Exposed Vocals Interviews Anthony Brody
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
A.B.: I was born in Madisonville, KY but I was raised in Hopkinsville, KY as well as Columbus, GA through my teenage years. My childhood life was great starting out. It was my mother, little sister, older brother, and I. My biological father was never around so my sister’s dad was my male figure. My brother and I shared the same father. My step dad was able to show us new things and take us to new places seeing as how he was military at the time. In school I was the “Do what’s needed to qualify as passing” kind of guy. Hahaha. My step dad stayed on me about that all the time. He said he seen more in me than what I was doing. He was always a motivational type of guy. As time passed everything was going well for my family. My little brother was born in 1993, so he really never got to experience everything we did. Both parents worked all the time, all we had was house rules and chores and we could get whatever we wanted. I will never forget the moment I came home and my mom asked me what relative I wanted to live with. I didn’t understand at the time what was going on, but as I got older everything revealed itself to me. They both had drug abuse problems. They were so behind on bills that we had to split up as a family until they got everything figured out. I remember carrying buckets of water from our neighbors houses to ours just to bathe and running extension cords from the neighbor’s house to ours so we could watch tv. I even remember on the last night of being in that house cooking lil smokies over a candle for dinner. Even through those times, my mother made us feel as if everything was just fine. It’s crazy how you can go from having it all right there to having nothing at all. It was then that I moved to live with my aunt in GA. That experience alone taught me to be thankful for the things I do have. I went through a lot while growing up in GA as well as Kentucky. I wanted to share my story and experiences with the world, so what better way than through music? I can’t say that I really decided to become an artist. I have been writing poems ever since I learned to write them in elementary school. So it’s more of me just changing up the delivery.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
A.B.: The name A.B. is my initials. I didn’t want to be known by some off the wall name. In my music I give the listener me, Anthony Brody. I’m just trying to keep my name as true to me as I am to my music. I once had my step father’s last name when he and my mom married. He sat me down one day and said he was changing me and my brother’s last name back to Brody. I asked why and he said, “One day you’ll do something, or be something great. You will want everyone to know you by who you really are, and make everybody close to you proud of you.” So that message stuck out in my head when it came to picking my artist name, which lead me to choose “A.B.”.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
A.B.: Online music sharing is a great way for indie artist to get their music out. I do give away some free music on my Reverbnation page (reverbnation.com/a_ab32). I only allow listeners who are fans that join my mailing list have access to the free downloads. Giving away music for free to me is like free promotion. Some people may get it and just play it all over town in their car, while some may burn a few copies to pass out to friends or whatever. Either way, you’re being heard. When you’re an indie artist like myself, you have to give sometimes.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
A.B.: Network, network, network!! I can’t say it enough. The more relationships you make with DJ’s, publicists, PR’s, other artists or whoever, the better your chances at landing gigs and airplay. Internet radio is also at an all-time high right now. They offer lots of different promo packages; you just have to find one that suits what you’re looking for. Yes, you will have to spend money. Nobody is giving away anything free out here no matter how well you know them. Keep in mind this is a business. If you think somebody is going to offer you a free ride into the industry, your dead wrong.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
A.B.: Like I said, most of my writing comes from past experiences, old relationships and family issues. Mostly relationships though. My mind is just like a book. I just go back to when a certain situation took place in my life and I can write a song about it. There’s really not much struggle to writing a song when it’s my real life situation. Give me a studio with a nice beat and I’m gone. Some of the more seductive songs I write from experience as well as fantasy.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
A.B: As of now I have a website under construction. Fans will be able to buy MP3s, watch videos of recording sessions, clips of my everyday life, and also buy A.B. merchandise. Just as the free downloads on Reverbnation, all my fans will have to do is submit an email address and join my mailing list. So it’ll be free to join. Until I get that up and running I have a Facebook fan page (Facebook.com/abvibe) that I use. Or you can find it under A.B.-AnthonyBrody. As of now, Reverbnation is acting as my distributor. I also use the different magazine companies that promote online. I’ve done quite a few interviews and also have a radio interview on June 27th with South Florida’s Hot94.4fm @1:30pm EST, tune in if you can. I have music on Amazon, Spotify, iTunes, X-Box music and many other digital stores for purchasing.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
A.B.: If I were given a half of a million dollars, I’d first get a new house for my family and probably buy the one I’m living in right now. It was built in the 1920’s and It’s been pretty well kept. It reminds me of my grandma’s old house. Aside from that I’d also find some other investments to throw money into that could grow in time. Not sure exactly what, I’d have to brainstorm and come up with a plan, do a little research. I’ve never been the lavish type of guy so I’m not the typical blow it all on cars and such. A great deal of it would be spent on my career. Getting my voice and face out there. I’d be all over the place. Everywhere you’d look it’s an advertisement for A.B. Hahaha. Main thing, I just want my family to be taken care of and not have to worry about much and be able to enjoy life.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
A.B.: I usually promote using campaigns on Facebook, and dropping links in different groups and on different social media sites. In my town I also have shirts that people can purchase in support of upcoming projects. I also have my single I released on cd’s with clips of songs that will be on my EP.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
A.B.: As of now I’m just focused on growing my fan base and letting people know who I am or that I even exist in the industry. My single “Couple of Ways” is my project for now. I have it on several EAERADIO stations in heavy rotation. As of now I’m on the TOP40 Independent Artist, and Top40 Most Requested Independent Artists as #16. I’m aiming to fall into the top 10 soon. I have been continuously writing throughout the push of my single and have completed an E.P that I have been working on titled “Their Thoughts My Words” basically full of tracks with things most think but don’t have the will to say or express. Not sure of the release date yet. It was supposed to be this spring but I had to push it back to properly push my single first. An album is also in the works.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
A.B.: If I weren’t making music, I’d be stressed out working factory life the rest of my days to come. Hahaha. Not to say there is anything wrong with working in a factory. I work in one now and the place is great but without music, it would be more stressful. They even let us listen to radios on the line. Music keeps my mind busy and gives me a way to relieve myself of things that may stress me out a little bit throughout the day. No matter what it is. I can’t imagine not being able to think or produce music. I also took up Culinary Arts for a year. I really enjoyed it and that would probably be my profession if not music.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
A.B.: I just do it, Hahaha. It’s not always easy but I try my best to make time for everybody and everything. I don’t see my mom, brothers, or sister as much as an average person would see their siblings and parents. Nor do I attend all functions that go on in my primary household. They all understand what I’m trying to accomplish though and I love them all for that.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
A.B.: For 2016 you all can be on the lookout for more and more radio, and lots of interviews, blogs and mag covers. Like I said I’m trying to get known right now. That’s the focus. If a few shows pop up, I wouldn’t mind performing. By the end of this year, I plan for you all to have a full understanding of who A.B. is.