Meeting of the Mimes Perspective on Come Back Home

I am Alex O'Brien, and I am a Dairy Food Safety expert that creates guides and offers short courses to promote food safety practices. Music is just a hobby!

My earliest memory has to be listening to Michael W. Smith, and his album "This is your time". Many of the songs are very "90's Christian sound", but the song "This is your time" is not only timeless, but is still inspiring me today. This is your time to Carpe Diem and try to accomplish any goals in life!

This melody has been in my head for over a year now, but I had several theme changes and I’ve had writers block and left the project sit. Then, I had some friends that were dealing with the ups and downs of marriage, struggling to find that passion again. This inspired me to finish one of the themes I had started and I honestly say, I couldn’t have completed this project without them. So this is for them. Many of us find ourselves at times not feeling that “fire” for someone. But passion is not love. True love is a verb, it’s a movement, it’s a revolution. You may not always feel it, but you can choose action. because true love is worth the fight.

I think this is a two part question. I think anyone becomes an artist when they apply what they learn in music, and create their own sounds. I think that separates a "performer" from an artist. I've been making music since I was 12, but I didn't start really pursuing music until January 2023. I have been performing in church worship since I was around 12 as well, with my musical family. My brother played the bass, Mom sang vocals, and my dad played the drums. We were basically a family band! I didn't start performing my music until July 2024, but I've been creating music for most of my life.

I have many different influences, so I consider my music to be "Eclectic Rock". This release in particular is a marriage of light Alternative Rock and Country tones with Acoustic Guitar and electric guitar with slight reverb, distortion with some banjo to add a little bit of a country sound.

I have been releasing music for less than a year, but I would have to say that I love pretty much any genre of music. I have released Cinematic Rock, Punk Rock, Metal, Alternative Rock, Neoclassical, Pop, and I am working on some Funk, Experimental and Folk music.

For the upcoming album I have coming out, it is exploring major events in life. Being reborn, break ups, falling in love, watching your kids grow up, loving your neighbor as yourself, and coping with watching loved ones pass away. It's wrestling with the adventure of life, and how it has ups and downs, but is a beautiful "Odyssey".

I would love to tour with Switchfoot and Relient K. Two of my all time favorite bands that have influenced me spiritually as well as sonically. Having fun making music, performing music and have fun as a band. 

I think every song has given me immense joy. I would say the most rewarding would be the song "Remember Me". For over 20 years I had the melody stuck in my head. I was scared to write lyrics to it, as it may tarnish what I thought was beautiful music. One day, it was a rainy day, and I was sad about a number of different things. I thought, instead of dwelling on sadness, I'm going to put this emotional energy to good use and revisit a song I had always wanted to finish, but never had the courage. I composed the music in GarageBand, and gave it to my producer to play the piano and sing, and he refined it to something that I believe is timeless and will be there for my kids when they will eventually have to wrestle with loved ones at the end of their life journey.

It would be a tie between a Freddy Mercury lead Queen and Jim Croce. I think seeing Freddy Mercury live would be unparalleled. But listening to Jim Croce sing the "Time in a Bottle" while he doesn't realize how real the song is for him, being that he passes away in his 30's would be quite the reality.

With many kids and responsibilities, I have maybe an hour to myself each night. So there are seldom times I get to practice. But I do get to compose!

It's probably a tie between my song "Butterflies" and an unreleased song called "Quittin Time". For butterflies, I was changing out a load of laundry, totally exhausted with a our 3rd child being born a mere two months prior. Knowing that your partner in life will be there through it all and still makes you feel alive even when you are sleep deprived at 3 AM changing laundry.

for "Quittin Time" I was staring out the window in a board room in the middle of a meeting when a loud bagpipe melody came in my head.

music can be born anywhere!

Haha no, I plan on being a game charger in my neighborhood. Many times we want to be heard on a large scale in front of thousands, or millions of people, when your most influential gesture that day may be simply showing love in whatever way possible to someone right next to you.

I am more like "Brian Wilson" from the "Beach Boys". I would much rather compose than perform. But if I were to perform, it would be with friends just having a great time, not caring if we miss a note hear or there. Just enjoying the sounds we create, with the sound of a crowd knowing the lyrics as well as we do.

The most memorable response was from a friend that just his dad. "My goodness..... this was amazing" was the response. As much as I knew it would bring many emotions to mind and would be difficult to hear what the lyrics of the song were, the song was a celebration of his life. I've had professionals review my work and give many great compliments, but making a song for someone's situation to resonate with how their feeling, can't be matched.

I want people to feel the heart of it is a sad song and I want them to feel joy and laughter when it's funny, and most of all be inspired to be their best selves when the song calls you to action.

I would love for many to enjoy my music, without myself being famous.

I think when you force a theme of music and it's not from your heart, it will show in the end product of the song. Utilizing experiences and recent things that are happening in your life is a way to process your feelings on the subject and is a way to diffuse negative events and create something beautiful from it.

Two words would be "Eclectic" and "Sonically diverse"

I think colloborating with Jon Foreman, Matt Thiessen, Lecrae, or Toby Mac would be special. The funny thing is, each one of these artists have collaborated with each other at some point.

I think sharing poignant music specifically when the theme matches an event or trial that someone is going through is meaningful and is a way to show sympathy/empathy.

Many artists measure their success by streams, likes, and popularity. I measure success with impacting the immediate people around me. Not everyone will like your music, but if you like it and share it with others to discuss deeper things, that is the definition of success. 

If music is making you lonely, you are doing it wrong! Music is meant to share and collaborate with others. If you start feeling lonely, get out and spend the time with people that matter.

It's hard to pick just one.

but one of my favorites is "Wouldn't it be nice" by The Beach Boys. It personifies hope and themes of looking forward to the future. It also has some of the best harmonies recorded. 

Money should never be the focus. Pursue what sounds good. Accept criticism, but don't change the sound just to make people happy. It matters most if you like your own music.