Music Q&A with Nic Lussier and Charlie Dahlke of The Brazen Youth
Photo by Sophia Ragomo
Connecticut trio, The Brazen Youth, released their EP, Changing, last month! In this Q&A, The Brazen Youth’s Nic Lussier and Charlie Dahlke talked about the EP, their favorite album, who’d they haven’t seen in concert that they’d like to see some day, and more! Changing is out NOW!
Congratulations on the release of your EP, Changing! With COVID being part of the picture, how do you feel it affected the creative process and making of the EP?
Charlie: We had a very tight bubble of basically just the three of us. We didn’t see anyone else except our families. Stopping wasn’t really an option, because getting back together was so complicated during the peak of the pandemic. We just fully dove into the project without distractions.
Nic: Pretty much what Charlie said, it was pretty amazing to dive into this project with minimal distractions. There was nothing to do besides make music all day and all night. Pretty awesome.
What is your favorite song off Changing?
Charlie: My favorite song is usually our most recent one, so right now I’d have to say “Changing”.
When did you realize you wanted to create music?
Charlie: I’m not sure, but I was bad at listening in piano lessons and I had a teacher who helped nourish my creative spirit. I’ve been writing songs since I was around 6, and by 14 or so I never thought of doing anything else.
Nic: I grew up in a musical family, so it was always just there. I think I started writing songs when I was in first or second grade. Taught myself a few piano and guitar chords, and then started really getting into it when I was like 10.
What is your favorite album of all time?
Charlie: Currently it is Third Eye Blind’s self titled.
Nic: Maybe Solipsism by Joep Beving. It’s this beautiful solo piano album, and it’s the one I always return to. I probably listen to it like five times a week.
What is one artist or band that you haven’t seen in concert, that you hope to see someday?
Charlie: Everyone in the band has seen Big Thief except for me. I’d like to change that.
Nic: I’ve also never seen Big Thief in a formal concert, only in a small Q&A setting — which was insanely magical by the way. I think my dream concert would be Adrianne Lenker, Twain, and Radiohead. What a show that’d be. I would cry for sure.
What is your favorite thing about making music?
Charlie: The unexpected paths it can take. And just acting on your intuition to make a song. The unpredictability of it is so cool.
Nic: That it doesn’t need to have direction or intention. Or that one song can take many forms. I think it’s really cool how some of our songs have evolved from when we first wrote and recorded them a long time ago, into the songs we still play live today. They change with us!
What's the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?
Charlie: “Don’t stop!” - someone’s dad at every show.
Nic: When you’re playing with other musicians live, look at their hands. Keeps you together.
We all have our days where it may not be going as well as we’d like. People deal with their worst days in different ways. What helps you get through the bad days? How do you stay positive?
Charlie: I just try to remember we’re out here making music. You never know when the “peak” of your project will be, but there’s so many great joys along the way you just have to take in.
Nic: Going for a trail run or listening to “Harvest Moon” or “I’ll Follow the Sun”. Those songs always calm me down.
Thank you for taking the time for this Q&A. Any last words or final message for the readers?
Stream Changing!!