Today we’d like to introduce you to Brinley Amicon.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started playing guitar in 2014, as my mom found a Groupon code for a new music school in South Florida. I always had extracurriculars I was good at, but nothing I was enthusiastic about. Walking into the lesson with my Costco acoustic guitar, I told my teacher, Justin Hucker, I wanted to play Rock N Roll. He quickly asserted I would need an electric guitar. To my luck, I found an Ion Audio electric guitar in my family’s junk closet. The guitar was P.O.S., boasting two strings and tattered wood. Nonetheless, it was an electric guitar.
Two weeks after my first guitar lesson, I attended Aerosmith and Slash’s “Let Rock Rule” tour. This concert was pivotal, it “kicked my ass into high gear.” After that show, I picked up the instrument and never put it down. Infatuated, I immersed myself in Rock N Roll and Blues— from the music to culture itself. It became an extension of who I was and am. With that, in 2017 I moved to Los Angeles, pursuing my college education and music career.
Today, I am an endorsed artist, representing companies such as Ernie Ball, Jim Dunlop, Pariah Pickups and Coffin Gear. I have been fortunate enough to be reposted by Gibson Guitars and a whole slew of guitar pages. Throughout the years, I have been involved in several projects: tours, side projects, documentaries, guest appearances, showcases and professional industry work (synch licensing, management, etc.). In 2014, Ali Quinn and I created Los Angeles hard rock – blues band, 79. I consider 79 to be one of my greatest accomplishments, in which I perform the role of lead guitarist and manager. The dynamic between Ali Quinn, Johan Carpenter and I is unmatchable. Discussing all of our achievements is another conversation, but what I can say is expect an eight-track album late 2020/early 2021.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road is never smooth, that is almost a naïve assumption. To be quite frank, Rock N Roll is a man’s industry. Electric guitar is a man’s instrument. Female instrumentalists are not held to the same performance standard as men. Female instrumentalists are not respected to the same degree as men. Post-performance, common phrases female musicians hear include, “You play pretty well for a girl” or “I was not expecting that from you.” Female musicians are consistently expected to lead their career with sex opposed to talent— this is beyond belittling. I am not talking about sexual expression by choice, I am addressing the whole “let’s make up for her lack of musical talent by making her body the focal point.” The industry often uses “Hey, women can rock too” or “girl power” as selling points. Although this is initially seen as positive and are definitely important concepts, it actually further isolates women from the rest of the industry.
We are often put in this box, where the expectation is that the absolute best we can come up with is a I – vi – IV – V progression. Business-wise, women are presumed to have minimal knowledge; as a result, women are often swindled or cut second-rate deals. As a female instrumentalist, I hold great importance to changing these stereotypes. This, by absolutely no means, is an “I hate men” banter. That is not the case whatsoever. Rather, this is a “why are female musicians treated differently than male” conversation.
This is the time to lead conversations. It is pertinent the music industry not only provides female musicians with opportunities but also ensures safe environments. Given that we are beginning the road to venture equality, the road will not be smooth. Nonetheless, it is a step in the right direction.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
My main project is 79. As previously noted, 79 is a hard rock – blues band, created by Ali Quinn and I, in 2014. The current lineup consists of myself (lead guitar), Ali Quinn (lead vocals/keys) and Johan Carpenter (bass). Currently, drummers are hired as seen fit. Giving a little bit of background, 79 set their standards high while channeling the attitude and style of icons from the 60s to the early 90s. Each composition 79 releases encompasses a vintage feel and can be described as middle ground between the blues and hard rock. To give the most up-to-date information, this is what 79’s 2019-2020 has looked like thus far:
Recorded at Sunset Sound, 79 released “Bring it Through” in February 2019. This single has acquired more than 5,000 Spotify plays. Following the release of “Bring it Through,” 79 was invited to play the Peppermint Club’s Top Four Bands in LA showcase. This event occurred in March of 2019. Headlining Loyola Marymount University’s annual Recording Arts Festival (April 2019), four groups then approached 79 to be their final senior thesis for a Recording Arts degree. Additionally, within April of 2019, 79 was featured in magazines such as BuzzMusic: Top 50 Hits. August 2019, 79 was approached by prominent industry figures to which we have been collaborating on several projects; With the help of these industry veterans, 79 plans to release an eight-track record late 2020/early 2021. November 2019, we began production for the private event, Not in This Lifetime: Presented by 79. Taking place on February 8, 2020, the event was entirely self-funded. With 350+ RSVPs and 250+ attendance, we received an overwhelmingly positive response with high demand for a follow up event. January 2020, 79 was approached by a filmmaker to produce a documentary, regarding 79 and Not in This Lifetime: Presented by 79. Following Not in This Lifetime: Presented by 79, the Peppermint Club approached 79 regarding hosting the follow up event. The Peppermint Club trusted us enough to curate the lineup ourselves, along with the event time, date, etc. Due to COVID-19, we were forced to postpone the event. With COVID-19 constraints, 79 is using the remainder of 2020 to finish and record our debut album.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Right now, my priority is to finish writing and recording 79’s upcoming album. In conjunction, I plan to continue growing as a guitarist, advocating and making steps toward establishing a name.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Nikkie Marie Photography
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