Born out of a desire to bring highly relatable, melodic hardcore back to where it started, Second Wind has had a "take no prisoners" approach to music since the beginning.

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

Brad: I was in a number of bands before Second Wind. A couple of them include Construct The Indefinite, Afterimage, The Obelisk, The Aperture Schematic, Gateways, and To Every Cynic. We've been a band for a little over two years now; I started the band back in March 2018.

Dane: I was in a couple bands prior to Second Wind. Imminent Downfall was my first serious band and we were together for around 4 years. We played the local scene a lot and did some mini tours to surrounding states. After that I was in Gateways very briefly and in In the Face of Adversity for a while. Got to record some songs with ITFOA but it didn't last. Second Wind is the most serious I've got to be with music in a while.      

Austin: I first started playing guitar in church 8 years ago when I was 15 and I still play whenever they call. When I got my first job at an auto parts store, me and the boss bonded over guitar. We ended making a classic cover band for anything from old school Cream and Clapton to ACDC and G&R. We played a couple shows, but once I left the parts store I was kicked out of the band. Haha shocker!!

Me and Jordan made a band with some buddies when i started listening to heavier music and we had some good ideas but we ended up not being able to make things work. I'm thankful that he hit me back up to join Second Wind though! So far everything is moving along faster than i could ever imagine!

Jordan: like Austin said, we were in a band previously that just didn’t work out. I played drums for that band and it was the first one I was in. I found Second Wind right around the time things started folding with my first band. I think of it as a blessing in disguise because Second Wind is very cohesive and goal-oriented.

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

Brad: I decided on the name Second Wind because when I made the band, I was at a place in life where I needed to stop and take a look around. I have been a musician for years and it's always been my biggest passion in life. I was at a crossroads where I wanted my next band to really be defined by rebirth and giving it your all no matter what, hence Second Wind.

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?

Brad: We definitely take a collaborative approach in songwriting. A lot of our lyrics pertain to personal values and fighting back against the evils and pitfalls in this world. We have a line that goes: "It's easy to curse the night/When black clouds have ruined your day/Bring light into this world/Bring light into this world".

To me that really sums up the EP. Basically, when you're facing something difficult in life, it's easy to blame everything around you instead of taking responsibility for what you can control. As a band we want to lead by example and demonstrate that we're about being better than the issues that plague us.

Dane: Yeah, and to add to Brad. We want to bring positivity and community to the scene and those around us. Connection makes us stronger, knowing we are not alone makes us stronger, that we have battled similar demons and made it out alive. My hope is to help people they way music and lyrics have helped me.

Austin: Not much to add! Brad and Dane pretty much covered everything! Everyone helps out with songwriting and though we want to stick to our roots and style who knows what the future holds for our sound!

Jordan: I agree with everything previously mentioned. I am excited, though, to see how our songwriting and creative workflow develops over time. I anticipate that specific topics will change but the overall, uplifting theme will most likely remain.

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

Brad: I've been listening to a lot of COUNTERPARTS, All That Remains, new As I Lay Dying, ALAZKA, and The Ghost Inside lately. I am also a huge fan of ambient and solo piano, like Philip Wesley, Ryan Farish, and Steven Cravis. I am all over the map haha. I draw influence from a lot of different things.

Dane: Musically, yeah, all over the place. The Ghost Inside's new album has been driving me a lot lately. Inspiring me and lifting me up seeing them come back after everything they have been through. I have also been really vibing to Big Gigantic's newest album to relax and hangout and Max Richter also gets me in the right head spaces for writing.                
 
Austin: Polaris (thanks to jordan for introducing me to them) because their breakdowns are sick along with their riff style. Wage War has some great vocal patterns and the guitar riffs are addicting. Novelists because literally everything about the band is killer in my opinion. The vocals are insane and unique. The drums and bass are catchy, the guitar most of all is insane. I strive to play like that someday!

Jordan: I would say, as a whole, bands like Gideon, Counterparts, and The Ghost Inside influence our sound. Personally, I’ve been influenced by Of Mice & Men, Phinehas, Polaris, Gideon, Lamb of God, etc. Each band member’s personal tastes add up to a cool, unique sound in our music.

