Growing up, I’ve been privileged to witness the rise of certain talented musicians in many genres of music. One such musician is bass player Evan Brewer, who really is one of the best at his craft. Two solo albums, a large part of bands like Animosity and Reflux, and now a part of rising progressive tech-metal newcomers Entheos, Evan has surely influenced many of today’s best bass players – both through online playthroughs and his overall body of work. But like most musicians in his position, it hasn’t come easy. We all know the struggle that artists have – especially the life of a touring musician. It may appear glamorous on the outside, but financially, it’s often difficult.
I talked with Evan (along with a few fan-submitted questions) about the Entheos project, how often he gets asked about reuniting/reforming Animosity/Reflux, and songs that he learned on the bass initially. Check that out below, along with the new Entheos song, “Neural Damage”. Their debut album drops a month from today on Artery Recordings.
Please introduce yourself, what musical projects you’re currently in, and something interesting about yourself.
My name is Evan Brewer. I am the bass player of Entheos and have a project under my name.
Tell us a little more about the new project you’re a part of, Entheos. How did it all come together?
Entheos is a heavy metal band. Navene, the drummer, had an idea that he wanted to play metal again so he assembled this band as an outlet for him to do metal. He asked me if I wanted to do it and I said yes. At the time I didn’t think much of it. I figured it would be a fun project and give us an excuse to meet up and record some stuff. It’s grown way beyond that very quickly. It’s quickly becoming a full time band.
You’re known for being a part of many bands at one point and time, yet you also have put out well-received solo albums. In 2011, you recorded “Alone”, which was comprised entirely of sounds from the bass guitar. How difficult was it to record, and where does it rank on your list of accomplishments?
It was extremely difficult to record but probably not for the reasons you would expect. Animosity had been broken up for somewhere between one and two years at the time and I had been at home not doing anything with music. Barely even playing bass. I was going through some kind of identity crisis where I was questioning whether I even wanted to pursue music in a public manner anymore. I was tired of the scrutiny, I was uninspired and just generally burnt out on the pursuit of recognition and fame associated with a career in music. It was only when I took a trip to Hawaii that I had a moment of clarity where I realized that a lot of why I had become disenchanted with music as a career was because I had never actually put my musical identity out there for people to hear. So with all my industry and band “friends” having basically forgotten about me I decided to embark on making an album with the only resources I had available, myself and only myself. Hence the title “alone”. The title refers to the fact that I wrote, recorded, mixed, and mastered the album alone but more personally to the fact that I had never felt so alone in my life as I did at that time. So I was working a full time manual labor job coming home physically and mentally exhausted and trying to sit at my computer and muster up any little bit of inspiration and energy I could to record this album. I was spread thin to say the least.
As for where it ranks on my list of accomplishments I would say nowhere because I don’t have a list of accomplishments. I’m glad I made it. It opened up a whole new world of recognition and options for me. It was the first time the world got to share in that part of my musical identity, which I had been doing for a decade before making the record. I will say that I am embarrassed by it. I never wanted to be a solo bass player, I always thought that was corny. Part of that moment of clarity I had was coming to terms with the fact that if I let my fear of being corny, or criticized, or vulnerable steer my decisions I would be stuck exactly where I was at the time and I wasn’t going to be happy.
How often do you get asked to reunite Reflux and/or Animosity?
Animosity more than Reflux. I think it’s less about people wanting to see a reunion and more people just expressing to me that they know my history. I’m not a reunion kind of person. My thoughts are, why would we do that? We already did that. I’m on to the next thing. Not particularly nostalgic.
What were some of the first songs you learned to play on bass? What are some easy ones to play for beginning bass players?
Uhh most songs are easy on bass. First songs I learned were stand by me, smoke on the water, under the bridge, sunshine of your love, all nirvana songs. Again most popular songs are really really easy on bass. Pick some songs you like and learn them. These days everything is written out free on the internet. You don’t even have to use your ears and brain, but I recommend using your ears and brain instead.
Our resident photographer, Nick Zimmer, recently moved to Tennessee. I know you live there as well – what is it about Tennessee that you enjoy the most?
I don’t know. I was just born and raised in Nashville. It’s all I know. Nashville is rapidly changing into a place that doesn’t resonate well with me. Condos, fashion, traffic, congestion, higher cost of living etc etc. That’s why I moved away to a bordering smaller town. I enjoy a simple easy life when I’m not on the road. I think that they balance each other well.
You’ve mentioned in previous interviews how important is it to find your “voice”, and seek inspiration. Where do you actively go for musical inspiration?
It’s all around you. You just have to learn to be open to it. Kinda like how every radio station in your area is transmitting through the air at all times you just don’t hear it unless you tune your radio to it.
Without delving too much into politics, when education budget cuts happen, the music classes are often the first thing to go. If you had the power to do so, how would you go about getting kids and young people in general back into music classes?
That’s the problem. Most of us who feel passionate about this issue are musicians who don’t have a clue what really needs to happen to correct anything like that. I can barely make enough money to survive. I have a hard time functioning in society. It would take someone way smarter than me to tackle that issue.
The vocalist for the Entheos project, Chaney Crabb, is rather impressive. Where did you guys find her? Why does she mesh so well with all of you?
She is Navene’s girlfriend. So that would be a question for him. I think she meshes well with us because she is good at what she does, takes it seriously, and is like minded.
You signed with Artery Recordings recently for the release of the debut Entheos album – what went into that decision?
They offered, what we felt was, the best contract. Business is business.
Do you have anything else you’d like to mention at this time? Can we expect another solo album anytime soon?
I wouldn’t say you could expect an album soon but some day I’m sure there will be a third album.
I would just like to end by thanking you for your work to help further the culture of underground music and encourage you to keep up the good work even though it’s hard work. THANKS!!!!
