Check out a new interview with Elmer Martinez, frontman & guitarist of indie rock newcomers Brave Season below. While you’re here don’t forget to check out the free download of “Good Son”, the first track off the band’s newly released EP, Foreigners, which is available now.
Being a fairly new band, & probably unknown to many of our readers, can you give a short history of the band up to this point?
We formed in the summer of 2010 after Haden and I decided to start a band with a buddy of ours. After a year of writing, playing local shows, and lineup changes we found Auston and Carson in October and finished up the songs that would be on our record Foreigners.
Who are the various members of the band and what instruments do they play?
Haden Barrow is our drummer, Carson Mitchell plays guitar, and my name is Elmer Martinez and I sing and play guitar.
What is the significance, if any, to the name Brave Season?
We didn’t set out to have a name with a deep meaning or anything but to me it’s sort of a reminder that this time in my life isn’t going to last forever and I want to enjoy being in this band with my friends.
You guys are from Marysville, CA. Is there a steady music scene there? Have you done much touring around California & beyond?
The scene here in Marysville/Yuba City is mostly dominated by metal bands so it isn’t as easy to get on local shows or get a lot of support. But the people here in town that do support us and listen to our music are amazing and we truly appreciate everything they do for us.
Apart from local shows around the area we really haven’t ventured out far and done any touring.
Describe your overall sound.
I would describe our sound as a mix of pop punk rhythms with indie melodic elements. We kind of just wanted to write music that we would like to listen to. 
Who are your biggest influences?
The band as a whole doesn’t have many bands that we can all agree on except maybe Underoath, Lydia, and My Chemical Romance. Personally I am the biggest fan of The Killers and everything Brandon Flowers puts out. Carson and I are really into Circa Survive and Coldplay. Haden and Carson like metal bands like The Devil Wears Prada and Haden and I like From Indian Lakes.
You recorded your debut EP, Foreigners, with Dryw Owens. Tell us about the recording experience. Did he influence you at all while in studio?
Working with Dryw was a great experience! Anybody thinking about working with him should know that he will make you work hard and get the best performance out of you. I think his influence was in the tasty bits that he suggested we throw in and the parts that needed to be taken out.
Since you recorded last November, I assume the assume the songs you went in with weren’t new. Do you have any other material written that wasn’t put on this EP or have you guys been writing since recording?
Yeah Haden and I had written a few songs before meeting up with Carson and our former bass player Auston Duggins (who left to serve in the Army) but the songs on the EP are what we felt best fit together and represented our sound at the time.
The new material we have been writing is definitely a progression from the songs on the EP.
Let’s talk about your songwriting process. Is the song writing (& lyrics) in Brave Season a group effort?
Most of the time I’ll come in with some ideas for songs and we’ll flesh them out as a band. I wrote the lyrics on Foreigners but that doesn’t mean that it will continue that way.
Is Brave Season is currently a part-time gig for you guys? Would you do this full-time if the opportunity presented itself?
We would definitely pursue Brave Season as a full-time venture is the opportunity presented itself. We are definitely trying to move in that direction. We’ve recently started working with Secret Service Entertainment and they have some cool stuff in the works.
Any upcoming tour dates we should take note of? Are you guys hitting any festivals this summer?
We are planning on playing some festivals this summer. I can’t really say very much about that right now but I’m sure you’ll be seeing us around.
Who are a few bands that you’d really like to tour with in 2012?
Well I would love a chance to tour with Abandon Kansas. We’ve played with them a few times before and I think it would be cool to talk to Jeremy and Brad about our favorite albums by The Killers every night. Also From Indian Lakes of course.
Do you consider Brave Season to be a ministry or Christians who play music?
To me it is a ministry because I feel called to be a musician and a communicator of the gospel. On the other hand I understand that a band does also function as a business. I’m never going to deny or belittle Christ or his message for any financial or social gain.
What are some goals that you guys have for 2012 and beyond?
We are working on filming a music video for one of the songs off of Foreigners in a few weeks and hopefully another one in the summer. We’re going to be busy writing for our next release and We plan on doing some touring in the summer and playing some festivals.
Anything else you’d like to share with our readers before wrapping up?
Please download our song “Good Son” for free and please share our music with your friends!