Mike Hranica (The Devil Wears Prada//God Alone)

Most musicians in the world toil in obscurity - hoping that anyone at all will find and resonate with their music. For those select few who do achieve some level of success via their music, they quickly become part of a machine focused on touring, album cycles, support acts, and management companies. So, for the established artist, they long to be creative without restrictions and baggage from expectations from their fans and the music business that sustains them. I discuss this dichotomy with Mike Hranica, the lead vocalist ("screamer" lol) from The Devil Wears Prada (a band with a lot of fans, and thus a lot of expectations) and God Alone (a band that purposefully defies expectations). We also discuss how he views discipline - or lack thereof - in his creative process, and how he scratches various creative itches through different outlets. Check out more from Mike here:Instagram: @mkhrnc//@tdwpband//@godaloneband  Website: www.mikehranica.com//www.tdwpband.com  Twitter: @mkhrnc If you're enjoying the show, the best way to support it is to share with your friends. So pass it along! If you don't have any friends, why not a leave a review on iTunes? It makes a difference in terms of other people finding the show. Show Notes[02:01] Establishing rules in creativity and having obsessive tendencies - and finding the appropriate balance in sticking to the record and improvising live  [20:39] Balancing a breadth and depth of music consumption, and finding the right amount of focus to kickstart creativity  [33:00] The process of maturing creatively and developing better songwriting skills - and which influences still hold up as an adult.  [45:15] The ridiculousness of backing tracks in contemporary metalcore and the real-life consequences of selling out (or not selling out)  [50:59] Finding a creative outlet with no expectations in God Alone and a censored YouTube video  [01:00:09] Do writing lyrics and writing prose scratch the same creative itch? And how do lyrics "fit in" with God Alone or The Devil Wears Prada?  [01:12:09] The opportunity cost of maintaining relationships - and how to decide which relationships are worth maintaining  [01:18:24] Starting a coffee company - and what people mean when they say a coffee is "bright" or "fruity"  [01:31:54] Getting in touch with your sensory experiences via things like appreciating coffee, appreciating guitar tones, and meditation. And the physical toll that touring takes on the body. Links and Resources Mentioned The Jesus Lizard The Tick (1994 TV series) Josh James Andy Nelson Bricktop Recording Julien Baker Julien Baker "Sour Breath" (Live on KEXP) - YouTube The Devil Wears Prada "Sour Breath" Hate Force James Pligge Interview Drew Brown (@from_my_stacks) Vastum Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything by Joshua Foer Stephen King Norma Jean Norma Jean "O' God the Aftermath" Curl Up and Die Every Time I Die Lagwagon Black Sabbath Silverchair Silverchair "Frogstomp" Radiohead The Jasta Show Hatebreed Slayer War "Lowrider" American Pie Electrical Audio Sanford Parker Steve Albini Adam Sandler "Do It For Your Mama" Happy Gilmore Happy Gilmore knocks off Chubb's hand and truck runs it over Billy Madison Nick Cave Grinderman Charles Bukowski Chicago Music Exchange Handlebar Restaurant Metric Coffee Vans Shoes | The Devil Wears Prada The Devil Wears Prada Coffee Collaboration | Metric Coffee Blue Bottle Coffee Folgers Coffee Intelligentsia Kickapoo Coffee Madcap Coffee