My Broken Integrity channels raw emotion and resilience with their latest single, Empty Walls. Blending alternative metal and metalcore influences, the track tackles isolation, mental health, and autism awareness, delivering a powerful and deeply personal message.
1.
"Empty Walls" delves deeply into personal themes of isolation and
resilience. Can you share how your personal experiences influenced the
songwriting process for this track?
I would say
with the songs I've written, especially with this one, it's giving me the
opportunity to express myself in a way that put me in a different light than it
would whenever I'd try. Like there are moments at college, uni or at
workplaces, where I feel like I'm not worth anything, like I'm expendable, and
that they would treat me differently compared to everybody else.
2. Your
music combines influences like Howard Jones, Killswitch Engage, and Dir en
Grey. How do these inspirations shape your sound, and how do you balance their
impact with your own unique voice?
So, with
Howard Jones, he inspired me based on how he carried Killswitch Engage at the
time, which is important for black representation in the metal scene. Well, to
me at least. *laughs* I guess, being able to tap into that potential initially
before I had assistance with my vocal coaches, including Soren of RMT Vocal
Institute, to establish and improve my vocals. That and many people believed
that I sounded like him. *laughs*
I would say
for the atmosphere of this track that Dir en Grey has influences in, one of
their tracks, 予感 (Yokan), was how the clean guitar
faded in and the rhythm of how it was played in The Final. There are metalcore
elements of this track that derives from Killswitch Engage. But it's more
focused on the alternative metal aspect compared to my previous release,
Obsession.
3. The
message of mental health and autism awareness is central to this single. What
inspired you to use music as a platform to address these important topics?
That's a
good question. Umm… Initially, this song was to voice out MY personal
frustration and anguish from how people doesn't seem to get me and how they're
quick to judge me. Though, I've wanting to put this as a forefront because
men's mental health is often overlooked and dialed down as an outlook of
weakness in masculinity, and with Autism, we're easily misunderstood, barely
given the opportunity to explain our actions, and prone to persecution
Now, I cannot speak for everybody who's on the Autistic Spectrum Disorder and it doesn't excuse us from not being given the opportunity to make amends for our actions, but it's quite asinine that society aren't willing to do their homework to help provide a better space for us.I dunno what the outcome will be, but hopefully it will be another highlight into those matters.
4. The
recording process for "Empty Walls" seems emotionally intense. Can
you elaborate on how revisiting your past during the breakdown section shaped
the final track?
It's not
entirely revisiting the past, but it's more about just how it felt overall.
It's throwing my all into the breakdown that took an emotional toil, hence why
I saved it for last in the recording session. And honestly, if you'd see me
perform live, those emotions are still prevalent, but just toned down a bit.
*laughs*
5.
Working with Marcus Osei Kingsley, Takeshi Tokunaga, and Joshua Taylor brought
a wealth of talent to this project. What was it like collaborating with them,
and how did their contributions elevate the single?
So first of
all, Marcus has been absolutely loyal by sticking with me when he found on Join
My Band since 2019, and I cannot thank him enough. As a guitarist, he's
absolutely talented and hard working who also shared our love for Killswitch
Engage! Being able to work with him to collaborate with my tracks has been an
absolute godsend.
With
Takeshi-san, we've been good friends for a while. Though that was when I've
heard that he had done some work with producing other bands. E'spirt D'air is
one of them as their bassist. This wasn't the first time I've utilised his
expertise. He produced the last two tracks, Obsession and 3/11 (A Day to
Remember).
And Joshua?
Well, he's the vocal engineer who made the magic work when choosing the right
gear for my vocals that caters to metal and giving me the time to rest them.
6. You
recorded "Empty Walls" at The Walrus in Forest Hill, London. What
drew you to this studio, and how did the environment contribute to the
recording process?
Convenience.
*laughs* Well, it's more about finding anything that's local to record my
vocals and I suppose being able to support local businesses will benefit them
much more than anything. So, I'm honestly blessed to do my sessions with Josh.
Here's to many more down the line.
7. The
song's lyrics carry a strong emotional weight. Can you tell us about the
process of writing these lyrics and how they connect to your personal journey?
I'd say
it's… like a cry for help in some ways. I don't tend to feel heard in general,
which was what led me to write those lyrics. Though with the final chorus, I
felt that I needed to change how it was laid out instead of the repeated
process.
It cannot
be just me feeling like that I need to continue wallowing within my own
weakness and self-pity, not that I wouldn't discourage it in order to process
how you're feeling. But, it's knowing when you need to stand up again and take
on the bullshit life throws at you before you can make a better life yourself,
y'know?
8. You
mentioned the influence of songs like "Rinkaku" by Dir en Grey and
"Seeing Red" by Architects in the mixing and mastering. How did these
tracks guide the production choices for "Empty Walls"?
So, when I
spoke with Takeshi-san, he asked about how I'd want the drums to sound. It was
an alternative metal track with some metalcore elements. Rinkaku was what came
into my mind, but he suggested Killswitch Engage in terms of the drumming. So
we met somewhere in the middle as I wanted the former as the drums mixing while
I wanted to use the kick mixing for the latter. Takeshi-san gave me a quick mix
of the drums, which I've approved before he used “Seeing Red” by Architects as
a guideline to make instruments sound glued yet separate.
9. Your
music speaks to those who feel isolated or misunderstood. What message do you
hope listeners take away from "Empty Walls"?
That you're
not alone. You will have someone who can understand what you're dealing with or
least make an effort to do so. Your suffering is not forever and things will
get better when you take the right steps to heal yourself from everything.
10. You
hinted at future performances to celebrate this release. What can fans expect
from your live shows, and how do you plan to bring the intensity of "Empty
Walls" to the stage?
Well, if
anybody had seen me perform previously, you'd understand. *laughs* There will
be moments where I will lay it on the floor. Just a fair hint.
11. As
an artist on the Autism Spectrum, what challenges and triumphs have you
encountered in the music industry, and how have they shaped your career?
I guess…
The challenges ate finding the right people who would stick with me. It's also
having faith in my ability to showcase my music for the public yet take on the
criticisms because of how I'd write my music as a solo artist instead of
forming a band like everybody else in the metal scene.
Though,
it's safe to say that my triumphs are being able to perform to showcase myself
and FINALLY, be able to release my tracks! And it's only the beginning for me!
12.
Lastly, what does the future hold for My Broken Integrity? Are there more
releases or projects we can look forward to in 2025?
Yes! Empty
Walls and the last two tracks, both Obsession and 3/11 (A Day to Remember), are
part of an EP that will hopefully, touch wood *touches the nearest wood*, get
released by this year. That being said, funding for this EP is paramount for it
to stand out. Merchandise will be coming soon but I've opened up a donation
link for you to assist me with the production of this project.
If you
enjoyed my tracks and would want to see this EP become a reality, your
donations will be very appreciated and will not go unrewarded! So until then,
stay conscious, Dreamers and Fighters!
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