Brandon Wronski of Eye Alaska is a nice guy, in more ways than a guy his age should be. A deeply set view of almost Buddhist beliefs and calm, stop you dead in your tracks. He’s definitely a ‘pay it forward man’
Eye Alaska a band formed in 2006 is currently on the world’s most diverse tour. Pac Sun has assembled Eye Alaska, Innerparty System, POS and Saosin to cross the country spreading a potpourri of sound.
I met up with Brandon Wronski the mastermind behind the band at the Toads New Haven CT stop of Pac Sun. Upon meeting him I was first taken by his poise. He was gracious and kind escorting us to a private room and closing the door.
According to Wronski, in the Aleutian language to “Eye Alaska” means, “to look to those too which the sea breaks against” thus learning and looking up to those who have gone before you. Making you stronger through others………OK right off the bat I’m thinking this guy is not your average indie rocker.
Shattering the compartmentalism of indie music, well actually ALL music, is exactly what Wronski is about. A heavy Motown croon with layers of strings and sound certainly place him somewhere other than the spectrum that label entails. As a matter of fact, Brandon stated simply there is no longer ‘rock and roll’ and ‘rock and roll is dead’, that all forms of music have since been blurred thanks to genius iPod settings, shuffle and tours such as Pac Sun. People no longer have to stay in the realm of rocker, punk or hip hop, or country but rather transcend all divisions. Is this possible? The music industry without labels? What would the Mods and Rockers think?
Wronskis voice is a soft supple almost funky sort of white boy soul; a blend of influence but just enough diversion to not be categorized as R&B.
Brandon stated he had a horrible voice in his high school days and he and band mate Cameron Trowbridge would get constantly harassed in their intitail band attempts. Blogs were started with the sole intent of discussing how bad his voice was. Never a give up guy Wronski would end his school day with 8 hours of hard core practice, bedroom recording, and writing, to master his now powerful and intricate vocal “I don’t have an ounce of talent but I have a ton of drive”.
Saosin, headlining band of the Pac Sun tour, was a huge influence during those days.. now Brandon is playing with them. Cove, lead singer of Sasoin shared his fears and insecurities with Wronski, humanizing his idols. Brandon states he would go see them as ‘ a little kid’. Considering that Saosin has been around since about 2003, Brandon was in fact just a kid. A kid with a vision and some hearty determination.
Along with the grand thoughts of a untied musical front is the knowledge that Brandon and Eye Alaska actually care more about the world at large then most up and coming bands. A unique backpack is created for specific headlining shows and sold at their merch table, the proceeds going to World Vision, a Christian charity assisting children in under developed countries. This organization was chosen because “we wanted to know where the money was going and to be able to know the impact of it” “Some organizations you can give your money to but you can’t see the effects of. By sponsoring a child we can write letters to him and maybe hang out with him’ Brandon stated he wasn’t in it for the “accolades or commendation.” Take that Bono. Eye has already earned enough in backpack sales to sponsor a child, Abdu, who Wronski hopes to meet some day. “We want to use the band for greater things. The band can be a platform for good’
Ok shouldn’t he be drunk and smashing something? Arrogant a bit?
Eye Alaska’s most recent release, Genesis Underground, is a ‘cinematic’ story with elements of hip hop and some harder riffs. The stand out gut wrencher of “Miles Don’t Mean Anything” apparently is as emotional to its writer as it is to his listeners. The song was not supposed to end up on an Eye Alaska disc. It was in fact written for a girl recorded on ‘a sucky cassette’, wrapped and tied with ribbon to be presented to her. That gift never got delivered. Wronski became somewhat emotional at the thought. I asked if he had it, perhaps this year he would be able to give it to her. He stated that he does in fact still have it but “the time just isn’t right.” He really doesn’t like playing it live, “maybe a home town show but not in Idaho where they don’t know me or the band”. “I want people to sing along. It’s far too personal to be sung to people who’ve never heard us’ ‘Genesis Underground, should run the gamut of emotion it’s really a soundtrack to life, and all the ups and downs’
So who should be the next contender for the RockNYC Bands We Really Really Like?
Jay Z. “Cuz everything he does is great’.
And to those who aspire a career in music final words, ‘surround yourself with good people, people who care’ Well said. Brandon Wronski cares and I expect him to do great things, hell he’s already done more than most I know.
Comments are closed.