Brian Winfield and Bandera
Gig Seeker Pro

Brian Winfield and Bandera

Austin, Texas, United States | SELF

Austin, Texas, United States | SELF
Band Country Americana

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Brian Winfield and Bandera Sept. 2010"

Brian Winfield and Bandera

September 20, 2010



Brian Winfield and Bandera is a relatively new band. They have only been together for about ten months. Don’t let the “newness” of the band surprise you. When they get together, they know how to get the audience riled up and ready to dance. They mix Texas Country with Southern Rock to make for one amazing show. Brian Winfield and Bandera consist of three band members: Brian Winfield, Dave Evans (guitar), Jon White (drummer). I had the opportunity to speak with Brian Winfield, where he shared not only why they are so inspired by Texas Music, but the story behind Brian Winfield and Bandera.

As the interview began, the first question I asked was, “What influenced you the most about Texas Music?” He began to tell me how musicians like Pat Green and Cory Morrow made the music so accessible. “If you are good enough and it’s something you truly believe in, then the music is easy to access and get into. I got to speak to Pat Green back in the 90’s and he was easy to talk to, which made the availability of Texas Music that much easier,” Brian replied. Texas musicians are very personable, which does make the availability of accessing these artists easier. This is a huge draw to Texas Music fans.

I delved deeper into his background, eager to learn more about the band behind the music. “When did your band first get together? What inspired you to make music together?” I asked. He said that they have been together as a group for about ten months. Dave and Brian have done acoustic gigs for about three years. Brian wrote original songs and they decided to get a band together and give it a shot after they moved to Austin. “We believe in our music. We were able to do covers, and we just laid it all out on the line. I didn’t want to be 50 or 60 years old standing back, wondering what if. We simply just pursued our dreams.” Pursuing dreams is the Texas way of life and it is especially true if you are an aspiring musician.

Brian is a true Texan. As the interview progressed, which took place via cell phone in his truck, he asked me to hang on a minute while he ordered his dinner from Dairy Queen. While I was waiting to ask him his next question, he was awaiting his Hunger-Buster. After he got his order, I asked him to tell me about the band’s instruments and if they were partial to one particular brand. His answer was no doubt that of a true Native Texan, “We use pretty much whatever is available. Duct tape and bailing wire seem to work well to hold our instruments together. We are not partial to one particular brand, although we would like to be but for now, it’s basically whatever we can afford.” Currently Brian plays a Samick guitar, he did have an Ibanez, and Dave plays a Taylor. Now it was time to find out where this fantastic group enjoys performing.

“Where have you performed? What is your favorite venue?” I asked. They have performed in the suburbs of Houston and also in Austin. “We have performed at the Speakeasy in Austin, Pooties Hilltop also located in Austin, as well as Shiner’s Saloon. My favorite places to play are: Frio Buckhorn located in Leakey, Texas and Billy’s Ice in New Braunfels. Billy’s Ice is a really cool place to play. They have an awesome bartender and a cool manager,” he replied. After learning about the awesome venues that host Brian Winfield and Bandera, I have decided that it is time for me to visit Central Texas and check them out for myself. The next thing I was eager to find out was what music they mostly play.

I asked him what songs they perform frequently and if they ever play any covers. Brian Winfield and Bandera play half covers and half originals in their sets. “We usually stick to the same set list. We play Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Hank, Jr., Robert Earl Keen, Cory Morrow, George Strait, and even some Tom Petty. Dave used to play for a death-metal band in Dallas, so his guitar riffs are pretty quick and rocking. We usually play 70’s and 80’s country.” The most amazing part of this interview was to learn that all three musicians bring different styles to their band, which makes them totally original. Brian is country all the way (however, he called himself a “redneck country boy”), Dave brings the killer guitar riffs (death-metal music isn’t slow), and Jon brings with him some punk-rock to his drum beat. They stay in the competition of the fast-paced music scene by being different than everyone else.

Brian writes most of their original songs. I asked him if there was a particular theme their originals are usually set to and if he thinks these topics will change over time. He told me that most of their originals revolve around ex-girlfriends, heartbreak, and jaded love. “Our topics will change over time as I feel like I am reaching a new chapter in my life. I do not want to be repetitive. Our music needs to vary.” He says that is the most difficult part about writing a song. “Once you get into that certain niche’, it gets difficult to break away. I am best at slow, sad ballads. This music offers so much soul.” Soul, I believe that is what lies in all Texas Artists. This is what separates Texas Music from the rest. These musicians are in it for the heart and soul of the music, not for the money.

I asked him to briefly describe the music-making business. “There is no guide book to go by or step by step process to follow. Everyone takes different steps in this business. There is no set way to do it.” I asked him what advice he would give to others who are starting in this business. “Go out there and find yourself, sometimes you just have to find out the hard way. In this scene, the competition is heavy. It’s tough, it’s hard; it’s definitely not easy. The music industry is a tough grind.” There is so much work involved in the music business. The time away from family, the hours spent writing and perfecting a song, setting up at a venue, tearing down after the show; this business isn’t for everyone. He says, “Enjoy it and believe in your music. You have to or you get burned out real quick from the daily grind alone.”

