Behind the Music: An Exclusive Interview with Bryan Phillips of Alive in Stone

I had the privilege of conducting a Q&A session with Bryan Phillips from Alive in Stone, where we discussed his music career, explored more about his band Alive in Stone, and delved into his hobbies and other interests. I hope you enjoy reading this.

AA: We would love for you to share your background with us more. Please tell us about your origins—where you were born and raised, the environment you grew up in, and how your family traditions and cultural heritage have shaped your identity. Additionally, we’re interested in any significant life experiences that have profoundly impacted you. How have these moments influenced your values, beliefs, and who you are today?

BP: Bryan and Matt are originally from Florida, Herman is from Alabama and Doug is from New York. I think we all equally share the love of music but we also

have a common disdain for the "normal" or "comfortable" life where you wake up, go to work, come home repeat. We reach for the opportunity to life live the

way we choose and music is that pursuit.

AA: Your musical journey is captivating, and I’m eager to learn more about it. Could you share with me how you first ventured into the world of music? What sparked your initial interest, and were any specific moments or experiences significantly shaping your path? I’m particularly curious about the early influences in your life—whether they were family members, iconic musicians, or particular events—that inspired you to pursue music as an art form.

BP:  We all grew up in very musical families and started playing at pretty young ages. For me I had an older brother that was a big influence my father was a guitar player, so I took it up at a young age but didn't want to be a singer till much later in life.

AA: Additionally, I’m curious about the challenges you faced along the way. Were there obstacles that tested your dedication or would-be setbacks that made you reconsider your path? How did you navigate these challenges, and what strategies or steps did you take to transform your love for music into a successful and fulfilling journey?

BP: I'd say the obscurity of being a band is the hardest obstacle I personally struggled and still struggle with my voice it's something that never ends but you have to keep going.

AA: Is there an artist whose music and life story have significantly impacted your decision to follow your passion for music? Their struggles, successes, or unique perspectives inspired you to take the bold step of forming your band. I would love to hear how their experiences and artistry influenced your musical journey. What specific aspects of their story resonated with you, and in what ways have they shaped your approach to music? Your journey sounds fascinating—please share your insights!

BP: For me personally Chester Bennington was my biggest influence but Mike Protich from Red Sun Rising/The Violent was a huge one for me, my brother is a harsh critic and always listens to our demos so he's a big one.

AA: I would love to learn more about your band, Alive in Stone. Could you share an in-depth overview of your group's journey, focusing on the pivotal moments or experiences that brought you together as a collective? I'm particularly interested in the key events or milestones that shaped the formation of the band and the connections you developed along the way.

BP: I would say playing the House of Blues for the first time brought us together a ton, it was our first big show and it's something we shared with each other.

AA: Additionally, I'm curious about the story behind your band name, Alive in Stone. What inspired you to choose this name, and what significance does it hold for each of you? Is there a personal narrative or specific symbolism tied to “Alive in Stone” that influenced your decision? Understanding how this name reflects your music and identity as a band would be fascinating.

BP: It's just the combinations of Alive + In + Stone. Lol just words I like, nothing really significant there. Just sounded cool. But then it subconsciously seemed to have to do with being dead and alive at the same time. Much of what it feels like to get through the ups and downs of music.

AA: How many members comprise the band, and what distinct roles does each play? It would be enlightening to understand how each member's unique contributions and talents enhance Alive in Stone's overall sound and identity.

BP: Bryan is our vocalist, Matt our guitarist, Doug is the bassist and Herman plays drums. Bryan serves as the primary songwriter; Herman gives the songs alot of groove and experimentation in the vibe. Matt is a solo genius, and Doug brings alot of Tool, Deep Purple very janky kind of bass riffs. The whole band serves a big purpose in the identity. We just make what we want to hear.

AA: Lastly, how would you characterize your music? What influences or themes do you explore in your work, and how do those elements combine to create your distinct sound?

BP:  Its very grimey and intense but beautiful at the same time.

AA: What is it like to experience the thrill and excitement of being a singer and the frontman of a band? What emotions and challenges come with taking center stage, and how does it feel to connect with an audience through music?

BP: It's all over the place, performing live is actually quite scary for me a lot of the time "fear" is just a normal part of me performing but it's also the thing that is my biggest ally. It's what makes me practice endlessly, dig deep and just do it. After the first couple of notes it's all good from there. The "fear" makes it fun

AA: What sources do you draw from when seeking inspiration for the lyrics in your songs? Are particular experiences, emotions, or events shaping your creative process?

BP: Anything and everything

AA: Could you delve deeper into your recently released single, "Kailfornia," which came out three weeks ago? I’m genuinely fascinated by the inspiration behind this track and the interwoven narrative. I would love to hear about your connection to this song; what specific emotions or life experiences played a pivotal role in its creation? Please share the story that shaped "Kailfornia," and any details highlighting its significance to you.

BP:  It's a song about the darkside of fame, and the glamour lifestyle of people that are famous, very much like Bat Country is about Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Very satirical.

AA: I'm particularly interested in exploring the behind-the-scenes elements of the production process in greater depth. Could you share the specific vocal techniques and harmonies you integrate to enrich the auditory experience of each track?

