Personal Blend took some time to answer our questions and tell us about their music. Let’s see what they have to say!
Q: First off, What’s up with your name? Is there a story behind it?
A: We were in the process of just starting the band and we needed a name.Our one bandmate was going to purchase some bud from his guy at the time. Our bandmate says “Let me get this, that and the other one.” The guy goes “Nice! You have your own Personal Blend there.” And thus the band name was born.
Q: Tell us about your musical past, would you tell us about your early years?
A: Well I was playing in metal bands from middle school through junior high school. Started picking up reggae music in the second half of my junior year of Highschool and would eventually play in 3 bands within 5 years before we started Personal Blend. Had some time to really get in touch with the reggae style. I learned as much as I could about the history and the scene before making the music in PB that would stick and really mean something to people. I always believed the intention around the music was important.
Q: How would you describe your sound?
A: Roots reggae back beat, pop driven melodies, driving ska and rock rhythms with some conscious lyrics.
Q: Which artists have the biggest influence on your sound?
A: Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, John Brown’s Body, The Movement, Slightly Stoopid, Academy, Spiritual Rez, Groundation.
Q: What’s the last song you listened to?
A: More Love (feat. Jesse James) by DENM
Q: What’s your source for hearing new music?
A: Spotify or going to live shows to experience new bands
Q: Who is your dream producer?
A: We’ve worked with Matt Goodwin with Riot City Sound and Jocko with More Sound Recording Studio. We’re big fans of the work they do for our region in the WNY/ CNY area. We’re definitely interested in working with some of the other talented producers within this reggae scene as well. Hoping to have the chance to work with Johnny Cosmic, Howie Spangler, EN Young at Imperial Sound Studio, and so many other artists lending a hand with the production process.
Q: If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
A: Elliot Martin from John Brown’s Body
Q: What led you to music, and what motivates you to keep making it?
A: What led me to music was a means of expressing myself when I didn’t know how else to and also the brothership that coincides within the band dynamic.
What motivates me to keep making music is the fact that life is always growing and changing. I’m trying to evolve into my best self and I still feel like I have something to say with my music.
Q: Tell us about the songwriting process. How does it all come together?
A: Usually sitting on the couch with my acoustic. I’ll think about what’s going on in my life currently and what kind of song I want to convey. I’m always trying to add new elements into my music. Usually I’ll have a vocal melody which leads to a complete chorus and I’ll write the rest of the song around that main theme.
Q: How do you connect with your audience? What is the easiest way for them to connect with you?
A: The easiest ways to connect with the crowd is looking at them and engaging while you’re playing. I like looking around at the crowd and seeing how our music is bringing joy to people’s lives in that moment. Also just talking with people at the merch table after our set. I get a lot of enjoyment making connections in those ways.
https://www.facebook.com/PersonalBlend/
www.instagram.com/personalblend
Q: What’s next for you?
A: We’re trying to set up some show runs with other bands of our stature and beyond. We’re starting to play bigger shows and getting more attention regionally. It’s what we’ve been working towards.
Q: Anything else you’d like to add or let us know about?
A: Even though we just released our “Inhale & Release” EP in February (which we’re happy has gotten such a great response), we’re already getting new material together in hopes of recording again this year.
Bio:
Personal Blend is a Rochester, NY-based 7-piece reggae-rock band with pop driven melodies and ear catching hooks. PB’s first full length album, “Skin Deep” was released in 2016, following that, the EP “Ride”, and in 2019 released “Heavy Currents.”
Having recently celebrated it’s 10-year anniversary, Personal Blend has just dropped it’s 4th release titled “Inhale & Release”. With new blood added to the band, Personal Blend is breaking boundaries, bringing the party to the masses, and coming to a city near you!
