Shortly after completing the anticipated “eternal life” EP, producer Sean Roux and recording artist Brad Benson sat down to hash out some final thoughts from the project.

Sean Roux: So tell me Mr. Benson, before we get into it, why in the world would you choose to be a musician. Don’t get me wrong, MTV and such have a nice way of presenting the pretty highlights and for some reason omit the really crappy parts. You know like playing a show, then not sleeping for 8 hours while you drive home to play another show as you pull into town. Obviously there is more to Performing music then just that, what would you be doing if you were not rocking the North Carolina Music Scene?

Brad Benson: I guess I got into it because I love music so much. I love the way it makes me feel, like when the little hairs on the back of your neck stand on end because a song hits you so hard... I just wanted to do that to other people, I guess... I love the power that comes from people watching me. I still get stage fright, but I like the feeling of adrenaline surging when I have to get on stage, scared or not.
As far as 'choosing' to be a musician, I didn't choose, I got chosen... I have a gift and I'm not going to waste it.
... And if you want to know what I else I would do if I couldn't sing and play, I couldn't tell you. I don't even want to know because I love doing this so much.

SR: As an artist, have you had a lot of help putting together your show and its material? Maybe from prior projects, bands or friends? I know when you’re playing shows in any (music) scene; you’re bound to run into some good peeps.

BB: Oh wow... If it weren't for the help that my friends have given (and continue to give) there would be nothing special about my show, particularly from Parmalee and even more particularly, Barry Knox and Matt Thomas. If you've done your homework (ha-ha) you would already know that they help me with the arrangement of the songs and have played a major part in developing my songwriting style. And I've also learned a lot from their live shows, like stage presence and all that.

SR: Now what band’s national or local, do you not only respect for there creative accomplishments but for their business success? The public seems to condone “selling out” or creating material for pure sales, although in perverse way it has worked for some. How is it that bands or artists stay ‘true’ to the music and not the business?

BB: Now that's a touchy subject.... Selling out, I think is when you are only in it for the money... JUST the money.... Which is appalling to me... That would be just as bad as selling your ass on the street... Just for the money... If you're not writing music for the music itself, I don't care how much money you make from it, if you make a million dollars on 'crappy' music that doesn't mean a thing, and then you are a successful business person, not a successful musician.
But back to the question... there's so many bands that I would give props to that I won't name one over the other... I'll just say any band/artist that plays true heartfelt music that actually means something. I respect that more than any dollar amount.

SR: Looking back to before, beginning the “eternal life” project, what were some of your misconceptions or beliefs about the recording process, if any? Not everyone is aware of what actually takes place before a cd can be played in a home stereo. With that said, now that you’ve been through the process, in addition to understanding the ‘how’ it happens, what as an artist have you taken away from the experience? …Besides that I can be a hard ass about when you smoke and what types of beverages you consume on vocal tracking days!

BB: (laughs out loud) Besides that? Nothing. ...I'm just kiddin'.
I thought that recording was a lot easier than it really is... I've recorded some stuff before, but I didn't realize how many times I would have to do certain things (like sing a single phrase) over and over and over before I actually got it right... But even more shocking to me was how much time goes into production of it, mixing and mastering and all that stuff that makes a good recording great...

SR: What was your favorite part about the project? Completing the project, doesn’t count either. I imagine that there was one part or a day that is more memorable than the others…With that said, how would you describe the sound of the cd.

BB: Two days come to mind... Setting your yard on fire on the 4th of July, and the day we got Heather Raye to sing the 'girl' backup part in Confession. When she sang her parts, I don't know, it just kind of came together... I stopped thinking of this as a project and started thinking of it more like a mission...
The sound of the cd... wow... tribal... [Long pause] and emotional... This is the first cd I've ever done with original music and had it come out not just as good, but better than I had ever anticipated. I am truly overjoyed.

SR: Alright can I ask the typical interview question?

BB: umm.....no. I’m kiddin’ again... sure, go ahead.

SR: Why title this cd “eternal life”? What is the meaning behind it? I’m hoping that it’s not because its sound good…Something tells me, there is more than that.

BB: Good question.
There's definitely more than that to the title... I have a tattoo that says 'eternal life' on my arm written in my own form of angelic script. No I don't believe that angels need to write anything, I just saw the script in a book once and noticed its beauty, and I thought it was appropriate. The tattoo’s meaning is the basis for the title of the cd... It's a reminder that your life is important, it's too short to waste time, and eternal life is the reward for doing right (I'm Christian)
So it's kind of like my permanent post-it to remind me why I’m doing this.
I named the cd 'eternal life' because long after I’m dead and gone, part of me will always be there for anyone that still wants to listen.

SR: Do you have a particular song on the cd that you enjoy listening to more than the others? Curious, does your selection differ from favorite original that you play out live? If they are different, which song do you enjoy performing live the most, original or cover?

BB: My fav to listen to is Confession... even though you told me not to, I listened to that song before it was finished over and over... every time I hear it I get chills all over... it's the song on the cd that expresses exactly the emotion I felt when I wrote it. (Props to Garrett Bissonette for the guitar stuff)
My fav song to play live is without a doubt Collapse. It’s got so much energy. That song is the closest song to sex that I've ever written... don't even joke that collapse is only 3 minutes and some change... stop laughing.

SR: Last question, I promise. If you walked into a 7-11 what would you head to first? Would you get a Slurpee, Nachos, Starburst or something else? I know, I know, its not related to the conversation, but this is what truly makes journalism…”the facts”!

BB...damn I’m hungry...
That would vary from day to day.... today... I feel like beef jerky... the shit is nasty but for some reason I get the craving for it from time to time... I’m a go get some now... Peace.

End