Although the Utah County area is highly saturated with musicians, Brendon Nielson has captured our attention. It is human nature to want to know what truly makes people “Tick”, and Brendon gave us some insight into his world. Below are a few of the (Q & A from our interview). We not only love his music, but we love that everything he does is backed by a cause.
If you could tell everyone in the world something, what would it be?
There is hope in addiction and depression. You are worth every effort for redemption. I would also say that so many lives would saved if we were just willing to get real with each other. Learn to listen. Learn to really care. And learn to talk about your problems. Learn to LOVE. 5 minutes can save a life. I really love what “EMPOWER Slave to None”, the local addiction non-profit that I work with says, “One torch may not light the world, but it may light the fire that does.”
We may not be able to save the whole world, but we MAY be able to help save a friend, or a sibling, who in turn, may be able to continue help saving the people they know. We never know the effect we can have, but if you keep trying, I promise you will see SOMETHING, and that Something will make it all worth it. I hope you’ll listen to my music, and let it strengthen your resolve to Love louder, and to make a difference for change.
I like to think of myself as a social activist FIRST, musician second.
What is a joyous moment that you’ve experienced recently?
Last month, I helped put together, and headline a packed out concert at Velour in Provo, the LIVEALIVE Linkin Park Suicide Awareness concert. My friend Steele Saldutti of VanLadyLove came to me with the idea to raise awareness of the growing plague of suicide, he was inspired by the loss of Chester Bennington. Having lost my mother to Addiction and Suicide at age 11, I was all over this idea and we actually put the whole event together in about 1 week. I was amazed at how quickly the community responded; we were on KSL 5 news, in the Daily Herald, on the T.V., radio, and in the paper. The night of the event, the entire venue was full, singing along to linkin park covers, and healing through the power of music. By the time I got on stage, the place was just filled with optimism, and a desire to go out and love more, be a better friend, and to make a difference in the lives of those that are struggling. I was only supposed to play a couple of songs, but the energy was so great, I ended up playing seven songs. I looked out at those people singing along and realized what a difference we can make with what we choose to spend our time doing. It was one of the happiest nights of my entire life.
Addiction has always been a part of my life, and whether in myself, or in loved ones, it has never really left. I guess could call me “The Addiction Musician”, I want to make a difference, I want people to know that they don’t have to turn to things that will hurt them, to help cover up the pain in their life.
My music is a vehicle for a message… that there is hope, and that people can change. I want to help end addiction, and it’s not as far fetched as it may seem. I believe music can have a massive influence on people, especially when they are younger, so I want to use my talent to help steer people in a good direction.
I have an album due out later this year in conjunction with a local addiction non-profit, it’s all about Addiction.
What / who is Your Biggest Inspiration?
Biggest Inspiration? My Grandparents, hands down. They have spent their entire life serving and helping people. My grandparents took me in, during some of the most difficult parts of my life, and have sacrificed their, retirement, their savings, and their time trying to keep us all afloat. I’ve never met a more selfless and loving couple of people in my life. I just want to be like them. Not a day goes by when I don’t at least get a text from them telling me how much they believe in me and what I’m doing, and how much they love me. I don’t have a bigger advocate than them.
“People are getting tired of losing friends and icons, they are ready to do something about it, and that’s where I come in.”
What is the most traumatic thing you’ve gone through?
Losing my mother at the age of 11 was really difficult, and even 13 years later, my family hasn’t completely recovered. I have tried my very best to make what came out of that as positive as possible. While I could never say I’m glad it happened, I have been able to turn that experience into something good, that I hope will help people. I hope people will observe my pain, and realize what a
decision to do drugs, and go down that path can really do to a family.
Follow the journey of our new favorite artist, and stay tuned for his debut tomorrow – We are not only excited for his new debut, but we are truly excited for his success.
If you’d like to support the cause, join the MVMNT on https://www.empowerslavetonone.com << We will be covering the Empower MVMNT soon, so stay tuned.
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