THE COLOUR YOU
METAL PULP AND PAPER: Hello Julian and Bemo. Thank you for taking the time to speak with Metal Pulp And Paper. We appreciate it. It’s great to be catching up with the both of you. How is everyone doing today?
JULIAN COMEAU: Doing really well, thanks!
MPAP: Your debut music video for your song "Set Me Free" is starting to blow up on YouTube, but before we talk about that, and about some other things, let’s introduce your band to all the readers out there that might not have heard of you just yet, shall we?
The Colour You is an American rock band from Baton Rouge, Louisiana that recently formed in the past couple years, that blends hard-hitting, and energetic guitar riffs, with some melodic vocals, infusing it all together with a dark modern pop element. Care to add anything else on top of that you feel everyone should know about you that might night be out there in the waves of the internet?
JULIAN: That pretty much sums it up actually.
MPAP: So, let’s talk about that music video "Set Me Free" now. First off, it can almost be tagged NSFW (not safe for work) correct?
JULIAN: Funny enough, we tried to put up a Facebook ad and we were denied because of sexual content. Looking back, I see now why they said that. Oops.
MPAP: Julian, please tell us who the lovely lady was who was on the bed and in the shower scene with you if you don’t mind?
JULIAN: With the nature of the video, I think we’re gonna keep it on the low. It’s inevitably so awkward getting that close to someone you just met, but she was really great. It was essentially “Hey, nice to meet you!”, then we were on the bed. But our director, Sidney Lee Lopez, ran a really professional set and made us both feel really comfortable about the whole thing.
MPAP: I’m sure her Facebook and her Instagram pages just got flooded with a bunch of new followers, right?
JULIAN: Haha, maybe!
MPAP: Moving on, give us the rest of the story about the music video? What’s the synopsis of it and what the song personally means to you?
JULIAN: The video is really cool for this one. I see it as I’m being pulled in two directions throughout the whole video, the suffering when she’s gone and the suffering when she’s there. When she’s gone, it’s that longing and that emptiness of being alone. But when she’s there, the idea that she might leave is tormenting me. I think that idea fits really nicely with the song’s concept of being so attached to this idea of a person who can save you, but constantly fearing that it’s not meant to be.
MPAP: What are you hoping others will take from it when they hear the song, or watch the video for the first time?
JULIAN: I’m really excited when people hear something from a song or see something in a video that I didn’t experience, so that’s really what I’m looking forward to. I hope people will let me know something that I never even thought to imagine.
MPAP: Now "Set Me Free" is just a single, and you don’t have a release out yet? How soon until all your fans can hear more?
JULIAN: Very, very soon. We have a couple plans in motion to get new music to everyone, it won’t be long now!
MPAP: The music industry age has changed so much over the years, that buying a physical copy of an artist’s release is something that’s almost extinct don’t you think?
JULIAN: It definitely appears that way! Streaming is really key for a lot of bands, and it’s kind of a blessing and a curse. It’s allowed so many people to really branch out and expand beyond their distribution means, and I think that’s cool. But it seems to be hurting the 'album'. I miss the days when I felt like I wasn't one of the only people that listened to a whole album all the way through.
MPAP: And the leading platform for bands getting heard is now streaming it online or putting it out on iTunes or Bandcamp? It’s taken a toll on how much money a new group makes since the major record labels only give out to the big-name artists or bands that are hip-hop top 40.
JULIAN: There’s a lot that bands can do nowadays to focus their outreach and get their music heard, getting on iTunes is just step one! A friend of mine is actually building a great outlet for bands that want to expand and grow, I’d definitely recommend checking out their Facebook group, "Last Band Standing"(https://www.facebook.com/groups/lastbandstanding/). They post daily videos that range from little recording tips to huge branding game changers.
MPAP: It's been said that a lot of bands find it more accessible, and even cheaper to just release an EP, or just a single song or two now and then? Is this something you will do, or do you plan on putting out a full-length release?
JULIAN: We’re definitely planning on putting out a full-length at some point, currently we’re focused on pushing this single and letting people know what we’re about!
MPAP: What do each of you feel is one the hardest things about being in the music industry unless you’re a band like Metallica or has a following like Beyoncé?
JULIAN: The hardest thing in the industry will be when they join forces to become Beyoncétallica. On a more serious note, I think the biggest problem for a lot of people is finding a dedicated team that supports and actually helps them navigate this crazy industry. You gotta find band members that truly want to be doing exactly what you’re doing, if you’ve got management they need to be super excited about what you’re doing, assemble a solid team and you’ll be far less likely to fail.
MPAP: What is it that has gotten you each so far today in the music world? Each of you was in previous bands before this, but what do you think has gotten you here today and you haven’t thrown in the towel just yet?
JULIAN: I made it to where I am because I’m such a freakin’ dork about music. I was so obsessed with singing that I used to sing for a solid 8 hours a day, then I discovered recording and I was behind a computer for 10+ hours a day. I literally don’t think I could stop making music if I tried.
