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The Brightwings

The Brightwings
Pictures copyright respected owners

Interview With Dan Holden, singer/guitarist, The Brightwings By Chris 15/11/06

After hearing and receiving their fantastic debut release Stay.
I knew the band has a winner on their hands. Good honest enjoyable songs.
When you hear their stuff you will know what I meant

The Brightwings Website

1. How did you get into music?

It was a combination of my parents and my friends. My dad has a great record collection that I used to love to dig through, and my mom sings and plays guitar.

  2. Who were your idols growing up?

Being from the Boston Area I was really into Aerosmith, but I was obsessed with Huey Lewis and maybe Wayne Gretzky.

  3. Who were your influences?

  Our biggest influences are bands like The Eagles, Tom Petty, Aerosmith, and a few 80's bands that shall remain nameless.

   4. What have responses been like to the ep?

  "Stay" has gotten a good response, but it's kind of hard to gage when you release an album on your own. We just tried to make the best album we could, and hopefully it will open some doors for us.

   5. What inspired you when recording the ep?

  We have always wanted to write an album that is classic sounding and timeless, and I think all the old albums we grew up listening to inspired us the most. People have said the cover of the EP looks like "Hotel California", and I have to say I agree, but it was not intentional.

   6. Has the Internet helped with the bands music?

  The Internet has let a lot of people hear our music that probably would not have heard it otherwise. It's a great way to get music out there.

   7. Do you think tools like MySpace are useful?

  MySpace is great for bands and stalkers for the same reasons.

   8. Who would the band most like to tour with?

  We would love to open for a band like The Fray or The Drive-by-truckers. Our goal is to play in front of as many people as we can, and if they like bands similar to us, it would be even better.

   9. If you could work with any one who would it be?

  I am a huge Johnny Cash fan so I'm out of luck, but next in line would be Tom Petty.

   10. Have you had much press about the ep?

  We were doing a bunch of radio promotion the first couple months, but mostly show promotion lately. 

   11. What inspires the band when writing music?

  I think we all get inspired by everyday life, but mostly by love.

   12. What has been your favorite gig to date?

  We just opened for Nada Surf last week, which was fun, but our old band went to China for a week. It was like a dream...mostly from jet lag.

   13. Has the band had much support from radio?

  We have been trying to push radio, but it is hard to get on the air without a major label deal. Hopefully this album will be heard by the right people that can get us on the radio. That's all you can hope for.

   14. What is on your stereo at the moment?

  The Damnwells "Air Stereo"...buy it...unbelievable.

   15. What are some of your favorite musical artists/bands?

  Tom Petty, The Damnwells, Stephen Kellogg and the sixers, Johnny Cash, Bob Schneider, Radiohead, Dr. Dre...that enough?

   16. Have you had much response from labels?

  We have had some label response here and there. I think our band is still young, and will be heard.

   17 Why cover Please Come To Boston for the album?

  It was just a spur of the moment thing. We were done recording one day and played it while the tape was still rolling. We added the harmonies later, and it came out great.

   18. What has been the career highlight so far?

  We opened for Nine Days back when they had a huge hit. That was the biggest show, but going to China was the highlight.