The Parade Around

We were just presented the opportunity to interview Brian, aka The Parade Around. This Illinois native is releasing his debut single on November 30th! From what we have heard so far, The Parade Around is definitely something you want in your music library so be on the look out! Check out what we learned during this interview about music, dedicated beard growers, and why he should be your new best friend!

S&Em: Your debut single is coming out November 30! Are you getting excited/anxious?

TPA:  I am feeling so much of both. This is the first real representation of my music, I have no idea what everyone is going to think.

S&Em: Can you tell us about the single a bit?

TPA: This particular song I have been trying to write and rewrite for at least the past year since I have been out of a band. Since it's a "debut" for me, I want it to be perfect. I finally realized that it can't be perfect, I am merely human. With that realization, I had a bit of a writing spark and concluded writing on the track after one year of unsettled feelings about it.


S&Em: We noticed you have over 11, 000 followers on Twitter! That's quite a number. How did that all start to happen?

TPA: I have been extremely adamant about following random people in hopes they will follow me back and be curious as to who I am and what my music will sound like. I guess I won't know if it was a good waste of time or a bad waste of time until my EP comes out!

S&Em: You're living the bearded life. Since it's "No Shave November" do you do the opposite or just let the beard get crazy?

TPA: N.S.N is cool, but if you were really a dedicated beard grower, you would have a beard year round. Just saying, I let the beard reach levels of lumberjack and pirate throughout the year. I feel dumb without a beard. I don't wanna feel dumb!

S&Em: Speaking of beards, are you a fan of hockey? Which team do you root for (when we aren't in a lockout)?

TPA: Go Hawks!

S&Em: Listening to the preview of "Sell Us All for Broke," we noticed you sound a bit like Gavin Rossdale (Bush frontman). How would you identify your sound?

TPA: Wow, that's quite a compliment! I have been telling people it is this mix between The Horrible Crowes/Bon Iver/HalfNoise. It's distant and darker imagery with the lyrics and a spacey delayed sound with the music. Once it is all said and done in the studio, there is no doubt that it could stray from those constraints. However, that is how I would best describe it right now!

S&Em: You recently Netflixed That 70s Show. Which character are you the most like and how are you like them?

TPA: Hyde. 100%. Hyde is insanely laid back and loves a good beer. Also, he has some cool sideburns. I think I am pretty laid back as well and Hyde and I would be good buddies.


S&Em: Where did the name The Parade Around come from?

TPA: I wrote lyrics with "parade around" in it and ended up scratching the song. That line stuck with me and I ended up loving that name for a band. When I decided to do some solo music, I had the name ready to go!

(S&Em note: We think it is an extremely creative name! Really hard to Google though because it kept leading us to our local parade's site! Funny stuff.)

S&Em: You're from Channanon, Illinois. What is there to do out there?

TPA: Not a whole lot. Lots of farms, cows, horses, etc. A lot of times I just have a bonfire with my closest friends and talk, play guitar, have some beers, jump in the pool/hot tub depending on what time of year it is. My friends and I are also huge NCAA Football for PS3 guys. We play that nonstop! It is pretty low key around here, but I am a low key guy so I don't mind a bit.

S&Em: What are you hoping for people to get from your music?

TPA: A connection. I want listeners to have an image or situation or person pop into their mind when listening to my music. Everything about this EP's content is real. Everyone can relate to real situations because they happen to everyone, everywhere.

S&Em: Where are you hoping this single takes you?

TPA: I have no plans to be honest. I am taking it day by day, whatever happens, I'll be okay with. I would love to play a few shows, have some of my friends help me out and play the other instruments. I want to keep this music fun, and an outlet for me. I think the reaction to the EP will decide a lot on its own as far as the future of The Parade Around.
S&Em: Have certain events in particular in your life inspired you to create the songs you create or is it just collective life experience?

TPA: Usually, it's whatever I am feeling that day and thinking about when writing. Past and present people who have been in my life are definitely mentioned and nothing's sugar coated. As I said earlier, it's all real. The content means so much to me. I hope it connects just as much with it's listeners.

 (S&Em note: We love real music, especially when it's not sugarcoated! It's the best kind of music. But we are glad we didn't get on his bad side!)

S&Em: Will there be an EP or a full album after this single?

TPA: I am doing a 3-4 song EP as it stands right now. The single will release November 30 and then I will continue to record the final tracks. I have no release date as of yet, I don't plan on rushing anything. Creativity suffers in time constraints when I write.

S&Em: Describe your personality in 3 words!

TPA: Bearded, decisive, quirky.

S&Em: What else can we expect from you in the future?

TPA: The single on November 30 followed by the EP! Also, a longer beard. That's as much as I have determined so far.


We would like to thank The Parade Around for taking the time to do an interview with us. It was definitely a fun one! Everyone check out The Parade Around:

 On Twitter: @theparadearound

On the website (which will be live the same day the EP is released 11/30): Theparadearound.com