RILEY BRECKENRIDGE, 35 (Irvine, CA)

MUSICIAN (Thrice)

YEARS IN MUSIC: 17

ON THE WEB: thrice.net // hermitology.com // 
 twitter.com/rileybreck

CURRENT PROJECT: Thrice

ROLES: Drummer, songwriter

WHAT FIRST GOT YOU INTERESTED IN MUSIC? I grudgingly played trumpet from 4th to 6th grade at the urging of my parents (I was far more interested in sports at the time), quit before junior high, and didn’t even think of playing an instrument again until my senior year of high school. In the summer going into my senior year, I blew out my knee playing football and was faced with at least nine months of rehab and physical therapy. Since sports was my passion, I needed to find something to fill that void. I’d always been fascinated by drums and rhythm, and ended up buying a disheveled drum kit out of The Recycler (think of Craigslist in print form) for $50 so I could spend the year annoying my folks and neighbors by teaching myself how to play.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE MOMENT YOU FIGURED OUT WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE? I don’t think I ever really “figured it out.” When Thrice started in ’98, I was in limbo, had a college degree in English (which actually might be worth less in the corporate world than the paper it’s printed on), was working 40+ hours a week in the pro shop of a golf course, and was living in a house with one of my best friends and my ex-girlfriend’s brother. I was confused to say the least, just kind of existing rather than focusing on a goal. Writing and playing music was a great release from that confusion, and was something I was really passionate about. As Thrice began to slowly develop a local fan base, I had pipe dreams of it becoming something I could do for a living, but my self-deprecating mind kept reminding me that it was highly unlikely. In 2000, when we signed with SubCity Records, and we committed to touring full-time, we collectively decided to drop everything at home and focus on doing everything we could to make that pipe dream a reality.

WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS WHEN YOU STARTED? Thrice formed in ’98. I was 23 years old, and our goals were very short-term: have fun playing and writing music, play shows wherever and whenever we could, and maybe one day we’d get to play in an actual venue, rather than someone’s living room, garage, or a youth center. It’s always been about focusing day-to-day, and taking small steps forward, rather than setting our sights on some grandiose dream scenario of playing arenas, flying in private jets, and being on the covers of magazines.

HAVE YOU ACHIEVED THOSE GOALS? We’ve done much more than I ever dreamed possible. The fact that we’ve been a band for 12 years and that I can still pay my rent by playing an instrument, writing music, and doing something creative is something I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to do. I’m eternally grateful.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS NOW? My goal is to continue working day-to-day to get better at what I do, push myself creatively, never stop learning and growing as a musician, and do everything I can to increase the longevity of something I’ve given everything to for more a third of my life.

WERE YOU ALWAYS ON THE PATH THAT YOU’RE ON NOW? Thankfully, I’ve been in one band, with the same members, for my entire time in the industry. 


WHAT HAVE YOU HAD TO SACRIFICE ALONG THE WAY? Lots. There’s been financial sacrifice, missing out on time with loved ones, missing out on holidays with family, missing friend’s weddings, not having a life timeline that is considered “normal” or “acceptable” by a majority of the population, and more that I’m forgetting (probably on purpose), but I honestly wouldn’t change a thing. I am fortunate to be where I’m at, and I don’t take that for granted.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU ON A DAILY BASIS? That there is no end to creative growth, no formula for a perfect song, no show that can’t have been better. There’s no “answer” to music. It’s not a math problem. It’s like π. It’s infinitesimal. The inspiration comes from savoring the journey and being open to learning every day.

HOW MUCH OF YOUR SUCCESS HAS COME FROM LUCK? TALENT? HARD WORK? That’s impossible to quantify. I’m sure a fair amount of it came from luck; being in the right place at the right time, chance encounters with people who facilitated growth, saying “yes” or “no” to certain opportunities based on a gut feeling, having a fanbase that has grown with us (for the most part), dropping everything to pursue something with a high failure rate. I think luck has to be involved somehow, but the key is that you’ll have more opportunities to be lucky the harder you work. I’d like to think that talent has played an integral role, but there are plenty of examples of “success” that would prove the contrary.

HOW HAVE YOU MEASURED YOUR SUCCESS THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER? It’s definitely not money or fame, because I’m not famous, and this certainly isn’t a lucrative business. We get what we put into it. If we work hard and tour, I’ll have money to pay the rent and bills. When touring is sparse, it gets more difficult. I just feel fortunate that the possibility of making enough money to live reasonably even exists in a business that is (or at least should be) based in creativity and artistry. I suppose respect is a pretty big part of it too. Being appreciated for what you do makes you feel like what you’re doing is worthwhile, which is added incentive (beyond my own personal goals) to continue to grow and learn. And proving people wrong and earning that respect is an inspiration as well. It’s always nice to convert a doubter, even if that doubter is yourself.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS? It means different things to different people. For some, it’s probably money and fame — and if that’s why you started playing an instrument, I feel sorry for you.

ANY REGRETS? No.

DO YOU THINK THE BEST BANDS IN THE WORLD TEND TO GET FAMOUS, OR TEND TO STAY UNDISCOVERED? Fame implies mainstream recognition, and unfortunately, the mainstream has shown that it appreciates style over substance, and “safety” over progress. Great music will always be around for those who are willing to put forth the effort to find it. It might take more work than being spoon-fed something on the radio, but anything worthwhile requires effort.

