Often, those who tread off the beaten path are misunderstood or mischaracterized and so we asked folks from the community to reflect and tell us about the times they’ve been misunderstood or mischaracterized.

Brave Days

Writing the style of music that we do, we find ourselves in odd positions often. We’re too heavy for the pop punk world, but also too melodic for the heavy music world. It comes from everyone in the band coming from different musical backgrounds, but also merging them in a way that we as a band would want to hear as a listener. The two worlds shouldn’t be in opposition, and it’s honestly so fun to make them blend. At most shows we play, we stand out quite a bit for being melodic and catchy, but also hard hitting and running and jumping all over the place. Read more>>

Ja’Wuan Skinner

I feel like sometimes I do feel misunderstood because I’m not the typical rapper. I’m just me doing me. I had/have family member do their thing in the streets but I was always the fly in the wall with them. They taught me the real world and it’s grimy. You gotta do what you gotta do or you’ll get lost. Read more>>

Aaron Hermes

I have been misunderstood more than once in my life as a native Texan of mixed heritage who specializes in Indian classical music and Ethnomusicology! This is perhaps one of the more entertaining examples: Once upon a time I was on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”, although my music was never aired. It all started one night after surfing classifieds on Craigslist. I noticed an open call for the show taping in Dallas, a mere 3 hour drive, but it was in two days and I thought my chances were slim actually making it happen on such short notice. Read more>>