BP: There's not a ton of layers under the vocals it's pretty standard production but it depends on the situation mostly triples on the vocal and if harmonies there is a double

AA: Additionally, I'm curious about the tools and gear you rely on in your studio. What specific microphones, synthesizers, or software do you incorporate to achieve the distinct textures and atmospheric qualities that define your music? I would love to hear about your production methods, whether analog equipment, digital manipulation, or unique recording techniques contribute to your signature sound.

BP: Outside of common instruments samples and electric instruments are a big part. Our signature sound is probably our singers gritty distorted cleans.

AA: Can you recall the details of your very first live performance? Describe the setting, the crowd’s energy, and the anticipation leading up to that moment. What were your thoughts and feelings as you stepped onto the stage, and how did it impact you both during the performance and afterward?

BP: Yeah, it was at Shovelhead Lounge all our friends and family were there I felt pretty confident, and the show was great. Still pretty nervous though.

AA: Please tell me about any upcoming projects, tours, or collaborations you look forward to. I'm eager to hear what you're most excited about and any details you can share about these initiatives!

BP: New music all this year plus much more live stuff.

AA: If you were presented with the incredible opportunity to open for any band or embark on a world tour, which bands would you choose to join on this exciting journey, and what specific reasons drive your passion for touring alongside them? Consider the musical styles, the energy of their performances, and how their artistry resonates with you. What unique experiences would come from collaborating and sharing the stage with these artists?

BP: I'd probably say Rammstein I'd love to know what goes into a production that big and would love to see what I could learn from those guys.

AA: How do you define success in your life? What achievements or milestones would signify that you’ve reached your goals? Consider the aspects that matter most—career advancement, building meaningful relationships, achieving financial stability, or personal growth. Visualize the feelings accompanying those achievements and their impact on your overall happiness and fulfillment. What is the ideal picture of success in your professional and personal worlds?

BP: I think success is when you lay on your deathbed and ask yourself did you try as hard as you could to live the life you wanted? If the answer is yes thank your successful.

AA:  How do you define happiness in your own life?

BP:  Spending everyday trying to achieve your dreams no matter how much it hurts.

AA: What are your favorite ways to spend your free time? I'd love to hear about the activities that bring you joy and spark your passion!

BP: Love to surf and I love fashion and shopping to create new outfits.

AA: Share three individuals who have significantly influenced your life, positively or negatively, and explain why.

BP:  My parents because of work ethic but also because they don't think I'm going to make it. My football coach in high school for believing in me. My brother who believes I can reach my potential

AA: When it comes to movies, what are some of your all-time favorites? What is it about these particular movies that resonate with you? Is it the storytelling, the characters, the cinematography, or something else?

BP: Saving Private Ryan, Friday and From Dusk Till Dawn my all-time favs.

AA: Regarding books, which ones are at the top of your list? What makes these books stand out to you? Is it the writing style, the themes, or the emotions they evoke?

BP: The Gunslinger by Stephen King.

AA: As for TV shows, which ones do you find yourself eagerly tuning in to? What about these shows captivates you—could it be the plot twists, character development, or the overall production quality?

BP: I think Game OF Thrones Is The best TV show ever.

AA: I'm interested in learning about your favorite bands or music artists that you're passionate about. Additionally, I'd love to hear all the details about your most memorable concert experience - the atmosphere, the performance, the venue, and anything else that made it special for you.

BP: I listen to mostly new stuff some bands I'm into right now are South Arcade, Hadee and I love old school New Wave like bananrama and johnny hates jazz

AA: 1.  Can you explore your journey with mental health and discuss how these experiences have impacted and molded different facets of your life? Can you share valuable advice for musicians on effectively managing rejection and setbacks throughout their careers?

BP:  I've struggle with insecurity and self-worth most of my life. It helps me be a better creator because thats what people want. Every rejection hurts and I'm glad it does because the energy can be turned into energy. My motto is if it hurts, you're doing it right.

AA: What trends do you believe will shape the future of the music industry, and how are you preparing for them?

BP: I think AI is going to force more people to attend live shows.

AA: What do you think about the impact of social media and platforms like TikTok on finding and promoting fresh new music? It's fascinating how these platforms are transforming the music discovery landscape!

BP: I think it eliminates alot of the gatekeeping and helps musicians tremendously.

AA: How do you perceive the growing wave of independent artists and the rise of the DIY (do-it-yourself) approach transforming the music landscape? With tools like social media and streaming platforms, these artists can now reach audiences directly, bypassing traditional gatekeepers. What specific changes do you see in how music is produced, distributed, and consumed due to this movement? How are these shifts influencing the diversity of music we hear today and how fans engage with their favorite artists?

BP: I think it's the best thing to every happen to music you can be any age, any genre and have a chance at having a great audience.

AA: What message would you share with everyone if you had the world's attention for five minutes?

BP: Every one of you has something special and you have what it takes to live the life you want, it's better to die trying to achieve the impossible than never try.

AA: We appreciate Bryan Phillips of Alive in Stone for kindly sharing him story and interests with us.

Below is the Linktree where you can access information about Alive in Stone and follow his updates:

https://linktr.ee/aliveinstoneband?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAae_XZagLgJM50jNbZ4h_FOdiy0ePXP6ROpaQf-qz-eSdw24hQXkvRuJvz0NxQ_aem_pH9acKSJN8Ocd5QjGHARvQ

*** Images & video by Alive in Stone, unless specified otherwise.