by Helen M. Ryan
Sam Endicott appears calm, despite the fact that thousands of people are waiting in the amphitheater just outside.
With less than two hours to go before stepping onto the main stage, The Bravery frontman and songwriter relaxes in the tour bus, strumming quietly on his guitar. Having just returned from an unscheduled trip to the Apple® store, Endicott is dressed casually in dark colors, with lightly shaded sunglasses and sporting bare feet.
Music seems to relax him. Holding a guitar while answering questions, it is an apparent extension of who he is. Fans of the indie rock and electronica band would be surprised to learn that growing up there was no music in Endicott’s household. When he was 12, Endicott finally began tuning in to the radio. “It blew my mind,” he says. The future musician then started listening to various types of music and playing guitar…and knew he wanted music to be his job and his life.
Endicott met keyboardist John Conway in college where the pair played any and all music and venues. In the early 2000s they relocated to New York where they were joined by fellow bandmates Michael Zakarin, Mike Hindert, and Anthony Burulcich.
The Bravery’s latest release, “The Sun and the Moon Complete” continues to embody that fearless sense. The CD’s tracks (including their oft-played “Believe”) are presented differently on two CDs: one has a more produced sound and a lighter feel; the other is a darker, re-imagined version of those same songs.
Being open-minded and early pioneers in debuting music electronically proved to be key for the band. In this brave new technological world the music industry is changing, much to record labels’ chagrin. For artists, though, “there are a lot of outlets for music that were not there in the past,” notes Endicott. “TV shows, movies, internet, video games.” And, he adds, “Watching a band online will never be the same as watching a live show.”
As The Bravery finally takes the stage, the second to last act before Linkin Park appears, the audience roars their approval. Obviously familiar now with the group’s music, old and new fans dance and sing along, easily worked into a frenzy despite a long day under the hot Southern California sun.
The Bravery is comfortable on-stage with their latest project. And it shows.
Visit https://www.thebravery.com for more information.