Interviews: The Breathing Method

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Alternative Rock band The Breathing Method from the UK. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name?

The band name actually comes from a Stephen King short story called The Breathing Method which was released in his Different Seasons Collection it is about a doctor telling the story of a woman in the 1930s who is determined to give birth to her illegitimate child, he teaches her “the breathing method” which she uses to deliver her child even after being decapitated in a freak car accident. 

2. Where is the band based?

We are based in Ayrshire, Scotland except for Duncan our drummer who is from the Scottish Borders but we don’t hold that against him.

3. Why did you want to play this genre?

We are all into different types of alternative music from punk, surf, and grunge to metal of all varieties so our music is just a sort of blend of everything that we love, we’re not too heavy and we’re not too light either and that suits us.

4. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

The band was actually first formed way back in 2004/2005 by Jamie and James our 2 guitarists under a couple of different names then Jamie and Scott opened up their music studio 4 years ago and essentially got jealous of all the other bands getting to play live music so put the call into James, so long story short yes and no I suppose is the answer

5. What is each band member's favorite band?

James - Nirvana

Jamie - The Pixies

Scott - Thrice

Gee - Coheed & Cambria

Duncan - Slipknot

6. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

A lot of our songs are basically about life as an adult human being, there’s a lot of relatable content in them, depression, anxiety, asshole bosses, love, and loss so I suppose life and living it is what inspires our songs.

7. Where was your last gig?

We supported Breed 77 at Slay in Glasgow on the 15th of November.

8. Where would you like to play?

Being a West Coast of Scotland band I think the big one for all of us would be The Barrowlands or as we say here The Barras, it’s an absolute mecca for musicians and to play there would be an amazing achievement for us.

9. Who would you like to share stages with?

There are so many to be absolutely honest with you, Therapy? Helmet, Hundred Reasons, Funeral for a Friend, Rival Schools, Weezer,and Jimmy Eat World to name a few

10. Has any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

I don’t think so, I think if you are genuine and your songs are genuine then the audience will feel that so there’s no need to be frightened. Who you are on stage is just you but turned up to 11 or at least it should be. Advice-wise, all we would say is stay calm and live in the moment.

11. Which bands/artists have inspired you the most?

There are genuinely so many from a music point of view bands like Therapy?, Helmet, Kerbdog, Jimmy Eat World, and bands like that are definite inspirations but like we said we are all into so many different types of music that we draw inspiration from everywhere.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Honestly? Probably asked for an autograph, we just see ourselves as 5 guys from provincial towns in Scotland but people have connected with our music live that they have asked us to sign a set list they have swiped from the stage or some item of merch or another. It’s a massive honor when fans come up and talk to us never mind asking us to sign stuff or buy merch and we are always grateful.

13. What do you think of your fans, how important are they to you?

We couldn’t do anything we are doing now without them and that’s the god's honest truth if no one gave a shit then we wouldn’t be busting our asses making the album or going to play to gigs, we’ve been there and played to 4 people and 1 of them is a dog, it sucks! Everything is so much better with our fans in our corner and we love each and every single one of them.

14. What do you think of our website?

It’s excellent, you deliver a platform for bands of all sizes to allow their voice to be heard. It’s so hard in this day and age for bands to cut through the noise and websites like yours allow us to do it so Thank You

15. Anything to add? New music, gigs, etc?

Our debut album “After Everything Else” drops everywhere on the 24th of January 2025 and the pre-sale is live now, people can find it here: https://thebreathingmethod.band/product/after-everything-else/ we also have our debut album launch show at Audio in Glasgow on the 31st of January 2025, tickets will be live for that soon.