Today we’d like to introduce you to Ian Colin.
Hi Ian, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve been drawn to music for as long as I can remember. I got my first guitar when I was eleven. I was in a few bands growing up, but I quickly realized that I wouldn’t always have other musicians to collaborate with. So, I learned to play the bass, drums, and piano. Then, lastly, I started singing.
I first started recording with my first 4-track Tascam multi-track recorder. I started playing live shows at the age of fourteen and have never wanted to stop since. I started my current band, Mourning Bliss, after years of not being able to find a vocalist. Also, I made the decision to become sober, which played a big part. Up until that point, I wasn’t a lyricist or vocalist. I had no idea the project would continue to grow to what it is now.
We’ve since released three EPs, and last year, our first full-length album, “Something’s Wrong.” It did take time to find bandmates who were into what I was trying to do and were also a good fit. I’m very fortunate to have bandmates that I love, and recently I was allowed to write the score for an upcoming short film.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I’ve struggled heavily with self-doubt, mental health issues, and setbacks in general. I’ve gained and lost bandmates. I’ve felt discouraged when things didn’t work out when I felt like they should have. But the biggest blow was when my second band split up. I felt like we were on the brink of reaching a very large audience. It felt like the rug was pulled out from under me.
And, it wasn’t until I started Mourning Bliss, that I realized how grateful I am that it happened. I would have never started writing lyrics or singing had it not been for that. I don’t think I would have ever felt fulfilled creatively in that band. In Mourning Bliss and other music I create, I have limitless possibilities. I don’t purposely put any restrictions on what I’m creating. My only focus when I’m creating something is whether or not it moves me.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the lead singer/guitarist/multi-instrumentalist in the band Mourning Bliss. The electric guitar is my main instrument. But, I’ve been drawn to piano for a long time now. When I’m not working on songs specific to Mourning Bliss. I write many different genres of music. I’ve been experimenting with dance-pop music. That has been very fun.
I’ve also been doing more composition lately. I’ve loved classical music since I was very young. The thing I’m most proud of? I would say. The first full-length album that we released last year, was “Something’s Wrong”. I like the mixture of genres on the album and what we were able to accomplish together as a group.
So maybe we end by discussing what matters most to you and why?
Mental health. I am very fortunate that I learned how to write music and found other creative outlets. Not everyone has something like that. Some so many people don’t have the resources that I do to take care of their mental health.
I’ve struggled with it ever since I was a kid. And, 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year. Before I understood how it was affecting me, I had a lot of preconceived notions about how it affected me and the ways it can affect other people. I would love to be a part of spreading more awareness.
Contact Info:
- Website: Mourningbliss.Bandcamp.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mourning_bliss
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mourningblissofficial/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqiVBbjLi04I7mpU9T4FQdg
Image Credits
Chris Arce
