Interview with The Champion and his Burning Flame

Trevor, singer and pianist of The Champion and His Burning Flame, answered our Soundcheck questions. The band does not only enjoys to go on tour, but also loves to records film scores. Which plans they have for their future is answered in the following interview.

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Photo: Casey Brooks

1. How would you describe your music in one sentence?

Our music explores the intersection between narrative lyrical structures and a chamber pop motif.

2. Was there something like a light bulb moment when you were young, maybe a concert, a certain song or a record that made you dream about a career as a musician?

When I first heard Vince Guaraldi playing piano I thought "Oh my goodness, THIS is something worth doing!"

3. Are there any artists that might have influenced you or inspired you some time?

We've found a lot of inspiration from the work of the Danielson Famile. Specifically how they handle family, relationships and music.

4. How do you develop your songs? What part comes first, music or lyrics?

We develop songs in a few different ways. Often it's music first, then lyrics. When we're working on a film score we try to survey the footage, then interface with the director and try and work with the scene to create a particular mood. For a full length record with a narrative story line we'd begin with the characters and lyrics and then create music around them.

5. What song is most important to you? Why and how did it develop?

We recorded a song titled "Redemptron" for a film titled "The Time Closet." It's a song about being a faithful friend. Some of the best parts of being in a band is just being with my friends; this song reminds me of that.

6. In what aspects did your music change compared to when you started to make music?

When we started we were obsessed with trying to be "different." Now we've come to realize that trying to be "different" for its own sake is either going to drive you crazy or result in really bad music. Now we just try to make Good music and trust that our uniqueness as individuals will shine through to foster a unique sound.

7. What has been the best experience so far, together as a band?

We played in Asheville, North Carolina and just had a great time. The show was fun, but mostly it was a special time as friends to be around each other and other musical people.

8. What can you tell us about your current projects?

We are scoring some short films for the release of a book about the Holy Spirit and after that we'll devote the rest of the year to developing a Christmas show. Next year we plan on making a full length record.

9. And what are you aspiring to in the future, what do you want to achieve?

We would love to continue making records, playing shows and working in film. Maybe we'll make money and maybe we won't, but our aspirations are to continue creating together. For us it's not achievement, but the process.

10. With whom would you like to go on tour?

We'd love to tour with Arcade Fire. Thank you for asking.

11. What record would we find in your CD-player right now?

Grizzly Bear, Veckatimest

12. What do you think, as artists, about platforms like mySpace?

Social networking is great for generating "buzz" and getting the word out. We, however, always prefer a good, face-to-face conversation with something who really enjoys our music.

13. myFanbase is a website that is devoted to American television shows. Do you have a favorite show?

Our favorite shows are: "House", "Lost", "Arrested Development" and "Seinfeld".

Catherine Bühnsack - myFanbase