Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bridles. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Bridles, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

A friend once asked me, “<i>Haven’t you practiced enough?</i>” This question helped me to start creating and stop just practicing. Later, I realized that creating was the <i>real</i> practice. This shift in approach exposed my gaps in understanding and guided my path through the nebulous, multidisciplinary art of music. There is no right way to understand or interact with music. All that matters is what comes out of the speakers. Neither music theory nor audio engineering is <i>essential</i> to creation, but that both are <i>important</i> — so why choose just one? I chose both, and not just because my favorite albums are the fusion of the two, but because each path is hard, and I can get stuck. The journey is infinite, and all that matters is taking another step forward, anyway you can. Having multiple synergistic paths that benefit the primary goal while exercising different skills means you always have a way around roadblocks. – Member 2 (Andrew)

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

“Bridles is the alchemical pairing of electrifying grooves and high octane sincerity. Brought together by mysterious happenstance while sailing the seas of Craigslist, the duo now conjure healing waves for cleansing wounds of the past. Member 1 vocally identifies ethereal entities for which Member 2 may transmute into corporeal form. Bridles will take you on a journey through a musical substrate of synthetic bass, guitar, and machine drums.”

In 2022, I had a notebook full of lyrics and a mission to make an album. Without the musical knowledge to bring my songs to life, I decided to post an ad on Craigslist in search of a producer and collaborator. Within a few weeks, I received a response from Andrew. His passion for music was clear, and from the start, I knew I’d hit the Craigslist lottery. Initially, the goal was just to make an album, but we decided to take a different path and become a band.

Andrew took on the task of going through all my voice recordings and composing music for them. To build the foundation, he started with acoustic guitar, which allowed us to dip our toes into performing by attending open mics in Seattle. By that fall, we took our first musical vacation, where he composed and programmed all the electronic instruments we would use for live shows. In February 2023, we played our first show and ended the year with a total of 15 performances. That fall, we also released our first single, “Lonely and Scared,” while working hard behind the scenes on recording our album.

In the summer of 2024, after countless hours of dedication, “Visions of Future” was released to the world. My dream of making an album had come to life, and I am incredibly grateful and proud of what we created together. One special aspect of our project is that we are entirely DIY. Andrew’s bedroom became our studio, and he was not only our producer but also our audio engineer. Over the years, he had acquired a range of instruments, gear, and, most importantly, knowledge, which meant we had everything we needed at our disposal.

In addition to Andrew recording, mixing, and mastering our album, we handled all the photography, album art, and even made our first music video. It feels deeply rewarding to have complete creative control over our art and the freedom to express ourselves without constraints. – Member 1 (Kara)

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

From the start of this project, we aimed to convey a positive message through our music and art. Although many of the lyrics touch on struggle and sadness, they evolve into an epiphany of hope, offering listeners a connection to their own challenges and a sense of not being alone. In 2019, I discovered ecstatic dance and learned how movement can be medicine for the body, mind, and soul. It was important for me to find a producer and collaborator who could translate my emotions from these songs into music, creating a world where one embarks on a journey of self-discovery and emerges with a deeper sense of connection and a desire to live as their true, authentic self. – Member 1 (Kara)

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The process of creating art is an experience in itself. When creativity flows freely, it’s like planting a seed. Bringing that idea to its final form requires planning, attention, patience, and many hours of work. As with any project, unforeseeable obstacles often create roadblocks along the way, making the growth process difficult and challenging. By working through these issues and removing what no longer serves the project (think of pulling weeds), you’re able to nourish it in a healthier way. With this expanded space to root, you allow it to grow into what it truly wants to become, not just what you think it should be. This is the true beauty of creating, and the reward is the beautiful bloom of everything you put into it. – Member 1 (Kara)

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @bridles_band
• Youtube: @bridles_band
• Other: Bandcamp: bridles-band.bandcamp.com
  TikTok: @bridles_band

Image Credits
@houndsoflovephoto, @wgeschke