Interview with The Rise of The Broken

In just a few days, Alternative Rock band, The Rise of the Broken will have released their new album, Surpassing The Signs. We recently brought you their new video for their song, Lucy You Ain’t Fair and you can check it out once again here:

The band features vocalist and guitarist, Kevin Rodriguez as he brings together his catchy hooks and rockin melodies to life with his music. We had the chance to interview Kevin and are pleased to bring you the interview here:

Music Junkie Press: Thank you so much for taking the time out to talk with us here at Music Junkie Press! Can you tell us how The Rise of the Broken began?

Kevin: The Rise of the Broken began when I (Kevin Rodriguez) was living in Germany back in 2008 and was hanging out with all my friends who knew how to play at least 2 instruments. I would always hear them jam and play music that I decided with my spare time to start learning guitar and to learn how to write my own songs. A couple months of learning covers and writing new music, I played my first show at the Gleis 22 in Munster, Germany, which was a solid turnout and packed house that night so it made it a very memorable night. Ever since, I’ve written songs, performed, and presented myself as the Rise of the Broken.

Music Junkie Press: We love the new song and video for Lucy You Ain’t Fair? Who did you work with on the video and are you working on any more videos?

Kevin: The music video for Lucy You Ain’t Fair was filmed with a couple of friends who helped with the playing of drums and bass, to also helping me shoot the scenes, since I wasn’t able to do that myself. I then used the footage I had from what a couple of friends shot and edited the video myself. I am currently working on a couple ideas for new videos, which I’m hoping to shoot very soon to release once the album is released.

Music Junkie Press: You are just about the release your new Surpassing the Signs next week. Can you tell us a little about the recording of the album?

Kevin: The recording of the album was a fun experience. I sat in my room and wrote and recorded each song on my laptop and Pro Tools. I worked with my good friend Austin Dykes, who is a phenomenal musician, producer, and engineer, who was also a delight to work with. He helped me out with producing the tracks and followed my instructions for how I wanted the songs to sound, and also gave me great feedback and ideas for the songs. He did a great part in this album and simply made working on the album from my room in Texas and his “laboratory” back in Georgia, very pleasant and not stressful at all despite the distance and communicating online only.

Music Junkie Press: I love the title and I love the artwork. How did you come up with the title and the artwork?

Kevin: The title for the album came to me while hanging out with old friends of mine. I simply was thinking of what I wanted to write about for the new album and how I was feeling. I was watching a lot of Supernatural while writing the new album that the songs portray big parts and influences from the show. The artwork came to mind while just seeing images and things online honestly. I liked the idea of having a world, roads, houses, and buildings all around in it, that pretty much explained how every road can take you wherever you’d like it to and make your own destiny, so basically, ‘Surpassing the Signs,’ that you have to simply be who people tell you to be, and do what makes you happy.

Music Junkie Press: In this fast paced world, we are speeding by and missing so much. Can you explain about the inspiration behind this album?

Kevin: Like previously said, the album was inspired by the show Supernatural and the situations in the show between the brothers and other characters. In the show Dean and Sam (the Winchester brothers) are basically set on this road to their destiny. Dean is set to be the archangel Michael’s vessel, and Sam is set to be Lucifer’s vessel, and they are to bring on the apocalypse to earth and have what God had created to happen since the start till the end. They go through the show to change their own destiny and don’t believe that what is set for them in the books, and prophecy that they are to bring the apocalypse. They believe that despite the million of encounters that bring them closer to their ‘destiny,’ they believe they are still in control of their life and can choose to change their destiny. If you’ve watched the show, then you know that they stop the apocalypse from happening and change their destiny, despite all odds against them. So basically everything that happened up to that in the show inspired the album and myself to know that even if society wants me to be a pencil pusher in a desk, I can choose to change myself and my future to do what I want and what makes me happy.

Music Junkie Press: What is next for The Rise of The Broken?

Kevin: Right now, I’m focused on promoting the new album online, and with touring. I have a tour being planned for April 16^th-26^th to promote the album and more tour dates to come.

Music Junkie Press: Will you touring soon or the possibility of heading out West to us here in California for shows?

Kevin: I’ll be on the road April 16^th-26^th promoting the album around Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, and I’m planning on going to the east coast around June time or sometime in the summer. I’m hoping to come out the West coast for my first time this year and visit California for the first time. Family and friends have told me great things of it, so hopefully I can come out that way soon.

Music Junkie Press: Your music has a great alternative vibe, Who would you say are your biggest influences that brought you to where you are in music?

Kevin: I’m not sure if I would say they completely influence my music to where I’m at now, but I listen to a lot of Our Last Night, Beartooth, and Breathe Carolina. I guess just my mood influences my style of writing the most.

Music Junkie Press: If we could peak into your Ipod, what artist or song might be most surprising to find in there?

Kevin: Well on my iPhone, I only have Beartooth, Crown the Empire, Our Last Night, but on my actual ipod that I’ve had since about 8^th or 9^th grade (it’s a first generation itouch) I have bands like Get Your Guns, old Emarosa with Chris Rotter, the Scene Aesthetic, Bring Me the Horizon, Horse the Band, and among a lot of other bands. I love all those bands and older music of theirs on there.

Music Junkie Press: If you could put together your dream tour, what three bands would like to have on your lineup?

Kevin: Despite not completely being in the same genre, I’d love to tour with Our Last Night, Breathe Carolina, and Underoath with Aaron Gillespie. My favourite bands all together and getting to see them live every night and hang out would be just magical.

Music Junkie Press: We at Music Junkie Press are strong believers in the power of music and how it can heal, help and inspire. Can you recall a particular time where a certain song or music helped you through something and can you share that story.

Kevin: I have multiple stories to be honest. I’ve had songs from Scary Kids Scarring Kids help me through sad moments of my life. A perfect story that I like sharing is jamming Reinventing Your Exits by Underoath super loud in my buddy’s Josh’s car when we were in high school. It would always make us forget the people who would talk bad about us, make fun of us for how we dressed, or for even playing tennis. It would just make us have a smile on our faces and just sing at the top of our lungs to forget the rest.

Music Junkie Press: Do you have a particular songwriting process and did you start writing at a young age?

Kevin: I started writing music when I was 16 years old. My writing process can vary, but I like to write the melody and music first then sort of freestyle the words for the verses, chorus and bridge and whatever I like the most I write it down and keep it in the song.

Music Junkie Press: Lastly, is there anything else you would like to share with our audience and your fans?

Kevin: Thanks to anyone who listens to the music, who shares it with their friends, who comes to the shows, and/or is a part of the Rise of the Broken in any way you can. It really helps a lot that you take the time to jam the music, and hang out, since I know there are so many bands out there that could be heard instead of us. You give me the strength to keep going and the motivation to better myself to give you guys my all and to prove the non-believers that we can make a difference and that I can do this lifestyle. It means so much when people come up to talk to me at shows and tell me their stories regarding the music, or even simple conversation and that they document our time with a photo with them. It truly is just a blessing and I’m thankful for all of you and can’t wait to keep growing our friendships and family! And thank you Music Junkie Press for taking the time to make this interview happen and helping the Rise of the Broken reach new people.

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You can order the new album by heading over to theriseofthebroken.bigcartel.com. Make sure to visit the social media sites so you can stay up to date on the latest news.

~ Marisol

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