MPAP: Speaking of previous bands, Bemo you were previously in the heavy metal band Cane Hill. You stand The Colour You and Cane Hill side by side, and you have a different genre or even style of music in a way? Why did you go for the different musical direction after Cane Hill?
BEMO BARNETT: I've always been into various styles of music; Rock, Metal, Country, Pop, Rap, whatever. Don't get me wrong I absolutely loved my time in Cane Hill and everything that I created with those guys, but even while in that band any time I had control over the radio on my driving shifts it was a much different vibe going on that when the other guys were at the wheel. I think I just wanted a change of pace. I've always been in heavy bands since my first local band back in 2001. This is a new territory for me and its fun and scary all at the same time.
MPAP: And Julian you were living in California when Bemo got a hold of you about checking out some things he was working on correct?
JULIAN: Yep!
MPAP: It was almost like a week later after that you were on a plane and moving to Louisiana if I’ve read the story, right?
JULIAN: That’s not far off at all. I flew out on a sort of 'trial period' for a couple weeks to record, but we knew pretty quickly that it was something we all wanted to do. I think I flew back twice, then I was living there.
MPAP: With just not knowing Bemo all that much, you were ready to give up California and bank everything on this band in Louisiana?
JULIAN: I’d known Bemo for a few years via a previous band, and honestly I had no intentions of moving to Louisiana until all of a sudden I had a lease!
MPAP: That’s almost crazy, right? Or did you know it was all going to work out just fine?
JULIAN: It was completely crazy. I had no idea if it was going to work out, but I knew I had to give it a try. Anything worth having is gonna have a risk!
MPAP: Going back to when the new music comes out, what can we expect? Give us a few details about what we will hear?
JULIAN: New music is coming so soon. I don’t want to give away too much, but I will say that it’s a cover and it is not something you’re going to expect.
MPAP: Before we wrap things up, what does The Colour You have going on for this summer other than working on new music? Can you give out any tours in the making just yet?
JULIAN: We have a few plans in the works, for now we have a show coming up July 6th in New Orleans and we’d love to see some folks out there. It’s gonna be a great show.
MPAP: On behalf of myself and Metal Pulp And Paper, I’d like to thank each one of you for being a part of this interview. We look forward to what The Colour You does to finish out 2018 and beyond.
JULIAN: Thank you for having us! Always a pleasure.
FIND/FOLLOW/LISTEN
THE COLOUR YOU
HERE:
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©metalpulpandpaper
JULIAN COMEAU: Doing really well, thanks!
MPAP: Your debut music video for your song "Set Me Free" is starting to blow up on YouTube, but before we talk about that, and about some other things, let’s introduce your band to all the readers out there that might not have heard of you just yet, shall we?
The Colour You is an American rock band from Baton Rouge, Louisiana that recently formed in the past couple years, that blends hard-hitting, and energetic guitar riffs, with some melodic vocals, infusing it all together with a dark modern pop element. Care to add anything else on top of that you feel everyone should know about you that might night be out there in the waves of the internet?
JULIAN: That pretty much sums it up actually.
MPAP: So, let’s talk about that music video "Set Me Free" now. First off, it can almost be tagged NSFW (not safe for work) correct?
JULIAN: Funny enough, we tried to put up a Facebook ad and we were denied because of sexual content. Looking back, I see now why they said that. Oops.
MPAP: Julian, please tell us who the lovely lady was who was on the bed and in the shower scene with you if you don’t mind?
JULIAN: With the nature of the video, I think we’re gonna keep it on the low. It’s inevitably so awkward getting that close to someone you just met, but she was really great. It was essentially “Hey, nice to meet you!”, then we were on the bed. But our director, Sidney Lee Lopez, ran a really professional set and made us both feel really comfortable about the whole thing.
MPAP: I’m sure her Facebook and her Instagram pages just got flooded with a bunch of new followers, right?
JULIAN: Haha, maybe!
MPAP: Moving on, give us the rest of the story about the music video? What’s the synopsis of it and what the song personally means to you?
JULIAN: The video is really cool for this one. I see it as I’m being pulled in two directions throughout the whole video, the suffering when she’s gone and the suffering when she’s there. When she’s gone, it’s that longing and that emptiness of being alone. But when she’s there, the idea that she might leave is tormenting me. I think that idea fits really nicely with the song’s concept of being so attached to this idea of a person who can save you, but constantly fearing that it’s not meant to be.
MPAP: What are you hoping others will take from it when they hear the song, or watch the video for the first time?
JULIAN: I’m really excited when people hear something from a song or see something in a video that I didn’t experience, so that’s really what I’m looking forward to. I hope people will let me know something that I never even thought to imagine.
MPAP: Now "Set Me Free" is just a single, and you don’t have a release out yet? How soon until all your fans can hear more?