***

Read Riley’s answers to 50 questions about music and the music business in the EIY HANDBOOK, available in print or eBook version at www.earnityourself.com

Indie Ambassador recently sat down with EIY founder Sarah Saturday to discuss the evolution of the EIY movement, plans for this summer’s Project: Warped Tour, and what it means to hold the EIY philosophy in today’s music industry.

Read the full interview HERE.

MIKE CUBILLOS, 41
 (Hermosa Beach, CA)

PUBLICIST, ENTREPRENEUR

YEARS IN MUSIC: 18

ON THE WEB: earshotmedia.com // 
 facebook.com/earshotmedia // 
 twitter.com/earshotmedia 

CURRENT PROJECT: Earshot Media

ROLE: Owner

WHO FIRST GOT YOU INTERESTED IN MUSIC AS MORE THAN JUST SOMETHING ON THE RADIO? My parents, who were passionate about music, and an older brother and an aunt who were constantly discovering and turning me on to new music outside the mainstream.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE MOMENT YOU FIGURED OUT WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE? I originally wanted to go into journalism, then advertising, then television, but when I was in college in my 20s, it finally occurred to me that my true passion was music. When I discovered I could make a living at it, I stayed on that path.

WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS WHEN YOU FIRST GOT STARTED? As an intern at a label in college, my goal was simply to get hired on when the internship ended and as I was graduating college. There were no guarantees, and a lot of people are vying for these positions. Luckily I did end up getting a job and the rest is history.

HAVE YOU ACHIEVED THOSE GOALS? Absolutely!

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS NOW? HOW HAVE THEY CHANGED? My goals now are just to continue to learn and to expand the business and to hopefully keep working on quality projects!

WERE YOU ALWAYS ON THE PATH THAT YOU’RE ON NOW, IN THE INDUSTRY, OR DID IT TAKE A FEW DIFFERENT PATHS TO FIND WHAT YOU LOVED TO DO? I interned at a few different record companies and bounced around between a few different departments (artist development, video promotion, etc) before figuring out that publicity was my thing.

WHAT HAVE YOU HAD TO SACRIFICE ALONG THE WAY IN ORDER TO DO WHAT YOU LOVE? This is definitely not a 9-5 job. It’s more like 24/7. Over the years, I’ve been able to find a way to balance my personal and professional lives (with kids and a wife, you really need to), but I’m sure I still work (and stress out on work) more than I probably should.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU ON A DAILY BASIS? Great music. My clients. We’re lucky that we get to work with some pretty amazing artists, and they inspire me every day.

HOW MUCH OF YOUR SUCCESS HAS COME FROM LUCK? TALENT? HARD WORKD? I’d say 20% luck, 20% talent and 60% hard work! Ask me tomorrow and those percentages could change.

HOW HAVE YOU MEASURED YOUR SUCCESS THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER? I consider myself successful because I’ve been able to continue to do what I love, independently, for well over a decade now. When I first went out on my own and started Earshot Media after working at various labels, I didn’t really know what I was getting into or how long it would last. The fact that Earshot is still here doing this, stronger than ever, is (I guess) proof that we know what we’re doing. Ha.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS? First off, I have an amazing family. My wife and kids are happy and healthy and they support me 100% in everything I do. That is one way to define success. The other is simply being able to make a living doing what you love. That doesn’t have to mean you are rolling in money and own 20 cars, but that you are able, day in and day out, to make a career doing what you are passionate about. Not many people can say they have that. So if you have it, I’d say you are very successful.

DO YOU HAVE ANY REGRETS SO FAR? No regrets!

DO YOU THINK THE BEST BANDS IN THE WORLD TEND TO GET FAMOUS, OR TEND TO STAY UNDISCOVERED? Many of the greatest musicians aren’t fully appreciated until after their gone. That said, some amazing bands are also hugely successful (think U2, Radiohead, etc). Most of the bands I love sort of exist on the fringe. They’re not exactly household names but they do enjoy at least some sort of cult following.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVORITE (as-of-yet) UNDISCOVERED BANDS? The Darlings – yet another great punk rock band to come out of the South Bay area of Los Angeles. They’re amazing live, and they’re awesome guys!

***

Read Mike’s answers to 50 questions about music and the music business in the EIY HANDBOOK, available in print or eBook version at www.earnityourself.com

Today is the day to get out and support your local independent record store! Go buy music from your favorite artists at your nearest brick and mortar shop and help keep underground music (and the people who promote it) alive and well. Find a participating record store near you at www.recordstoreday.com.

From RSD’s website:

The original idea for Record Store Day was conceived by Chris Brown, and was founded in 2007 by Eric Levin, Michael Kurtz, Carrie Colliton, Amy Dorfman, Don Van Cleave and Brian Poehner as a celebration of the unique culture surrounding over 700 independently owned record stores in the USA, and hundreds of similar stores internationally. 

This is the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and hundreds of artists in the United States and in various countries across the globe make special appearances and performances. Festivities include performances, cook-outs, body painting, meet & greets with artists, parades, djs spinning records and on and on. Metallica officially kicked off Record Store Day at Rasputin Music in San Francisco on April 19, 2008 and Record Store Day is now celebrated the third Saturday every April.