Brandon Flippen is an indie musician on a mission to create art that connects with an audience on a deeply personal level. With bands like The Fray, Keane, and OneRepublic alike, he developed a strong passion for piano centric pop/rock and began finding his own voice within that style of play.
Please list all of the instruments you play in your music?
I actually just play piano. I know a couple chords on guitar but piano has always been my passion.
For starters, were you apart of any bands prior to going solo? If so, How long has the band been around?
Yes I’ve been in two bands. The first was Transistor Radio, which was an 80s synth pop band. We actually have a couple music videos still on YouTube which is pretty cool to look back on. Then the other was called The Restless, and that band was actually intended to be who I released my album “The Passionate Mind” with but it just didn’t work out.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
I write all my songs and in terms of themes and topics I think that will definitely change over time. My first album had an overarching them of being a passionate person. I talked about a lot of different things that could fall into situations where emotions may overtake logic. My next album will most likely be specifically about the evolution and dissolution of a relationship.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
That’s a good question actually. I am currently working on reinventing my sound for this next album and it’s gonna be a challenge because nobody I listen to has a sound I envision. So I guess we’ll see.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start making music?
The Fray was my biggest inspiration. Obviously very piano centric like my music has been. I also just loved the substance they had behind their songwriting.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
I haven’t performed in quite a while but I used to drink tea with a melted cough drop and some honey, and then I would listen to some scores from my favorite tv shows and movies.
What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?
I wrote a theatrical performance that used the songs from my album in a story where a man has trouble sleeping. We performed it for two weeks at the Minnesota Fringe Festival. It was also the last big performance I ever did so it was a beautiful send off.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Well just to avoid being redundant I’ll pick Ed Sheeran instead of The Fray. If I ever do start performing again I want to incorporate some live show techniques that allow me to perform solo and Ed Sheeran is a master at that; so I think it’d be cool to have our different styles in one show.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Check out my debut album “The Passionate Mind” on any or all of your favorite streaming services, or you could help support me by purchasing it on iTunes. Please follow me on Twitter, Twitch, Instagram, and Youtube @BFlippenMusic!