Charting at No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February and currently No. 17 on the Top 40 radio chart, Breathe Carolina is taking the spotlight the single “Blackout.”
Members Kyle Even and David Schmitt’s alternative music fuses electronic rock mixed with screamo. After the duo formed in 2006, the guys didn’t become well-known until the release of their 2007 EP, “Gossip.”
With more than 7 million views on the “Blackout” lyric video, the group is getting used to fame. The group also performed on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” before signing with Columbia Records.
Breathe Carolina will co-headline with The Ready Set at The Varsity Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
The Daily Reveille spoke with Even about Friday’s show and the band’s album, “Hell Is What You Make It.”
TDR: What is the meaning behind the name Breathe Carolina?
Even: David had a dream in high school about this lady named Carolina. He saw how crazy his life was. I told him to just chill, like everything is alright. He meditated on it for many years, and five years later, here we are.
TDR: Have you ever performed in Baton Rouge before? What are you looking forward to?
Even: I don’t think we have. We’ve played Metairie and we’ve played in New Orleans. I’m stoked to come to Baton Rouge. It’s all about coming and just meeting new people, you know? I think that’s the most important thing.
TDR: Since you are co-headlining with The Ready Set on Friday, what can the audience expect from your show?
Even: It’s a crazy show. It’s very much a little bit of rock. It’s energetic, too. It twists and it’s heavy. It’s fun. It’s just a super fun show. We just look to stir people up. I plan on stirring up the crowd by being as rowdy as I can be.
TDR: What inspired you to begin a music career?
Even: It’s had its ride. We love being around [music]. … We love failing and then trying to succeed. [Music is] so hard to do. It’s just that thing that we love. Nothing else is better than music.
TDR: What has the feedback been like from the public? What are your music inspirations?
Even: We’ve had fun. We’re not out to be the biggest band in the world or anything. We’re just trying to have to have fun. We have a lot of inspirations. Our list is pretty extensive … Anthony Green, John Mayer and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. The list is just on and on and on. We listen to everything.
TDR: How would you describe your album, “Hell Is What You Make It”? What are your favorite tracks from the album?
Even: It’s just very different. At one point it’s one thing and then it’s another thing. It has many different vibes. You just pick and choose your vibe. I got a couple of favorites. I like “Edge of Heaven,” “Waiting” is sick … and “Blackout,” of course. David really likes that one, too.
TDR: Is there anything else that you would like readers to know about Breathe Carolina?
Even: They can order tickets on Breathecarolina.net. Also, we just set up a Twitter account, so they can follow us at twitter.com/BreatheCarolina.
 
 
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Contact Raylea Barrow at [email protected]