Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Bradley David Parsons: Vocals/ Drums
Tyler Parsons: Bass
Chase Mickel: Synth
Brandon Prinzing: Guitar/ Vocals

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Corner Gospel Explosion? How long has the band been around?

We've all played in other bands before. Nothing anyone has heard of. The Band formed in late 2014 after I (Bradley) had compiled a bunch of demos. I wanted a project where I could be the primary songwriter/ lead singer. After demoing out 25 songs, I selected 10 of them and slowly started finding members for the project. Tyler is my younger brother and this was the 2nd or 3rd project we had worked together on. Brandon and I have been songwriting partners/ bandmates in the past, but never got a project off the ground. Chase was a wildcard, who came in after a member left town. He was offering to be our merch guy and we ended up throwing him on keys. 

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

I was walking through downtown Portland around the time I was writing the demos. I saw a banner outside of a church that read "Corner gospel explosion - Wednesday's at 7pm". I took a picture of it and it quickly became a running joke for what my next project would be called. By the time we decided to pick a name, it just stuck.

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 (Brad again) am the primary songwriter. The main themes of my writing usually have to do with whatever is going on in my life. Our new album "Tension" reflects the last two years of my life. Two years ago I went through a divorce. I was 23 and had to make a tough choice: Do I continue to live somewhere where life simply can't be fulfilling or do I take a huge risk and jump out on my own to achieve my dreams? I chose the latter, but the album directly reflects those thoughts. The tension in life, the constant push and pull between safety or leaping into the unknown. I've recently been contemplating my own fear with death, so I think I know where this next album may go. 

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

I'm currently 25, so a lot of the bands that inspire me are from the Post-Hardcore scene from the early-mid 2000's. Bands like MewithoutYou, Emery, Fear Before the March of Flames and Dredg gave me a bunch of tools to create unique and passionate music. Right now I'm really digging Grizzly Bear, Midlake, Foals and Sufjan Stevens.

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

I started my first band when I was 13. Back then I was really into Pop-Punk stuff. Bands like MxPx, Five Iron Frenzy and Coheed and Cambria instilled a desire to give this music thing a shot.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …

I really need to start doing something… Since I play drums and sing live, it can get pretty exhausting. 

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

In 2015 we won "Best band" from our cities local paper. At that point we had only been a band for 8 months. Which was pretty awesome. 

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

A tour with Mutemath would be amazing. I think our styles might compliment each other and they have been a huge inspiration to me.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

AC/DC is way cooler than you think.