This next bit of the interview was surprising. I asked, “What are your rehearsals generally like and do you have a set time in which you practice?” His reply to this question had me quite impressed. “We have actually only rehearsed twice since we became a band.” Their approach is definitely different. Basically, they show up to these shows together and just play their hearts out without rehearsing beforehand. He says that since their set-list has not varied much, it makes things easier to hit the stage without rehearsing. He would like to begin practicing at least once every two weeks, but would really like to start doing it on a weekly basis.

Ten months of playing together certainly isn’t long, but their sound is quite amazing. I asked him how their music evolved since they first started playing together. He says they have definitely gotten better as a band. “Being around Dave, he is an awesome guitar slinger, has opened up many musical abilities. We have learned a little more internal rhyme schemes.” I wanted to know what the biggest challenges they have faced as a band were and if they were able to overcome any of these hurdles. Brian said,” Our biggest challenges would have to be girlfriends and practicing.” He said that when he first went into this business, he had this whole outlaw mentality. “I learned real quick that I have to limit myself.”

Being a musician has its rough spots, just like any other job. But, the difference between being a musician and a regular day-time job is that you must learn how to pace yourself and have self-control. Brian elaborated on this a little more. “Whether it be getting enough sleep, having enough money for guitar strings and gas, setting limits for what you can do is important. You have to learn all the ropes; how bars operate, what you can and can’t do at a venue, what your body will allow you to do, you have to limit yourself.” His greatest advice, “Show up sober and then start drinking and try not run up bar-tabs or the money you make for doing the show will go right back into the bar’s hands.” He has learned this on many occasions.

I asked him what advice he had to offer to people who want to form their own bands. Brian said that the most important piece of advice he would offer is to make sure you have a great relationship with all the band members and their family members. “You will all be spending tons of time together, so learn how to get along with each-other. Go play for free. Get any gig you can get. Play as long as you can play as often as you can.” In order to make a name for yourself and your band, you must start out small. Don’t get into this business thinking you are going to be an overnight success. The competition is steep, there are plenty of artists who are amazing and have been playing for years and are still scraping by just to play their music. As Brian said earlier, “Limit yourself.”

The ultimate goal for Brian Winfield and Bandera would be to get a major Nashville recording deal. However, if that doesn’t happen they are happy just playing their music throughout Texas. He doesn’t mind playing regionally in Texas. They are currently working on their label with a publishing company. “We are almost finished with our CD. This is going to be a twelve track CD with all original songs. Half of the CD is recorded in the studio with the other half being recorded in bars.” I asked, “Where can fans-to-be gain access to your music and do you have a website with demos?” You can catch Brian Winfield/Bandera on their website at www.brianwinfieldandbandera.com, via Facebookwww.facebook.com/brianwinfieldandbandera, and on Myspace at www.myspace.com/spoondaddy75. “The CD should be out within two weeks. It will also be available through digital download within twenty-four hours after recording through iTunes.” Fans are able to also purchase merchandise on their main website.

Brian would like to acknowledge and thank the following people: Jon and Gail Winfield (his parents who have backed them financially, physically, and emotionally), Dave Evans and Jon White for following him anywhere, Brad (brother), Bernie May, and especially David Martin (Manger/Booking Agent). “David makes this all possible. If it wasn’t for him we wouldn’t have any of these gigs. He works wonders. We graduated together, he believed in me then and he still believes in me now.”

This was my first band interview and I am more inspired now than ever to gain more knowledge about Texas Musicians and how they click. Brain Winfield/Bandera is an amazing group of talented artists who are just chasing their dreams. They work hard by day, and work even harder at night. They are not rich or famous; they simply are a few of the many faces of Texas Music. You can catch them at Bash Riprocks in Lubbock on Thursday, September 23rd, Frio Buckhorn in Leakey on Friday, September 24, The Old Quarter Acoustic Café’ in Galveston on Saturday, September 25th, and Pub-Fiction in Houston on October 20th. Make sure you get out and take a listen to Brian Winfield/Bandera. Their originality is what separates them from the rest.
- Texas Music Speaks


"HossTheBoss Joe G's May Picks"

Brian Winfield & Bandera – Do You Know Her Name

Brian Winfield & Bandera is an unsigned band from Texas who submitted this tune to Hoss , who passed it on to me. Its great uptempo Country/Rock kind of tune with some nice guitar picking and good vocals. These guys sound like they are having fun. www.myspace.com/spoondaddy75 - HossTheBoss.com


Discography

Brian Winfield and Bandera- Texas Highway (2011)
(5 song ep)
Brian Winfield and Bandera -Memories and Dreams (2012)

Photos

Bio

Bandera, as a band, is a relative newcomer to the Texas Music scene. They blend old school and Texas Country with Southern Rock to give audiences a powerful live performance. Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Brian Winfield is an Humble, TX native now residing in Austin. His songwriting pulls from life-experience and relationships and maintain a sincere honesty that is absent from most Nashville songs. Another Humble native, lead guitarist Dave Evans uses his heavy metal background with lightning fast country licks to create a uniquely Southern sound that separates Bandera from other musical acts. Holding down the rhythm section is the latest addition of Albert Huang, a veteran bassist of the local Austin music scene.(also from the Austin TX reggae rock band Indofin.) Whether rattling the room with a white-knuckle rockabilly jam or providing the heartbeat of a ballad or occasionally making things funky, Albert adds a sure and steady flow to Bandera's brand of country music.