What are your names?
Brandon, Nimal, and Chrisy
What is your genre of music?
Alternative Indie Rock, Shoegaze, Fuzz pop, Slowcore. Hard to pick one.
How did you come up with the bands name?
I was living in a basement apartment when I was trying to find a name for this new project. I just decided on Basement Revolver, because I was revolving around a basement.
Give us a little bio about you as a band and individuals.
Chrisy (vocals, guitar) grew up in Newmarket but moved to Hamilton when she went to university where she studied psych and art, and also started playing in her first band, which was a folk band. This is when she started to write songs more seriously, and when the other band stopped playing, she started Basement Revolver.
Nimal (bass, synth) came to Hamilton for college where he studied bass, and this is when he also joined the folk band that Chrisy was a part of. He has played bass for theater productions, jazz bands, and now is playing synth in another synth based band. Nimal and Chrisy were old friends, who liked playing music together, so he was the first member of Basement Revolver.
Brandon (drums) moved from Peterborough to Hamilton, also to study drums in college. This is where he met Nimal. He has played for many projects, most notably Ptarmigan and Nick Ferrio and his Feelings. This past year he toured with The Burning Hell. He joined Basement Revolver for our first show, and man are we glad to have him!
Are you a signed?
We are currently signed to fear of missing out (UK) and Yellow K (US).
Your set to release your new single ‘Tree Trunks’ , tell us more about that.
Tree trunks came out of a bit of a writing dry spell for me, and got me back on track. It is a basically a song about the environment and panic attacks, and getting help from mental health care professionals.
What message are you trying to tell your fans?
Usually at shows I try to remind people to respect each other, respect themselves, don’t touch anyone without asking, don’t drink and drive, and make this place safe. I think at live shows it’s important to promote love and respect, to keep venues safe for everyone. Everyone has a right to see and enjoy the music that they love.
‘Tree Trunks’ is off your Upcoming EP ‘Agatha’, what can you tell us about it?
The EP will consist of four songs. I think we are all pretty proud of the sound, so we hope you guys like it too!
Describe each track in two words.
Johnny Pt. 2 – move on
Tree Trunks – get help
Mountains – old memories
Bread and Wine – long winter
Do you have any gigs or festivals coming up?
We are playing Because Beer festival in Hamilton (with Fast Romantics and Said the Whale), and we are planning to get a tour together for August and September!
What made you go in to music?
Music just kind of happened, it kind of came to me?
Do you play any instruments?
I play guitar for this band, but I also play violin, and have dabbled in other stringed instruments!
Who are your influences?
This year, Frankie Cosmos and Mitski, but I’ve always been a fan of Mewithoutyou
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
Mostly I write to process things that have happened, so I guess life gives me inspiration?
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Hopefully on tour and playing a lot, but if that doesn’t happen, I’ll just keep working on music and living life.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
I manage a coffee shop called Relay Coffee Roasters, I also make art and am starting to dabble in graphic design.
If you could collaborate with one UK Artist or band who would it be and why?
For Nimal’s sake I will say Glen Hansard. Not really our style, but Nim is a big big fan!
if you could collaborate with one US artist or band who would it be?
Mewithoutyou! Paramore just did a collaboration with Aaron Weiss so why can’t I!
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
I don’t know if there was ever just one song, it’s always been movements of music that have inspired me. Since shoegaze has gotten more popular again, I feel like it has pushed me more to explore sounds that I enjoy, and it has given me more confidence as a musician.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Be kind.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Be kind and work hard, keep working on developing your craft and perfect it. Don’t let any of the other bullshit get to your head. And don’t listen to the voice in your head telling you that it is all meaningless.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
The two tattoos on my arms at the moment say “a glass can only spill what it contains” and “welcome the stranger”. I feel like both remind me to not assume the worst of people, and to take care of myself so that I can care for people better.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
My guitar, my pedal board, and outfit that makes me feel cool, how to be a person, and to take my shoes off when I am playing.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
We are all over the internet! Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Bandcamp, spotify, soundcloud, Website, Apple Music ,etc.
