Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

 

Garron Bernard: I grew up on my grandparent’s farm in the small eastern North Carolina town of Newton Grove. I was kind of an odd kid being that I gravitated towards rock and alternative music that wasn’t mainstream. I started playing music back around 1993. I wanted to learn to play after discovering Lenny Kravitz on the music video show Night Flight. I later discovered the alternative rock and taught myself guitar by purchasing a chord book and watching bands perform on the late night shows like Leno and Letterman. Music was a way of escape and expression for me. It saved my life.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

Garron Bernard: Garron Bernard is actually my first and middle names. I’m named after my dad Garron and my grandfather Bernard. My grandfather was my best friend and encouraged me to keep writing and playing music.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

I think Prince once said that “money and art don’t mix.” I do share some of my art online for free, but at the same time as an independent artist need to generate some form of income so that I can continue to record and perform. I think online sharing has its pros and cons just like anything else.

 

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?

Garron Bernard: Meet as many other musicians as you can, network, and always be open to learning. I feel that as an indie artist that networking and trading shows is key to expanding your audience. Get to know other artists in your area and region then expand outward.

 

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

Garron Bernard: I am a man of faith currently in divinity school so a great deal of my music is inspired by my faith in God. In John 16:33 Jesus said “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Much of my ispiration is drawn from the trouble and daily struggle that I see in my life and in the world each day and the hope and faith that I will overcome it through God. My recently released EP “The Darkness & The Light” is my first Alternative Contemporary Christian EP and I think it is a real reflection of my inspiration. As far as a process for writing, I just write, reflect, and pray a lot and things usually go from there. My acoustic guitar, my Bible, my song journal, my iPhone, and my pen are all I need.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

Garron Bernard: I am on Reverb Nation at www.reverbnation.com/garronbernard7

I’m on Twitter and can be followed at @garron_b

I also have a music page on Facebook.

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

Garron Bernard: I would donate some to charity, some to my church, put together a band and tour some impovrished areas.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Garron Bernard: My two best avenues are word of mouth and social media. Getting out there and performing any chance you get works pretty well also. This is the method I enjoy most.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about? 

Garron Bernard: Well I just releases “The Darkness & The Light” back on March 5th, 2016 and I look forward to playing shows in support of that EP. I have already begun writing material for another EP and possibly a full length follow-up that I hope to record and release later in 2016 or early 2017.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Garron Bernard: I really couldn’t imagine myself not creating music. I guess I’d probably be a meteorologist.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

Garron Bernard: Scheduling, prayer,  self discipline, and lots of coffee.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?

Garron Bernard: My friends should be on the lookout for me to play a church, festival, or Christian music venue near them and also be on the lookout for more new music.