day's work represents countless future realities. A new piece of music will work its way into so many people's lives in ways that I can only begin to imagine. In my life there are few experiences as thrilling and gratifying as completing new creative work.
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
DAVID: Ryan Tedder, because I would know we would have a hit…
Really, I love working with John. We have written together for years and there is no ego involved when working together. We both can be totally honest, and it makes for a great working relationship.
JOHN: It's true, we have a good thing going! I'm going to go with Paul Simon. Although I'd probably be too nervous to write anything good in front of him.
DAVID: My favorite album of all time is: In Rainbows by Radiohead.
JOHN: I am really hesitant to say any single work is my favorite of all time. That distinction is constantly changing as I am constantly changing. Music that I loved ten years ago has different meaning to me today.
The record that gets played most often in my house these days is Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles.
The Beatles elevated the album to a supreme artform, like a symphony. Sgt. Pepper goes in so many directions musically but creates a consistent whole that is an experience like no other. The whole is much greater than the sum of its parts.
MP3 culture devalues the album experience in favor of singles. We try to make albums that are complete works within themselves. A standard that I would say the Beatles set.
How would you define success in your career as a band?
DAVID: That we get to make music as we grow old together and are able to support our families doing something we truly enjoy.
JOHN: I just want to do work that I'm proud of with people I love and believe in. We are already doing that! Whatever dream future scenario I can imagine must start with who I am today. Any external sign of success or whatever benchmark you want to make is an illusion! We are already living the dream.
What advice would you give to any aspiring young bands/artists out there?
DAVID: Make music you love, with the people that you love. Keep working on your craft with humility.
JOHN: You have to be willing to work very hard. Anyone that inspires you with their craft has spent countless hours that nobody sees. Also, don't give up! Any work you do grows in value as you continue to pursue it over time. Keep working, keep creating, and FINISH your projects. Nothing you create will ever be perfect, because you are not perfect! Get over that, do your best, and find a way to release it!
You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your mp3 player. What track is it?
DAVID: Island music… Give me Sentimental Bear by Wilderman.
JOHN: I'm gonna go with From The Morning by Nick Drake.
What does the next year hold for The Brilliance?
DAVID: We hope that people enjoy this album. We are looking forward to making another album, and hopefully doing some touring around the world.
Find out more at thebrilliancemusic.com