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

Brad: For me, it was probably As I Lay Dying, P.O.D., and Iron Maiden. Those three bands have had probably a bigger influence on me as a musician and creative individual than any other artists. They are all so good at what they do and each of them were seminal artists in their respective genres!

Dane: When I started Imminent Downfall In Flames was my big driving force to start a band. They are still a big influence today. Show wise I was lucky enough to see a lot of bands growing up which probably all had some part. My first Lamb of God show though made me dream of putting on even half as good a show back than.        

Jordan:  Of Mice & Men at the House of Blues in Chicago! I never imagined myself picking up a bass until I saw Aaron Pauley ripping some fat bass lines while doing lead vocals.

Austin: Linkin park was the first heavy rock band that i was ever introduced to and will always be in my top 5 list. They inspired me to pick up the guitar and learn, when I saw A7X, Asking Alexandria, and Korn in concert for the first time it inspired me to want to start a band and dream big.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc.

Brad: Haha I do a couple drumstick warm ups to get myself ready. Nothing too crazy as I've found if I do TOO much warming up, it actually makes me more nervous. I like to feel relaxed and excited for any show, but not too stressed.

Dane: Vocals are something I have yet to do live at a show. This is my first time as a vocalist. When I played guitar I used to do warm up scales before our set but nothing crazy. Most of my prep was talking to the people around me and getting great energy from people to keep me pumped. I will continue that I am sure and most likely implement my current vocal warm ups.
 
Austin: I do stretches as well as play parts from different songs I know that are moderately hard for me to do, normally they involve scales, tapping, speed/alternate picking, legato technique, and squeals. Lots of squeals! One of my favorite songs to warm up with right now is "Libra" by Intervals and "Cemetery Gates" by Pantera. I've learned some warm up techniques from Rick Graham's channel on youtube as well even though most of what he does i cannot do just yet haha!..

Jordan: I usually do a lot of forearm stretches and simple scales to get the blood flowing.

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

Brad: Wow, that's a great question! For me, I think getting our merch store launched and selling almost all of our first hat run was a huge, huge success. I am super grateful for all of our fans and supporters!

Dane: For me it is definitely stepping into the vocal role and giving it my all and finishing the whole EP. Hearing people's feedback and getting support from all over to improve myself and our music. It's a new experience that I can't wait to continue.
 
Austin: Honestly I'm really happy we are selling a lot of merch before the EP was even dropped. I'm thankful for all of our fans, friends, and family for helping us out ! I'm also excited about our first show coming up that has been sadly re-scheduled multiple times due to Covid-19.

Jordan: The two singles from our upcoming EP seemed to do well. The merch store is also proving to be successful!

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

Brad: I always love this question! For sure P.O.D. would be on the list, I love those dudes. I'm also a big fan of Gideon, COUNTERPARTS, The Ghost Inside, Stick to Your Guns, and Wage War. Any of those bands would be awesome to hang out and tour with!

Dane: As mentioned The Ghost Inside and In Flames for sure. I'd throw in Gideon, August Burns, and Chunk No Captain Chunk as well. All of them bring amazing energy and presence to everything they do. I would love to join in on it.                                    

Austin: There are soooo many bands that I'd absolutely love to get the chance to tour with, but All That Remains, Wage War, Polaris, or Novelists for sure would be amazing and an honor. I've gotten the chance to meet and hang out with the guys from ATR and WW and they are truly awesome down to earth people. When they are not on stage rocking out they are just like you and me, just everyday people. They are easy to talk to  and I appreciate them for never taking advantage of fame. I really look up to people like that.  

Jordan: I would love to play a show with Gideon. They know how to get the crowd moving! Any of the bands I mentioned before would be fun to share a stage with. A past band would be Mudvayne. Their shows looked crazy!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Brad: Thank you for the interview! We really appreciate it. Our debut EP Vital drops on Friday, 6/19/20. https://officialsecondwind.bandcamp.com/