Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Mendoza.
Brian, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started Band Aparte after a realization that I wanted to come back to music after many years of not playing. Growing up I had dabbled in music and a few bands but never anything serious. I had quit playing early in college to focus on academia but picked back up in grad school. I wanted to be serious this time around.
Once I started playing & singing again, thats all I wanted to do. I fell back in love, and I felt it was something I must do — kind of a “now or never” sort of thing. And it’s been about four years of non-stop performing in the DIY tradition.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Nothing is a smooth road, and that’s partially the beauty. For example, we got signed to an indie label, Manifesto Records, for the first LP, Memory on Trial—but near its release, there were problems with the label, and it was decided that we would be the last current (non-reissue) release on that label. In my experience, I’m not sure everything was handled in the same manner as their prior releases. Nevertheless, I learned what it was like to release music professionally (distribution, PR, art, etc.).
Another challenge, my project has had a few lineup changes along the way (it’s hard, people change and sometimes move on). I now have found some great songwriters to work with, Ryan Fairchild and James Glenwright. Its been solid for a few years now and we are finishing what will be the second full-length LP.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Band Aparte story. Tell us more about the business.
Well, we are a band. What we are known for most is our live energetic shows. As a performer I am all over the place, never standing still. It’s just what happens and I’m glad it does. Some people get a little weirded out, and others entertained. As far as music, we are more known for our dark melodic and brooding sounds. I’ve had one person state that our first album was too emotional to listen to.
I took that as a sort of compliment–perhaps it was conjuring up past memories hard to be reminded of. For me, I try to take ordinary experiences (both negative/positive) and dramatize them. To immensely work them into the music, and live performance is the goal that I hope sets us apart.
Who else deserves credit – have you had mentors, supporters, cheerleaders, advocates, clients or teammates that have played a big role in your success or the success of the business? If so –who are they and what role did they plan / how did they help.
Anyone who supports us deserves credit here. From the people that come to out shows to the bands we play with, and the people who allow us to perform at their spaces. They all know who they are. Those who are willing participants in engaging with our art make it possible to have a place in this world.
When someone comes up to me and says I feel your pain after a performance, that is what makes me want to continue to do it. Because at that moment it was a reflection back onto their own self; that creates a thinking place for human emotions.
Contact Info:
- Email: bandapartemusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bandaparte__
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bandapartemusic
- Other: https://bandapartemusic.bandcamp.com
Image Credit:
Personal Pic credit: Manya Kuzemchenko
Live Band Pic credit: Alyson Camus
Band Pic credit: Manya Kuzemchenko
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