JULIAN: Very, very soon. We have a couple plans in motion to get new music to everyone, it won’t be long now!
MPAP: The music industry age has changed so much over the years, that buying a physical copy of an artist’s release is something that’s almost extinct don’t you think?
JULIAN: It definitely appears that way! Streaming is really key for a lot of bands, and it’s kind of a blessing and a curse. It’s allowed so many people to really branch out and expand beyond their distribution means, and I think that’s cool. But it seems to be hurting the 'album'. I miss the days when I felt like I wasn't one of the only people that listened to a whole album all the way through.
MPAP: And the leading platform for bands getting heard is now streaming it online or putting it out on iTunes or Bandcamp? It’s taken a toll on how much money a new group makes since the major record labels only give out to the big-name artists or bands that are hip-hop top 40.
JULIAN: There’s a lot that bands can do nowadays to focus their outreach and get their music heard, getting on iTunes is just step one! A friend of mine is actually building a great outlet for bands that want to expand and grow, I’d definitely recommend checking out their Facebook group, "Last Band Standing"(https://www.facebook.com/groups/lastbandstanding/). They post daily videos that range from little recording tips to huge branding game changers.
MPAP: It's been said that a lot of bands find it more accessible, and even cheaper to just release an EP, or just a single song or two now and then? Is this something you will do, or do you plan on putting out a full-length release?
JULIAN: We’re definitely planning on putting out a full-length at some point, currently we’re focused on pushing this single and letting people know what we’re about!
MPAP: What do each of you feel is one the hardest things about being in the music industry unless you’re a band like Metallica or has a following like Beyoncé?
JULIAN: The hardest thing in the industry will be when they join forces to become Beyoncétallica. On a more serious note, I think the biggest problem for a lot of people is finding a dedicated team that supports and actually helps them navigate this crazy industry. You gotta find band members that truly want to be doing exactly what you’re doing, if you’ve got management they need to be super excited about what you’re doing, assemble a solid team and you’ll be far less likely to fail.
MPAP: What is it that has gotten you each so far today in the music world? Each of you was in previous bands before this, but what do you think has gotten you here today and you haven’t thrown in the towel just yet?
JULIAN: I made it to where I am because I’m such a freakin’ dork about music. I was so obsessed with singing that I used to sing for a solid 8 hours a day, then I discovered recording and I was behind a computer for 10+ hours a day. I literally don’t think I could stop making music if I tried.
MPAP: Speaking of previous bands, Bemo you were previously in the heavy metal band Cane Hill. You stand The Colour You and Cane Hill side by side, and you have a different genre or even style of music in a way? Why did you go for the different musical direction after Cane Hill?
BEMO BARNETT: I've always been into various styles of music; Rock, Metal, Country, Pop, Rap, whatever. Don't get me wrong I absolutely loved my time in Cane Hill and everything that I created with those guys, but even while in that band any time I had control over the radio on my driving shifts it was a much different vibe going on that when the other guys were at the wheel. I think I just wanted a change of pace. I've always been in heavy bands since my first local band back in 2001. This is a new territory for me and its fun and scary all at the same time.
MPAP: And Julian you were living in California when Bemo got a hold of you about checking out some things he was working on correct?
JULIAN: Yep!
MPAP: It was almost like a week later after that you were on a plane and moving to Louisiana if I’ve read the story, right?
JULIAN: That’s not far off at all. I flew out on a sort of 'trial period' for a couple weeks to record, but we knew pretty quickly that it was something we all wanted to do. I think I flew back twice, then I was living there.
MPAP: With just not knowing Bemo all that much, you were ready to give up California and bank everything on this band in Louisiana?
JULIAN: I’d known Bemo for a few years via a previous band, and honestly I had no intentions of moving to Louisiana until all of a sudden I had a lease!
MPAP: That’s almost crazy, right? Or did you know it was all going to work out just fine?
JULIAN: It was completely crazy. I had no idea if it was going to work out, but I knew I had to give it a try. Anything worth having is gonna have a risk!
MPAP: Going back to when the new music comes out, what can we expect? Give us a few details about what we will hear?
JULIAN: New music is coming so soon. I don’t want to give away too much, but I will say that it’s a cover and it is not something you’re going to expect.
MPAP: Before we wrap things up, what does The Colour You have going on for this summer other than working on new music? Can you give out any tours in the making just yet?
JULIAN: We have a few plans in the works, for now we have a show coming up July 6th in New Orleans and we’d love to see some folks out there. It’s gonna be a great show.
MPAP: On behalf of myself and Metal Pulp And Paper, I’d like to thank each one of you for being a part of this interview. We look forward to what The Colour You does to finish out 2018 and beyond.
JULIAN: Thank you for having us! Always a pleasure.
FIND/FOLLOW/LISTEN
THE COLOUR YOU
HERE:
©metalpulpandpaper