Our Exclusive Chat with The Brilliance

Get ready to meet The Brilliance. We got to talk with John Arndt and can confirm, he is pretty brilliant.

What is the story behind your latest single?
As we are daily bombarded by sensationalist headlines and click bait rhetoric, this song is a protest against statements like: “We’ve never been more divided” and “It’s the end of the world”. It’s about finding a way to let go of the feuds we find ourselves in. Even though we live in a society experiencing untold material prosperity, many of us are overwhelmed by anxiety and depression. World Keeps Spinning is the title track to a grooving, cinematic concept album that dives into our current despair, and searches for reasons to hope.

When did you realize music was your calling?
David and I have known each other our entire lives, and have been playing music together since before we could speak. It has always been a part of who we are! It’s a miracle we get to travel around the world creating and playing music!

How would you best describe your sound?
If Bjork, Elliott Smith, Serge Gainsbourg and Bach came together to make a Sgt. Pepper tribute album. Produced by Jon Brion 🙂

What do you hope listeners take away from your music?
Life is a gift. There are reasons to feel joy, and there are reasons to keep going.

Who are your dream collaborators?
A collaboration with yMusic is a bucket list item.

Is there a possibility to perform your new music live?
Conceived as a collaboration with a University Orchestra and Chorus, we love showing up and playing with large ensembles, but we also often perform as a three-piece with our cellist, Dave Campbell. We will be performing these tunes in a variety of formats in 2020

What are some albums that really shaped you as an artist?
The sonic scope and sheer beauty of Rufus Wainwright’s “Want One” has always been influential. Impeccable songwriting and breathtaking orchestration.

What are some of your contenders for best song of 2019?

Bon Iver – Faith, The light and wonder in this song feels like a breath of fresh air.

Billie Eilish – Bad Guy, I just discovered Billie. What an inevitable force! The understated groove bubbling below her unsettlingly up-close vocal is pop music perfection!