I recently had the opportunity to executive interview Carter Brady to learn five random facts about himself and the story behind his song "Chasing Vampires". Check out my interview with Carter below.
Loryn: What other projects do you have in store for 2022?
Carter: So this past fall, when I started grad school in Nashville, I somehow found time to record 12-15 new songs for another record to follow Blue Reverb. I already have an album name and cover art for it, and I've said what it is in a couple of recent interviews, but for the sake of suspense, I'll just wait to advertise it until I get closer to being ready to release it!
Loryn: What is the story behind your song "Chasing Vampires"?
Carter: You probably will laugh and not take me seriously, but believe it or not, this song, mostly the lyrics, came about after I had watched an episode of Star Wars. I am a huge Star Wars fan, and it takes a story from Star Wars based on two lovers who can't be together because of how things are, but someone helps them settle their past differences and mends their relationship. For this unplugged version I just released, I wanted to do a more officially recorded acoustic version of Chasing Vampires ever since I had recorded most of my latest album 'Blue Reverb.' I wasn't sure if I wanted to release it as a bonus track with the rest of the album or if I wanted to release it separately at a later date. I eventually decided to make it a single and release it alongside a music video. I think that having multiple versions of a song, particularly this one since it was one of the first songs from the album I shared with people, is a cool concept and gives people a chance to hear something in a more fragile and stripped-down state, often giving them more ways to like a song.
Loryn: Who is a musician you'd like to work with in the future?
Carter: It has been my dream to record a song with Dave Grohl for a long time, and whether it ever happens or not, I will try my best to get in touch with him somehow and ask if he'd play drums on one of my songs. That would be a huge milestone for me and would make me extremely happy, and it would be a lifelong achievement and story I'd forever cherish.
Loryn: What lesson has the entertainment industry taught you so far?
Carter: I would say that I've absorbed a lot of useful knowledge and quality advice about the entertainment industry that has really helped me shape a healthy perspective and outlook on how to approach certain aspects and obstacles many artists face. As I've told people before, I am currently pursuing a job in digital media marketing, however, will always keep what I do with music more than a serious hobby. Whether I get a million streams or just 500 streams on Spotify, at the end of the day, it will always be there for people to hear it and is almost like a resume for the artist, just like music videos, press articles, and other stuff that I have done in recent years. Like most every other industry, a lot of the industry is about connections and knowing the right people, along with putting in the time and effort so you can put yourself in a position to be successful. It is also helpful to set goals to continue pushing yourself to strive for bigger and better things.
Loryn: What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
Carter: Other than some friends and family, most people do not know that I have perfect pitch, the ability to identify notes, chords, intervals, and the key of a song without any reference pitch. My first guitar teacher discovered this when I was in 6th or 7th grade. I can't remember if I had known and brought it up to him or just started naming notes without his help, but one day after a lesson, he tested me in front of my Mom and said I had it. I've gotten tested many times after that and have practiced on myself, and while it's not the perfect pitch that very few have where if someone were to slam down a keyboard and could name every single note, I still can do mostly everything that would classify it as being "perfect." I definitely am thankful to have it, and it can certainly help me when writing songs, listening back to my own and other people's music, learning new songs, and learning stuff in a short period of time. It also makes jamming easier, as I don't need to know what someone is playing to know what the key is and improvise in that key or a combination of scales that use the "right" notes for that progression. I did make one video during quarantine where my sister tested me. I posted it to my YouTube and social media. Still, I usually don't mention it unless it somehow comes up in conversation or it's relevant when playing music with other people. That way, I don't come off as arrogant or showy.
Be sure to stay updated with Carter Brady by checking out his website: https://www.carterbradymusic.com/. Also be sure to follow him on his social media platforms:
IG: carterbradymusic
FB: @carterbradymusic
TW: @carterbmusic
YT: Carter Brady
TikTok: carterbradymusic