Roll of the Dice is a short interview format with a variable amount of questions. A pair of dice is rolled and the total, between 2 and 12, is the amount of questions we can ask. All questions are given to the interviewee(s) at once, and no follow-ups are allowed. The interview may be lightly edited for content and clarity.
Having just released the stunning new record After The Storm, singer-songwriter Brigette Mena has been turning heads across the music world. Today, TGEFM is pleased to share our Roll of the Dice interview with Brigitte where we discuss influences, moments and the future.
Congrats on the amazing reception of After The Storm. What can you tell us about yourself and your sound for readers just discovering you?
Thank you so much! I am a pop rock artist based in Dallas, TX! My sound has been compared to artists and bands like Paramore and Gwen Stefani, so some songs lean more into the rock genre while others take more of a pop approach. I write the beginnings of most of my songs on acoustic guitar and piano, so I definitely have more of a singer-songwriter background, which is why I love seeing how the songs evolve once I bring them to my band and into the studio.
What album, band, significant singles made you go “Yeah, this is what I want to do”? Not just an influence, but who or what made you want to pursue making music?
I started writing songs when I was about 12 years old and at that time, I was listening to a lot of female fronted pop & rock artists like Michelle Branch, Hilary Duff, & Avril Lavigne. I picked up acoustic guitar around the same time and spent a summer learning everything I could about it since my family couldn't afford lessons. I pretty much knew after that summer that music was something that I didn't want to do just for “fun,” but dedicate my life to as a career.
This is your first record that's not a concept album – even though there are thematic elements that shine throughout the album, it is certainly a more open flow of ideas. Was there something that sparked the change between concept and more free-form? How did the songwriting process change?
With my last two albums, I had a goal in mind of how I wanted them to turn out. When I started writing my latest album, I didn't really have an intention of even writing a whole album. It was more so just a release of feelings I was having at the time with no expectations of how any song might take direction. I typically experience writer's block after putting out an album, and a lot of that is led by my expectations of how I want something to turn out, so once I kind of let that go, I felt more free to write about whatever was going on in my life at that particular time.
We've all got a few, what is your biggest regret? A gig you turned down, advice you didn't take, what one thing do you wish you handled differently as a musician?
As cliche as it sounds, I don't really like to see any phase of my career as something I wish I didn't do. I've explored so many areas of the music scene including starting a cover band, booking and managing bands, and even teaching private lessons in addition to writing my own music. And while sometimes I wish I would've focused more of my time solely on writing music, I've learned a great deal about the music business by dipping my toes in other areas of music.
What have been some of the most memorable moments or experiences as a professional musician so far? What's been the most unexpected? The weirdest?
Honestly, some of the most memorable experiences have been in the studio. I love seeing how a song evolves at each stage, and there is something so rewarding and magical about hearing the final product come together. The most unexpected experience has been having some of my best friends in my band. I've had a few different lineups over the course of this project, but the lineup I have right now is truly special to me. I feel really fortunate to work with the guys in my band – they're super talented and awesome. And for the weirdest moment…I actually found my drummer on Craigslist. I had no idea how it was going to pan out as Craigslist can be hit or miss and a lot of times people who respond to your ads on there can be crazy haha, but I got super lucky this go around. He's a fantastic drummer and all around great guy.
Who are some bands on your radar that our readers may not know about, but you think they should?
Top bands for me right now include Middle Kids (I'm slightly obsessed), Lighthearted, Bendigo Fletcher, and Slow Pulp.
Now that the world has its hands on the album, what's next for Brigitte Mena?
I've got a couple shows lined up including playing at an Eclipse Festival here in Dallas at the University of Texas at Arlington on April 6th. After that, I'll be playing at Double Wide in Dallas on May 10th.
What do you wish I asked about or that you had more of an opportunity to speak about during this interview?
I actually loved your question about memorable, unexpected, and weirdest experiences. I've never been asked that before in an interview, so it was nice to be able to talk about some of those moments. Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with me!
Bad Dad (occasionally called Ed) has been on the periphery of the punk and punk-adjacent scene for over twenty years. While many contributors to this site have musical experience and talent, Ed's musical claim to fame comes from his time in arguably the most punk rock Blockbuster Video district in NJ where he worked alongside members of Blanks 77, Best Hit TV and Brian Fallon. He is more than just an awful father to his 2 daughters, he is also a dreadful husband, a subpar writer, a terrible dresser and has a severe deficiency in all things talent… but hey, at least he's self-aware, amirite?
Check out the pathetic attempts at photography on his insta at https://www.instagram.com/bad_dad_photography/