Check out our latest interview with Beau Bokan of Blessthefall about their forthcoming UK dates, and his thoughts on the band’s legacy…
[like_to_read][/like_to_read]S] How are you looking forward to these UK shows?
We’re always so excited to come back to the UK. We find that the fans out there are a special breed. Because we don’t come as often they have to be really dedicated to have stuck by us for so long.
S] What have been a couple of career-highlight moments from the UK?
I remember headlining the Garage with Pierce The Veil and Motionless In White supporting us. It was a sold-out, packed, disgustingly sweaty show. Kerrang! gave us five stars for our live performance. While we don’t base our success off of reviews and critics we definitely felt like we had reached a special place in our careers.
S] How do you look back on the legacy of Blessthefall right now?
I truly feel like we’ve carved out our own little place in music history. Having been a band for 10 years we were at the forefront of the metalcore movement and we’ve seen how our music has influenced a lot of bands in the scene. Now we’re looking to do that again with the new music we’re writing.
S] What’s motivating the band outside of music, think people, places, games and such?
For me, my wife and daughter are my biggest motivations. Everything I do is for them. Having to leave them for long periods of time is heart-wrenching and definitely inspiring some of the most somber songs we’ve ever written.
S] What have you learned about yourself through the music that you’ve made with Blessthefall, from your first shows, to now?
I’ve learned that there are people out there who use our music as therapy to get through tough situations. When we play shows, I get to truly connect with those people directly and on so many levels. I’ve learned that this band is temporary and can’t last forever so I try to appreciate it fully and live in the moment as it’s happening.
S] How do you approach success, what does it mean to you nowadays?
I’m honestly humbled by any sort of success. To be able to play music we love for a living for the the last 10 years has been a blessing. Every year I feel like people could just be over it and move on to the next thing but our fans stick around. In fact there seems to be people at every show who mention it’s their first time watching us play and that to me is a victory on its own.
S] How would you advise any young musicians who might be inspired by you, and your work?
Just write and sing from your heart. No matter what type of music you’re playing or writing do it with conviction. Whether it’s a song about how much you love ice-cream or if it’s about your pet tarantula. Just be passionate and honest. It will shine through all the bullshit.
