I Prevail Archives - Haulix Daily

This week’s new music recommendations offer something for everyone, from the technical prowess of rock icons to the surgical lyricism of a hip-hop legend.

Life will probably never be the same as it was before the COVID pandemic took the world by storm. Mourning the loss of the world we knew is normal, but it’s important to recognize all the good that continues to exist. Each new week brings us music that has the potential to change countless lives, and this week’s batch of new releases is no exception. There are too many good records for us to mention, but here are five from our clients that we believe everyone should experience.

Ice Nine Kills – I Heard They KILL Live (Fearless Records)

After riding a wave of critical and fan acclaim for their horror-themed record, The Silver Scream, Ice Nine Kills close the most important chapter in their history with a live record. I Heard They KILL Live, a reference to a NOFX live album from 1995, was recorded in INK’s hometown of Worcester, MA, during the last nationwide tour. The theatrics that served as hallmarks of the record and tour production translate well to a live recording, as the band brings 19 songs and frenetic energy to a hungry audience that is more than happy to sing every word at the top of their lungs.

In a year without concerts, I Heard They KILL Live plays like a soothing balm applied to an open wound that won’t heal until live music returns.

Puscifer – Existential Reckoning (Alchemy Recordings / BMG)

Of all Maynard James Keenan’s musical projects, Puscifer is perhaps the most consistently engaging and original. Without taking anything away from Tool or A Perfect Circle, which both thrive on pushing the boundaries of what rock and metal can be, Puscifer is a genre-less beast whose work is more unpredictable than any other group in music today. Existential Reckoning is a mesmerizing exploration of where we come from and what it means to be human. Each track has a unique identity, and they play like individual journeys that combine to create a sonic odyssey that listeners will want to explore over and over again. You cannot fully appreciate everything Puscifer is doing in a single listen, and that’s a good thing. Existential Reckoning is an album you can sink your teeth into, delivering one delicious bite of artistic expression after another until you’re too full to do anything else except surrender yourself to the noise.

Busta Rhymes – Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God (EMPIRE)

Eleven long years have passed since Busta Rhymes dropped Back On My B.S. The world has changed several times over in the last decade, but nobody old or new has been able to fill the void left when Busta stopped releasing records. We can’t say why he stepped away, but if that’s what needed to happen for Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God to come into existence, then it was worth the wait. Across twenty-two tracks adding up to nearly 80-minutes of music, the master of quick-tongued lyricism reminds everyone why he’s among the most outstanding artists ever to touch a microphone. The insights Busta offers on the state of the world, the chaos of being, and the state of hip-hop are what we need right now.

Mr. Bungle – The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo (Ipecac Recordings)

After reforming for a series of concerts at the beginning of 2020, fans everywhere hoped Mike Patton’s band of rock icons and outcasts would have more to offer sooner than later. The group heard their cries and are now delivering The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny demo, a raucous batch of material that is sure to incite headbanging and mosh pits in places where such things typically do not occur. It’s a riot of a record, brash and relentless in its pursuit of something to shake you from the stupor of everyday existence. Mr. Bungle was never for everyone, but Wrath will be a welcomed addition to the band’s far too small catalog for those that get it.

I Prevail – Post Traumatic [Live/Deluxe] (Fearless)

It shook the alternative music community to learn I Prevail was nominated for a GRAMMY in the back-half of 2019. That disbelief was not a criticism of the band, who had the respect of their community, but a compliment. The Recording Academy’s recognition of their talent was a reminder that any artist can gain international attention and success if they write passionately about deeply personal topics. Post Traumatic is a celebration of what is possible when hard work, honesty, and determination collide. The bonus tracks will keep fans champing at the bit for more new music, but those songs take a deep backseat to the live material. Each live cut comes from a different performance where the energy was undeniable, and the group’s signature high-quality production harnesses that excitement into an equally satisfying personal listening experience.

Discover even more new music from Haulix clients by streaming our essential fall playlist on Spotify.

One successful musician explains what it takes to ‘make it’ today

Everyone working in music believes they know a thing or two about what it takes for someone or some group to ‘make it’ in music today, including the people behind this blog. We believe – just like everyone else – that our advice will help you get new fans, engage with those already following, and build a career worthy of your talent.

You know what most of those people, including those working on this blog, have not done? Lead a successful career as a musician.

Brian Burkheiser is another story altogether. One-part of popular alternative rock group I Prevail, Burkheiser recently took to Facebook to shed some light on how he and his bandmates found success in this crazy industry on their own terms. We hung on every word and believe you will (should) too. Enjoy:

So a lot of people always ask me how I Prevail grew so quickly. Here’s my response.

If you want your band to grow and get big, you need to be involved in every aspect of your business and constantly be looking to improve your craft.

Songwriting, performing, social media, marketing, merch, finances, etc. If it’s your baby and you really have a vision, you need to be 100% involved in everything your band is doing. There are a lot of distractions in this music scene and it’s very easy to lose sight of what your initial dreams were when you started your project if you get to caught up in all the outside commotion.

A lot of people will sneak their way in as you grow and get bigger. They’ll tell you what you want to hear in the moment, but then ultimately try to get you to follow their vision instead of yours. Don’t be bullied, if you feel strongly about something, fight for it. The biggest lesson I’ve learned in the industry is that if you don’t fight for your way, you’ll get walked all over. Industry people who are used to pushing artist around will do so if you don’t stop them. Your job is to speak up if you’re not in agreement with something.

At the end of the day, it’s your band. Sure, there are a lot of amazing people you will work with that will help grow your career. But it’s your job to separate the good guys from the bullshiters. Don’t let anyone gain too much control of your business if you don’t feel absolutely confident in them. All it takes is a couple bad moves to bring your band down in an instant.

If you want to continue to grow, never lose your work ethic and continue to grind. There will be a lot of days when you think, “is this worth it anymore?” Well, just know if you can get past those thoughts and keep fighting, you WILL succeed in this industry. Quite a bit I feel mentally and physically fried, especially when I’m out on a long tour. Touring can be a grind, especially when your trying to run a buisness at the same time. That’s where your drive will really get put to the test. How much time are you willing to dedicate to your band?

I’m not saying you can’t have fun and enjoy yourself a lot while on the road, it’s just about finding the right balance. If you are too caught up in the party lifestyle you’ll forget what got you here, but at the same time if you never give yourself a break from the business side and being a perfectionist, you’ll drive yourself mad. It will take some time, but eventually you’ll find the right balance for you.

Now the most important thing about this whole post. Your fans. Always treat your fans right. They made you. They’re giving you a chance to live your dream. Do right by them, and they will always do right by you. I’ve had so many incredible interactions with so many people the past few years and it’s absolutely what keeps me going. I get emotional thinking about how many stories I’ve been told, and how happy it makes me that someone can relate with the same stories that I’ve relayed through my music. Even on your darkest days, just know that your fans will always be by your side. Always be thankful for that.

So yeah, I know that was a novel. I just wanted to get out some advice I feel like I would have loved to have been given when starting my band.

I Prevail can be found on Vans Warped Tour all summer long. You can get a taste for their music below: