The Brilliance’s acoustic-electric, symphonic-pop songs invite you to step outside yourself; to see the world through the eyes of the other, the stranger, and those you may consider your enemy.
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
David Gungor - Lead Vocals, Songwriter
John Arndt - Producer/Arranger, Songwriter
We play with a large cast of frequent collaborators.
Dave Campbell, Cellist
James McCallister, Drums/Programming
Tyler Chester, Bass/Keys
McKenzie Smith, Drums
Jarod Evans, Producer/Engineer
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to The Brilliance? How long has the band been around?
David and I have been playing music together our entire lives. The Brilliance is the result of our lifelong musical friendship.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
Originally, we were 'The Brilliance and the Flyer' with Rob Gungor of Wilderman.. He was the “Flyer”, so once he left the band, we became simply, “The Brilliance”.
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?
David and I typically write the songs together. We’ve always loved writing about big ideas. Death and the meaning of life.
These days we try to find a unifying theme we are inspired by and mine it for all it’s worth.
Our last album, Oh Dreamer, was inspired by and written for the DACA Dreamers.
We are currently writing film music for our friends at Preemptive Love, a humanitarian organization in the Middle East.
Much of our music is inspired by our friends that go to extraordinary lengths to make the world a more peaceful place!
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Any music with heart that has grand orchestral ambitions. Bon Iver, Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, Bjork, and Sufjan Stevens to name a few.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
David was inspired by a solo performance of his brother in law, cellist Joshua Roman, at Carnegie Hall. He thought, what if we made music that invited people into that kind of space.. One of awe, reflection, and wonder.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …
Our shows are a party for us. Basically a family reunion every time we get together.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
The biggest highlight is seeing how our music has connected to people and ideas we really believe in. Our collaboration with Preemptive Love and their peacemaking work in the Middle East has been incredibly humbling and inspiring.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
I’d like to tour with young Mozart and see him perform with my own eyes.. With modern accommodations, hopefully.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you for listening to World Keeps Spinning!