Surprise Cast #93 The Messthetics (Brendan Canty and Joe Lally)

Welcome to another engaging episode of Surprise Cast. In this special episode, we are joined by Brendan Canty & Joe Lally from the band The Messthetics. They share their experiences, insights, and the journey that led them to where they are today.

Joe, who plays bass, joins us from Petworth in Northwest Washington DC, while Brendan, the drummer ("kind of the band manager), checks in from Wakefield, a suburb of Washington DC. They delve into their backgrounds, sharing childhood memories and how their upbringings have influenced their music careers.

Some of the conversation is structured around Arthur C. Brooks' book "The Build the Life You Want," which explores the pillars of happiness: family, friendships, and work. Joe and Brendan reflect on their family experiences, impactful childhood memories, and how these have shaped their perspectives and music. Joe reminisces about growing up in Rockville, Maryland, and how the cultural dynamics of his neighborhood influenced his worldview. ("A nice enough family...I'm thinking about making a record where all of the songs are named after all of the streets in my neighborhood"). Brendan shares stories of his large, chaotic family ("I was pretty much left to my own devices...I spent a lot of my time running up and down the street barefoot") and how the sense of community and freedom during his childhood contributed to his creative spirit. 

As the discussion transitions to friendships and mentorships, Joe and Brendan talk about the people who have inspired and supported them throughout their musical journeys. Joe highlights the importance of collaboration and the encouragement he received from friends and fellow musicians ("a high school friend who turned me onto punk rock...opened the door to whoa I could be in a band"), while Brendan emphasizes the value of inclusivity ("there are layers of mentors in life") and the impact of being part of a supportive music community ("the scene was really bustling...let's help each other flourish...there was a lot of goofing off...pretty geeky...really fun") in DC. He highlights the mentorship of Ian MacKaye ("he was putting out better and better records...enabling us to put out our own records...incredibly supportive") and the collaborative spirit that Joe brings to their friendship and musically ("Joe is incredibly stable...he builds a really awesome stable structure that I get to jump all over"). 

The final part of the conversation focuses on the work they do, particularly with The Messthetics. They discuss the creative process, the importance of spontaneity ("you can't wait for it to happen"), and how their music evolves through collaboration and improvisation. 

Tune in to this insightful episode to learn more about their musical journeys, the principles that guide their creativity, and the experiences that have shaped their careers. This episode offers a deep dive into the lives and minds of two highly talented and humble musicians. They certainly have "That Thang" going on - we also call that the "it" factor!

Follow The Messthetics:
https://themessthetics.bandcamp.com/album/the-messthetics-and-james-brandon-lewis
https://linktr.ee/messthetics

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