After launching their debut single “Hiding Season” in 2019, rising rock group Brave New World have been hard at work trying to both find their sound and make themselves heard.

And with a global pandemic putting their touring plans for 2020 and beyond on an indefinite hold, as well as halting the other plans the band had for marketing themselves shortly after their initial releases, the past year has been anything but smooth.

But now, nearly a full year after the beginning of the pandemic and despite the continued uncertainty of the music industry as a whole, Brave New World are kicking 2021 off with the release of their debut EP Blossom, proving that they have not taken any time off, and instead have been kicking things into high gear.

Featuring seven total tracks, Blossom gives listener’s a look into the band’s journey with mental illness, standing apart from the crowd, and growing up as an “oddball” in the south.

We had the chance to chat with Brave New World’s vocalist Chris Eubanks about Blossom, what the band are up to for the rest of the year, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has effected the band thus far.

You can read our full interview below, and be sure to stream Blossom, available now wherever you stream music.

Second Society Report: First off, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us. I know there is a lot going on right now in the world so I wanted to start by just checking in- seeing how you have all been? 

Chris Eubanks: Thank you for the opportunity!  We’re all well, excited about the upcoming year and what we have planned for phase two.

SSR: For newer fans or readers who may not know the history of your band, how Brave New World come to be?

Chris Eubanks: Brave New World originally started with the rhythm section and our previous guitar player Scott. They wanted to start a project that was reminiscent of Circa Survive. We never quite landed that sound and changed several guitar players before our current lineup. Our sound changed as members came and went and before we knew it we were trying to record something entirely different than what we had initially formed to do, and enjoying it.

SSR: You’ve just released your new EP Blossom at the end of January. How was the process of writing and recording/releasing an album during a pandemic different from prior releases? Did you have to make any major changes to either the production of the album or the release?

Chris Eubanks: It’s been a challenge, but also I’m glad we released it this way. The album itself was such a joy to record. Jonathan Dolese is a phenomenal producer and a pleasure to work with. He’s so focused on nailing the emotional tone of a record. When we finally had the masters we knew we had done something worth sharing and when the pandemic hit we were three singles in and knew that to postpone the piece until it was more convenient just wasn’t in the cards. Overall though the response has been very positive, and that makes all the stress over being unable to play shows to promote the release worth it.

SSR: Out of the seven tracks on Blossom, which track was the most difficult to write? Why?

Chris Eubanks: “Sour Honey,” hands down. It was initially a different track entirely and we were wrapping up the last day of vocals and the song just wasn’t coming together. We decided to scrap it and try to flesh out a new concept in the time we had. The band stayed up all night tracking and I went in the next day with a few ideas for lyrics. We came out with a much better end result so all the frantic energy must have added a previously missing element.

SSR: Alternatively, which track came the easiest or felt the most necessary to share?

Chris Eubanks: The title track “Blossom” was probably the easiest to record, and overall carried a lot of emotional weight. I’d be hard pressed to find a track that felt the most important to share, but that’s largely because that was what the entire EP was about. A chance to talk about things I felt unable to address in open conversation. The whole thing is a therapy session so I guess we over shared in a way.

SSR: The EP touches on a lot of important topics, including mental health and struggling with staying afloat while fighting an internal battle. I firmly believe that bringing these topics into music helps to destigmatize mental illness by reminding everyone that they aren’t alone in their fights. When writing new material, do you ever have doubts about sharing your experiences with these topics? 

Chris Eubanks: All the time, I’m still looking for a point where I feel comfortable talking about struggling with mental illness.  I remember continually asking myself  “Why would anyone care to hear this?”

Then I would remind myself that that question has probably been asked countless times by people feeling the same way, and that was what made saying these things so important.

SSR: Why do you think it is important to share your experiences with mental health battles via your music?

Chris Eubanks: Because the worst part about mental illness is the self imposed isolation that you put yourself through. I’ve been through that and was hoping others who felt the same would feel less alone hearing someone else had gone through what they have.

SSR: Your song “Space Ghosts” also deals with the difficult discussion topic of having different ideologies than the people around you. How did this song come together?

Chris Eubanks: Growing up in the south oddballs stick out like weeds. You tend to gravitate towards one another and there’s an unspoken tenacity and appreciation for it that comes from those friendships. “Space Ghosts” was about those friendships.

SSR: Now that we are about a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, how has the band/your musical endeavors been impacted by the pandemic and the general shutdown of live music?

Chris Eubanks: Well it definitely threw a wrench in our performance schedule. Honestly though I feel like the pandemic just caused us to work harder. It’s made us think about new ways to approach marketing and interaction that we never would have before. So while it’s been a struggle it’s one we’re trying to adapt to all the time.

SSR: What can we expect from Brave New World in the rest of 2021?

Chris Eubanks: Brave New World Phase 2. We’re currently writing the second album, and I don’t want to spoil anything but we’re going to be dropping a lot of content in the coming months!

SSR: I know this time has been especially hard on musicians and the entertainment industry, but do you have any words of advice for fans who are feeling the lack of live entertainment especially hard?

Chris Eubanks: Just because you can’t enjoy live shows doesn’t mean there aren’t ways for you to engage with your favorite artists. Organize Streaming events, setting up donations for your favorite local spot. Share your friends music, support them in other ways until we’re all playing shows again.

You can listen to Brave New World’s debut EP Blossom, out now wherever you stream music, and if you like what you hear be sure to connect with the band via the social media links below.

Facebook / Instagram / YouTube