Briston Maroney is back with his latest single, Paradise. (Out now via Canvasback Music/Atlantic Records) The Nashville artist has been garnering a following ever since his 2018 EP, Carnival, and has been growing exponentially ever since. Maroney also recently announced “Paradise”, a 2-night festival at Brooklyn Bowl, Nashville in November (11/3 + 11/4). We recently had the opportunity to talk to Briston, check it out!
Be sure to catch Briston on tour (Dates down below)
Rapid-fire Questions :
1. What have you been listening to lately?
Skeggs, Hope Tala, Bats !!!
2. What do I have to do to get you and Jackie Hayes to record a song together? I feel like that would be a great collab.
dude I’ll text her let’s get it cookie I love Jackie
3. Can we expect a Subtle Clutch reunion someday?
this 4th of July at Dollywood
4. Do you think I’d be able to impress Shania Twain?
I don’t know, yes
5. What did you listen to growing up?
Joe Satriani and the Napoleon Dynamite soundtrack
6. How many bugs do you think that you’ve eaten in your life?
1000 of them
7. Opinion on Heelys?
I broke my leg on my 9th birthday riding those
8. Do you think that I could pull off wearing a backwards Kangol hat?
hat
9. Finish the lyrics “you’re so beautiful it struck me like lightning...I love you so much that it’s _________.”
SCARY SCARY SCARY SCARY
10. Any artists that you think we should check out?
Samia , Medium Build, Annie Dirusso, Katy Kirby, Jos, BILLY!, Henry J Star
Isaac Gutierrez for Born Loser Mag: Hey! How’ve you been? Can you introduce yourself for those who may not be too familiar with you?
Briston Maroney: what’s good y’all! my name is Briston!!! I’m doing good and awesome for the most part and there are also times I’m doing so so bad!!
I was reading about your musical journey, and honestly it’s the coolest thing to me. Can you give us a condensed version of your musical journey so far?
hahah thank you dude that’s so sweet!<3 it’s been a pretty crazy amount of change compacted into a few really wild years, it’s really been a blur from when it started to now. Shortest version possible, I started playing music when I was 14 in Knoxville, (farmers markets and biscuit festivals). I moved to Nashville in 2016 and started a really heavy few years that ended with me losing everything I had and going to get some medical/therapeutic help in California. I came back from that trip sober and with nothing, worked odd jobs and played music every chance I got and by the grace of something/someone and now getting to do that every day!!!
I read in a previous interview that your grandpa bought you your first guitar, and taught you how to play Louie Louie. Did you grow up in a pretty musically inclined family?
Grandpa Bud, my hero! my dad’s side of the family absolutely loves music, it’s still our tightest connection to this day!
Do you still play that guitar, or have you retired it?
It has been passed on to my little brother who literally couldn't care less HAHAH. He's a genius, far too busy designing video games and reading Calvin and Hobbes to shred.
How would you describe the DIY music scene in Nashville?
Really different now than it was when I moved here! I love seeing it diversify in every sense of the word, there's truly some really unique bands and people in that scene that are really so great.
What do you think you’d be doing if you hadn’t pursued music?
I think about this a lot because I’m always scared it’s just going to stop. I would definitely do something in nature/with animals. I’d love to be a hiking guide or dog trainer!!!
You released you debut album Sunflower last year! What was the writing/recording process like?
Feels like a lifetime ago now! it was super drawn out and honestly broken into a lot of little pieces, it was a really interesting way to make a record. next time around I really want to try and track everything within a few weeks of each other!
Is there a particular memory that you think you’ll always associate with the album?
The whole time I spent in LA recording is a wild time in my mind. I was alone without a car just walking up and down Sunset kinda stoned listening to Peach Pit and Nap Eyes, it felt like the sun was always setting hahah. I was so fucking anxious the whole time but also was having so much fun, those days are what I think about most when I hear the record.
My personal favorite song of yours is “Why” can you give us some background on that song?
thanks dude<3 that was one of the first I wrote for the record, it was a pretty true-to-life retelling of how I felt when I was 19 right after I’d gotten in some trouble lol. that feeling of really really not understanding why or how things work the way they do and thinking you are fast enough to outrun it, so young and foolish!!!
