Darien Brahms Gets Personal
By: Wil Whalen
6.26.2012
I had the opportunity to sit down with Darien Brahms. She’s a singer/songwriter/musician in Portland Maine and has been a part of the local music scene for many years. We met at Rosie’s Bar in the Old Port and shared a beer. When interviewing someone with Brahmss wit and off the cuff humor, I knew I’d better come at it from a different place than your average interview.
How long have you been making music?
There is a picture of me banging on my grandmother's pots and pans which Ii emptied out of her cabinets at age two, so I guess I have been at it more or less for a billion years.
What drives you most as a musician/songwriter?
Other people's music, basic life experiences - like loss and love. The way it feels when I play live after the stage fright goes away. After a really satisfying show I feel like I am in my body and my mind is calm, the same way I feel after good sex.
What's your opinion of the current state of music and the over use of auto tune?
Every once in a while a good, catchy song gets out there and I get hooked on it. However, in general the idea of turning on a pop station is like turning on the state sanctioned radio in a totalitarian state and listening to the drone of a dictator trying to convince you he is great. The same song is being written again and again and force fed to the masses with the hopes that if it is played ad nauseam the people will soon believe that they actually like it. As for auto tune, it’s become an instrument. It’s an effect I don't particularly like the sound of, but its use doesn't bother me. I do wish it would go away soon though as I am ready for a new vocal sound.
What other Portland musicians do you admire? What national musicians do you admire?
We have a world class music scene in this little city. The list of musicians I admire is long and I don't want to leave anyone out so I’ll give you my list of national musicians. I listen to everything, but to name a few: Maria Callas, Gang of Four, Hank Williams, Duke Ellington, Radiohead, Tiny Tim, Cake, Billie Holiday, Ibrahim Ferrer, Alabama Shakes, Bahamas, LCD Soundsystem, PJ Harvey, The Beatles, and the Stones, of course.
What's your favorite venue to play in Portland Maine?
The Big Easy for smaller shows and The State Theater for the big ones. Both venues treat you like royalty no matter how well known you are. I always get my grapes peeled and hand fed to me by rose scented concubines in the dressing room at each venue just like I ask for in my tour rider (laughs).
Who’s your most famous fan.....besides me?
Hmmm, you might be the most famous fan I have, but I have opened shows for many well-known acts though and they said they liked my music. Chris Isaak sat in the front row when I opened for him and then came to my dressing room after my set to chat. Warren Zevon, screamed “Nice job!” after I played. He was wrapped in a towel and dripping wet from a shower. Joe Strummer of The Clash, signed my tights when I was sixteen which was kind of cool, but a little pervy in hindsight. My mom threw them out and I will never forgive her. I didn't play with The Clash, but I thought I would slip that in.
You just got your first national tour. You can choose any musicians on the planet to play in your band. Who are they?
The band I play with now: Adam Bean, Jerome Shuman, Chicky Stoltz, Jack Vreeland, Carty Thompson, Lucas Desmond, Brian Graham and Dave Noyes. They make me feel like I am in good hands musically. If they weren't available, I would take Booker T & The Mgs, Nirvana and the Ikettes on backing vocals.
Any thoughts on the current political climate as it applies to the LGBT community?
I think that history has shown that any time an issue becomes polarized in the U.S. it only brings about more awareness to the masses. It is a variation on the "any press is good press" idea. These ultra conservative lunatics are going to be exposed as repressed crack pots, all of us are going to have the to right to marry and all will hopefully have real civil rights in the very near future. I am thinking the anti-gay movement is going to look absolutely ridiculous in retrospect. On a personal note, I married to my lovely wife in Massachusetts because it is legal there and not in Maine. Maybe if Mass and Maine didn't separate back in 1820 things would be a bit different.
What makes you laugh?
The absurdity of human beings...there is endless fodder for jokes every time any human does anything.
You have to pick either or from the following. No explanation needed.
Beyoncé or Mariah? Maryoncé
Madonna or Cher? Varies from day to day but today it is Madonna
Naomi or Wynonna? Ashley
Justin Timberlake or Justin Beiber? Duh...
Mickey or Minnie? I would bait a trap.
Wonder Woman or Catwoman? Catwoman
Vampires or Zombies? Vampires are sexier no matter how they are portrayed.
Boys or girls? Yes.
Dogs or Cats? Cats
Flying Monkeys or Umpa Lumpas? Flying Monkeys
