Chris Murray Sheds Some Light On His Band Illuminate Me
Illuminate Me is a five piece Thrash band who dabbles in punk rock with a bright future ahead. After signing to Tragic Hero Records the they releasing their debut’ album I Have Become A Corpse in 2013. Whether it be through social media, or social gatherings at shows Illuminate me is hell-bent of reaching as many new fans as possible. Find out what lights up the horizon for the band’s lead singer Chris Murray in the interview below.
Chris Murray: Lead Vocals
By the Barricade: Chris, you found Illuminate Me through online posts. Do you think social networks are still a valid way of contacting your fans, or do you take a different approach?
Chris Murray: I believe touring is a real way to meet new people and interact with them on a day to day basis. For us, it’s been a better route than online social networks. Social networking works for some bands. Twitter and Instagram are awesome. Facebook could be a lot better for bands if they didn’t limit each bands reach and make them pay so much to reach their own audience.
By the Barricade: At what point did you decide to transfer from a trio to a five piece touring band?
Chris Murray: I think once we finished the EP and put it out we realized we needed to hit the road and play as many shows as possible. We are all super passionate about music and making it our career, so it wasn’t a very hard decision for us to make.
By the Barricade: Can you describe Illuminate Me in five words or less?
Chris Murray: Chaotic, Loud, Aggressive, Wild, and Passionate
By the Barricade: You worked with the Jacobson brothers to produce Illuminate Me’s debut EP Crawlspace. What are some of the things you have done differently production wise for the new release?
Chris Murray: for the EP I did all the vocals at home, for the album I did it with the entire band. It was cool to have an outside opinion on everything while we were writing and recording.
By the Barricade: What is the writing process like with the new members?
Chris Murray: A lot more diverse. We all listen to so many different things so it’s cool to see what we all can bring to the table as a collective.
By the Barricade: The band’s new album I Have Become a Corpse features vocal appearances by Garrett Rapp (The Color Morale), Jerry Roush (Glasscloud), and Landon Tewers (The Plot In You). What was it like working with these additions?
Chris Murray: they were all SO down to earth and nice guys! I think it’s a really cool thing to be so known as an artist and still have a level head on your shoulders. We are super grateful to have been given the chance to work with them.
By the Barricade: Is there anyone else you are looking forward to working with in the future?
Chris Murray: I think it would be really neat to work with Chino from Deftones. Or Keith Buckley from Every Time I Die.
By the Barricade: Now that the band’s first studio album is released what are your plans for the immediate future?
Chris Murray: Write new material and tour as much as possible! And meeting as many new people as we can!
By the Barricade: What do you want fans to take away from your live shows?
Chris Murray: We just hope they have the time of their lives and have a lot of fun. We love all of our fans and friends, we just want you to have a good time!
By the Barricade: Is there anything else you would like to say to the readers of By the Barricade?
Chris Murray: Thank you so much for reading this or taking interest in what we do. We hope to see you at a show real soon! And thank you to By the Barricade for interviewing us!
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