Photo: @andrewlipovsky
Asking Alexandria’s Ben Brucerecently spoke withFull Metal Jackie about his new record label, what it was like growing up inDubai and when we can expect the newAsking Alexandriarecord!
Find out below!
Ben, after starting your own record label earlier this year, whats been the most eye opening thing about being on the business side of the music industry?
Honestly, how fing annoying band members are. Ive just realized all the bullst that our labels have had to deal with over the years of me calling them 24/7 and all that bullst, its the same thing now. I do understand, Im obviously in the band trying to get stuff done. You get excited and you try and get ahead of yourselves, its difficult. Especially since weve signed newer and younger bands, theyre all so excited. Its like teaching them how to walk before they can run. I can understand now why so many record label executives have little to no hair.
You were writing new music while on tour this past summer on the Mayhem Festival. Whats the timeline for recording that new music and releasing the next album?
I spent all summer locked up in the back of our bus writing for the next AA record. I think what were planning on doing, which starts in a few weeks in the UK and Europe, then we come back and Im pretty sure Im not suppose to announce it, but Ill say it anyway. Were doing a U.S./Canada run to close out the year and I believe the plan is to go straight into the studio midway through January and be in the studio all through January, February and March and were aiming for a summer release. So hopefully June or July for the next Asking Alexandria record will be out.
You were born in England but grew up in Dubai. How did living in two different countries prepare you for the experience for being exposed to different cultures as a touring musician?
I think thats one of the best things my parents could have done, unknowingly for me. I was born in England, I left the UK when I was about 6-years-old to move on to Dubai. Funny enough, Dubai is a weird sort of hub. Theres every kind of person imaginable there, youve got your Brits, Americans and Australians. Theres a lot of Indians and Arabs. Theres a huge vast culture shock when I moved there and growing up with all those different cultures being a prominent part of my life has made touring and being a musicians a lot easier. Im a lot more open minded than a lot of people.
People ask me what it was like growing up in Dubai with all the terrorists? Im like, no youre wrong. Thats now how they are. When I travel the world now, going to places like Russia or the Middle East or even places like South America where people dont often go on a day to day basis. Where most people might be kind of weary, Im excited to go and experience new cultures and learn a little bit more about countries and how they live their day-to-day lives.
Check out the rest of the interview at Loudwire