Behind The Stereo with The Anix

Yeah, I’m Brandon, AKA 'The Anix', and this is Behind The Stereo. 

Q> How did you find your musical style?

Brandon> I was based on my early influences in synth-pop music. New Wave, kind of Depeche Mode, The Cure, New Order, that kind of music. And as I kind of grew up and got more into grunge, like Nirvana, Soundgarden, Silver Chair Bush, Smashing Pumpkins, it was the fusion of those two worlds that I wasn’t really hearing on the radio. And it was an interesting combination. 

Q> How did you come about your artistic name “The Anix”?

Brandon> I got the name “The Anix” a few ways. One was I was really into the short four letter words. My favorite movie was Tron, and also favorite bands back then were The Cars, The Cure, you know the “The” and then a short punchy name. I wanted a name that sounded like it described the music. So even if you read the name and saw the logo, you had an understanding of what the music might sound like.

And there was a synthesizer in the 90s Yamaha made called the AN1X, which was this analog modeling synth, one of the first of its kind. So it was bridging this world of digital and physical instrument together and the name was AN1X. So I kind of just took that and turned it into a full world and ran with it. 

Q> Tell us 3 words that describe 'The Anix' as an artist.

Brandon> Mechanical, Holographic, Human.

Q> How did you first get into music, and what inspired you to become an independent artist? 

Brandon> I first got into music because we had a guitar in the house and a drum machine. So, when I was 11, I started trying to figure out how to play guitar on my own, just by listening to my favorite bands, and I just got used to how it sounded. Playing guitar with a digital instrument driving the backbone of it. 

Q> If you had to choose 3 items to take to a deserted island, what would they be?

Brandon> A guitar, there’s no batteries required. I would take a solar power charger, so I can charge things. And then, the 3rd item would either be a laptop or a sound machine.

Q> Do you have a favorite song you’ve worked on? Can you tell us the story behind it? 

Brandon> I think a favorite song of mine is called Die With You, I filmed a video for that song basically on my own during the pandemic. This song itself is kind of the ideal comfort zone for me writing wise. Super simple, very minimal. It’s driven by an electronic beat inspired by Daft Punk. The reason I like this song is because I think even if you don’t speak English, you don’t understand what I’m saying, you can listen to it and feel what I’m trying to get across. 

Q> One of your songs is called “Vitamin D”. Among these 3 items that have vitamin D, choose your favourite: Avocado, Salmon, Egg. 

Brandon> Without a doubt it is avocado. I eat avocado pretty much every day. 

Q> What is your favorite part of being a SoStereo artist? 

Brandon> The amount of production companies we have been put in front of, like massive. Some of my favorite brands have had my music put in front of them and been in consideration for some pretty major spots. So it’s very motivating, and when I’m writing, I always have that in the back of my mind. This you know has potential to reach an audience that I would never even dream about. So, it’s great. 

Thank you for watching, listen to my music on SoStereo.com 

See the full interview below, and listen to his music here.