MakeaStar.com: Welcome to the finals. Did you ever think you would get this far? 

Brian Hindman: No, I did not. I wasn’t even sure the song would make it into a contest, let alone get this far.

MAS: What do you think it is about your song “Blood” that it has gotten into the finals? 

BH: It is such an unusual song, mixing elements of opera, folk rock, surf guitar – at first glance, not the most compatible of sounds.  But I think the elements work well together. I know many songs on the radio these days suffer from underdeveloped “plot”. By plot, I mean the song builds continuously and slowly gives moments of clarity until the climax (lyrically speaking).  Many songs these days just seem to be a bag of adjectives and pretty words that, well, don’t take the listener on a wonderful journey, stimulating the brain and heart (with music to match).  Also, I think “Blood” offers subject matter that, although challenging and large in scope, is bound to catch listeners attention and keep them until the end…

MAS: Have you been getting any e-mail from Fans? The Industry?

BH: This is my first experience with MakeaStar, so I have only turned on a few local fans to the site.  As the word gets out I hope to get more e-mail.  As to industry, I haven’t had a bite yet (keeping my fingers crossed).

MAS: What is the response to your song and your sound in general?

BH: For the most part, I’ve been getting positive responses. Since I don’t have a trained voice, I’m a bit phobic when it comes to other people hearing me sing. But to my delight, even in MakeaStar’s song review, my voice got fairly high marks (much higher than I would give myself).  So, I am pleased.

MAS: What do you think about MakeaStar.com's Industry review service?

BH: Excellent. I have entered a few contests (essentially, paying money for a form-letter review with “check boxes”) that do not offer constructive criticism or tempered praise. They usually praise unduly, bash the song, or just don’t “get it”. The review “Blood” received from MakeaStar was a very balanced review—helpful to the budding artist or even the more advanced.

MAS:  What about the equal voting power being given to Fans and the Industry in the contests?

BH: I think this is a great idea. It “equalizes” the playing field dramatically.  It gives the virtually unknown artist (with small fan base like myself) a way to compete with more well-known or well-networked artist that has an established fan base.

MAS: Was getting into the contest your primary goal or were you more interested in the industry review?

BH: When I submitted the song, I was looking more for the industry review. I’m at heart a songwriter/producer rather than a performer. The American-Idol thing is not really my cup of tea. But, I would recommend that everyone try hard to get in to the competition phase, as it also clues you in to how the industry “likes” your song (as a whole). Thus, MakeaStar gives the artist much more of an indication of how he is progressing as an artist besides just handing out a single person’s review.

MAS: How did you develop your sound? Is there a primary songwriter? Is it collaborative?

BH:  I’ve slowly developed my sound over the last 15+ years.  Yes, I, Brian D. Hindman write pretty much all my own songs. In “Blood”, I basically either performed or “looped” every part. The vocals are mine, the guitars (acoustic, surf, bass, etc) I performed.  The strings and percussion are primarily loops. As to my sound in general, I like to put folk and/or classical instruments in a rock setting (mandolin/banjo/opera singer). I’m highly experimental, but I also pay a lot of attention to the lyrics and try reach a state of poetry with them.

MAS: Any influences you care to mention? What have other people compared you to?

BH: I love any GOOD song. My major influence is my brother, Eric Von Hindman, who blew all his money on really good music. Of the stuff he brought home, I was influenced by some of the major power-pop bands such as E.L.O., Queen, Jellyfish and the Beatles (of course). But, I also love the acoustic sounds of early Cat Stevens, Nick Drake, Jack Johnson. My Christian/Indie music influences are: Daniel Amos, Mark Heard, 77s, Bill Mallonee (V.O.L.), Switchfoot, Waterdeep, etc.

However, I find myself these days more influenced by producers rather than performers or groups.  Here are a few GREAT producers/engineers:  Jack Joseph Puig, Jeff Lynne, and T-Bone Burnett.

MAS: What do you think may set you apart from other Artists in your genre?

BH: One thing that sets my music apart is the willingness and drive to experiment and the ear to know when it works and when it doesn’t. I think most listeners want to hear something new and fresh (not relying on the same old gimmicks and styles). I’m also not afraid to tackle difficult subjects lyrically.

MAS: It’s obvious that your recorded material is great, how about your shows?

BH: It’s difficult to bring a full band with me, so when I go out, it is usually just me and a guitar, me and a banjo, me and a mandolin, etc. 

MAS: Are you playing anywhere anytime soon?
BH:  I’m off for the holidays.

MAS: Have you released your music already? If so how, where and when? If not, do you plan to in the near future?

BH:  I have put out a CD to raise money for some worldwide missions projects. I collaborated with several artists and produced/recorded a 15-song CD. The song, “Blood” was one of the songs. I have also written/produced music for a short-animated film—an adaptation of the children’s story “The Emperor’s New Clothes” (by Nicreations). This includes some of the foley/sound effects in the film (FUN!).

MAS: Where would you like to see your music take you?

BH: I write and record music to express myself as a man, an artist, a husband, a Christian, etc. I don’t think I could stop if I tried (well, at least not for very long). So, if I get “discovered” or not, I think I will be happy. (Of course, it doesn’t hurt to make money at something you love!!!)

MAS: How realistic is that goal in terms of the immediate future?

BH:  With a good showing on MakeaStar.com, I think it can only help.  Maybe if the song does well here, I’ll submit it to Paste music.

MAS: What one band would you like to follow in the footsteps of down the road to success?

BH:  I would like to avoid mentioning any band that involves drug overdosing/suicides/etc. I would love to end up in an old-fogey rock band, something like the Traveling Wilburys or the Lost Dogs with an accomplished musical career but still looking forward to the next project.