Having known Chris Mullen since his early days with the post hardcore group, Against All Odds, it's been our pleasure to see him continue his journey in the music industry. Recently, we had the opportunity to ask him about his story.
SPCS Records: What got you interested in music?
CM: Friends, honestly. I mean, I was always interested in music to a
degree, but never really got encouraged that way as a kid, and I kind of
felt like I wouldn't be any good at it. But, in middle school and high
school, I had a lot of friends that we really into punk rock, and I just
got hooked on the energy and feeling and expression that came out of
music. My friends were also the ones who first pushed me to begin
singing, which led to everything else.
SPCS Records: Which artists have most influenced the direction you've chosen with music?
CM: My music influences are based more on content, than on music
genre or style alone. I feel a connection to a well written lyric that
comes from a place of truth. So, in that way, I continue to be
influenced by old punk rock albums that I used to listen to, like Blindside and Dogwood. And I am also influenced by new songwriters like
Rocky Votolato, Ben Howard, and David Ramirez. I even really dig good
hip hop lryicists like Mike Shinoda, and Eminem. They all influence me
in different ways, but they are all there.
SPCS Records: What advice would you offer a musician that is just getting started?
CM: I feel unqualified to answer this question because I still feel
like I am starting out—even though I've been at it for a while. I
guess just to take time away from music to live life. Don't forget where
you come from, but, even more importantly, don't stop being a person
with real relationships and real experiences and friends that you relate
to apart from your art. Too many artists have created this alternate
reality of music and performance-centered exsistence, and they lose a
relatable, neccesary part of who they are...in my opinion.
SPCS Records: What type of venue is your favorite to play?
CM: One with people in it, hah! But seriously, if there is no crowd
to give that energy back to you, you eventually run out of energy. I
love my music, but even I don't want to just play a three hour set to
myself. More specifically, I like small venues, but real venues. I have
played a lot of restaurants and bars, and, when the venue is food and drink
first, music second, you have to fight for a place in the audience's
attention. A small venue that is music first, bar and food second, is my
favorite type... to play or to listen at.
SPCS Records: Thank you for your time today, Chris.
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