Congratulations on the release of the deluxe version of Sunflower! Is there a track you’re excited for everyone to listen to?
Dude thank you so much! Gen absolutely crushed that song, she’s so special! I’m really excited to have Bottom of the Ocean out, that one always makes me smile!
I’ve actually been listening to your music for a while now. Back since you were in Subtle Clutch. WHERE CAN I FIND THAT FULL SUBTLE CLUTCH ALBUM??
LOL THANK YOU BUT NOWHERE EVER EXCEPT FOR THE BOTTOM OF A WELL IN THE HILLS OF TENNESSEE WHERE I DUMPED THEM ALL
Do you ever go back and revisit your older music? (Not just Subtle Clutch, just your music in general)
I definitely love knowing the old records are time capsules that can bring back vivid memories, I do from time to time like to think about those old days!
Like I mentioned before, I’ve been keeping up with your music for a while, and you seem to grow exponentially with every release. What do you think has contributed the most to your growth as an artist?
dude I really feel at a loss to explain how more folks have come on board supporting this music, I feel beyond lucky and so fuckin grateful that they have though<3
You mentioned in your 2020 interview with Bringin’ It Backwards that you liked writing songs and performing, but didn’t particularly like to sing until a few years ago. What caused that change?
I think realizing how cathartic singing can be when you do it how you want to do it really made it feel like mine. It sucks to sing when it feels like there are rules, doing it just for me made me really love it<3
What would you say is the most important thing to you when it comes to creating?
I try to get out of reality. Music is meant to take you to that place and that time, it’s not only ok but a really beautiful thing to let yourself travel anywhere in your mind, it helps other people go there in their own!
What does “success” look like to you as far as music goes?
The fact that I’m only playing music for a living is the only way I really measure 'success'! like I said before I’m just so grateful I get to do that, it feels like a dream. I think being able to look back and see that these opportunities I’ve had to help folks were used the right way is really what matters most to me. I want to help people and it really is an easy thing to do even in minor ways.
Is there anything that you want our readers to know? (It can be anything, it doesn’t have to be about music.)
I hope you all know you’re loved!
To wrap things up, do you have any questions for me?
I straight up simply would love to know: do u know what updog is?
Updog was my grandmother's maiden name.
Catch Briston Maroney On Tour
7/18/22 – Bristol, UK – Exchange^
7/20/22 – Manchester, UK – Band On The Wall^
7/21/22 – London, UK – The Garage^
7/23/22 – Suffolk, UK – Latitude Festival 2022
7/24/22 – Brighton, UK – Prince Albert^
7/26/22 – Paris, FR – Le Hasard Ludique^
7/27/22 – Amsterdam, NL – Paradiso^
7/29/22 – Hamburg, DE – Molotow^
7/30/22 – Berlin, DE – Prachtwerk^
8/5/22 – St. Charles, IA – Hinterland Music Festival 2022
8/7/22 – San Francisco, CA – Outside Lands Festival 2022
9/6/22 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre #
9/7/22 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm #
9/8/22 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theatre #
9/9/22 – 9/11/22 Bristol, TN – Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion 2022
9/10/22 – 9/11/22 Chattanooga, TN – Moon River Music Festival 2022
9/12/22 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle #
9/14/22 – Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theater #
9/16/22 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall #
9/17/22 – Pittsburgh, PA – Roxian Theatre #
9/19/22 – Grand Rapids, MI – Elevation at The Intersection #
9/20/22 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre #
9/22/22 – Dover, DE – Firefly Festival
9/23/22 – Morgantown, WV – Metropolitan Theatre #
9/24/22 – Louisville, KY – Headliners Music Hall #
10/2/22 – Dana Point, CA – Ohana Music Festival 2022
11/3/22 – Nashville, TN – Paradise Festival @ Brooklyn Bowl Nashville
11/4/22 – Nashville, TN – Paradise Festival @ Brooklyn Bowl Nashville
^ with Special Guest Francis of Delirium
# with Special Guest Medium Build
Paradise Festival Lineup
Listen to Briston Maroney Here
Keep Up With Briston Here
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