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From the same day that spawned Doctah J's interviews with Sirena, Too Late The Hero and First One Out comes another band interview: A Breath Beyond Broken. The venue we saw the shows at did a terrible job promoting the show, failing to even mention this band on the bill (as well as another band The December Campaign) so it was surprise to us when we found out that they would be playing as well. I actually learned this on a quest to find a band member from Too Late The Hero (They were running late for our interview, and when we saw a van and trailer pull up, we figured it was them (Seeing as we had already spoken to the other two bands advertised, and had no idea that there were going to be more bands). I walked around to the back of the venue to introduce myself and get a time set up, only to find out that they were, in fact, not the band I was looking for at all. Slightly shocked and embarrassed, I told them who we were, what we did around here, and would they be interested in an interview? They said yes, and as time slipped away from us pre-show, we decided to meet after the show. Except that they live in Mass, and had to drive back that night, so they ended up having to bounce before the show was over. Not to be deterred (I REALLY liked them on stage... I'm persistent when I really like someone) I emailed our interview questions to them, so without further adieu: A Breath Beyond Broken!

"When we get up on stage and people see 3 burly men, Seamus and Sarah, people don't really know what to expect and I think they become interested."
- Tyler: A Breath Beyond Broken

For our readers who don’t know who you are, could you please introduce yourself and what you do for the band?

I'm Tyler and I play guitar, do vocals and have a beard.

How did A Breath Beyond Broken come to be, and where did the name come from?

Well we're the combination of 2 defunct bands/close friends who wanted to be more serious about being in a band and wanted do more with their music. As for the name, I came up with it and I don't even know if the rest of the band knows what it means, but for me it simply means despair or defeat. Being just one step past the point of defeat. Being a breath beyond broken.

What are some of your major influences when writing music?You're based out of Mass. How is the local scene there? Did you find it particularly hard to crack into?

We're kind of in a tough spot being from northern Massachusetts. We're too far away from Boston or Worcester to really be a part of those scenes, besides they're mostly hardcore(which we all really appreciate and enjoy though) and the scene we're closest to and are probably considered a part of, is the southern New Hampshire scene which has really gone down hill within the last year or so. We won't get into any details about that though.

What inspires your lyrics? Is there one specific lyric that means the most to you?

Our bass player Bryan is our main lyricist and for the most part our lyrics can cover anywhere from the loss of friends to religion to simply being yourself. I can't really pick out one lyric which means the most to me personally but in general I'm really proud of our lyrics as of recently because they have become very honest and personal. We're not just writing groups of words that don't make any sense and simply "sound cool".

What kind of message are you trying to get out with the band?

Our message has always just been be yourself and be original. Don't fall into the mindless trends and patterns our society and even the music scene adapts. We also don't drink or do drugs and although we don't consider ourselves straight edge, that's definitely something we stand for.

For those readers who haven't seen you play live, can you describe your live show? What gets the best reaction from the crowd?

Well I'd have to say our live show is pretty energetic and I'd like to think both our music and our stage presence is what catches peoples attention. I definitely think having a female singer gets people thinking as well. When we get up on stage and people see 3 burly men, Seamus and Sarah, people don't really know what to expect and I think they become interested.

What has been the biggest moment for the band? What has been the biggest challenge?

I'd definitely say the biggest moment for the band thus far was our tour this past summer. It was our first tour and things went really well. It was really refreshing and encouraging to see how awesome the scenes are in other areas. On the same note I'd have to say our biggest challenge is our local scene. People aren't very open minded around here and we're trying do something a little different so that can definitely be tough.

For the kids out there with bands of their own who are trying to crack into the industry, do you have any advice or words for them?

Try to do something original and play music that you truly love. Don't try to be just like anyone else. Really try to carve out your own style.

The music industry is a rough one to be in, What fuels your passion to keep going?

The music. We don't play for anyone except ourselves and that's something we can always do regardless of where the industry takes us.

So what can A Breath Beyond Broken fans look forward to in the future?

Well we actually have an EP which we just finished recording and that should be out within the next few months.

Here at the Sound Faction we are five of the most random people you will ever meet, so we like to end our interviews on a less serious note with five random questions. Are you up for that?

Haha of course. If you get to know us we're some of the goofiest people ever.

If you could pass a law for the world, what would it be?

Haha I honestly don’t know. That’s too tough of a question.

Which is worse, cheeto fingers or juice mustaches?

Easily cheeto fingers.

What girls fashion trend confuses you most?

Ugg boots. At least for me personally.

Who would you want to win a date with?

Probably Zooey Deschanel.

Who smells the worst in the band, and how often to you feel the need to spray them down with Febreze?

Haha without a doubt Seamus and we feel the need to do that every time we see him.

And here's your shameless self-promo spot: anything you'd like to add about yourselves, the music, or anything else?

We'd just like to thank you very much for taking the time to talk with us and we'd like to tell everyone to keep an eye out for our upcoming EP which should be out within the next few months, check out our myspace myspace.com/abreathbeyondbroken and check out our upcoming shows.

Super huge thanks to A Breath Beyond Broken for talking to us, and not being TOO weirded out when a stranger approached them in the back of a shady venue. If you guys want to listen to samples of their music, hit up their MySpace page at myspace.com/abreathbeyondbroken!