“We play for the audience of one but for the movement of millions.” Music with a message is what Burning Tree Project is all about.
Having previosuly joined a gang aged 14 and used drugs at 16, frontman Enik Lin has described Burning Tree Project as the story of his life. He has since turned his life round and he and the other members of the band, Steven Delman, Justin Whitesel (guitar), PRD (bass/vocals), AJ Deleon (keys) and Jon Espy (drums) are playing music shaped by their experiences.
We caught up with Enik to find out more about the band’s upcoming plans and more.
How did you guys get together?
Well, around the time that I started BTP, I had just straightened out my life. I really wanted a way to reach out to kids that had gone through similar troubles and the only real tool that I had was music so I asked my friend Tim if he wanted to start a band with me. Tim has long since moved on with his life (laughs).
Your current release ‘Time and Color’ came out a year ago. How do you think you’ve developed musically since then?
Well, I’ve always been an electronic head. When we were writing Time and Color, we incorporated some of it but still held back. Everything that I’ve been writing recently has been basically everything that I wanted to incorporate before but never did.
What does music mean to you?
Everything. It’s my language. I can communicate so much better through my songs than I can standing having a conversation with you.
Where does the inspiration to write music come from?
Mine comes from life. Everything that I’ve been through, go through, what I see others going through. God, love, and life.
What’s the most important message in your music?
That there’s always a way. Life may be hard, but there is always a positive solution and to be encouraged. The only reason that I do this band is because I love you and I believe so does Jesus Christ.
Can you tell us more about ‘BTP TV’ ?
BTP TV is supposed to be our video blog. We haven’t done a very good job at updating it but we wanted to constantly keep in contact with our fans through it. Now, I have to go update it (laughs).
You have a very loyal fanbase. Why do you think you’ve built such a strong relationship with your fans?
We take time to write emails back, Myspace messages back. The reason BTP exists isn’t for ourselves but for our fans. If I just wanted to do music for myself, it would be much more chaotic. But I can honestly say on stage, “Hey, I wrote this song for you.”
Now, whether or not every song relates to everyone, well that’s a different story. But we make a very strong effort to keep in contact with everyone.
What are your current and future plans?
While I was writing new songs for BTP, I realized that a lot of the songs that I was writing didn’t fit into the BTP mould so I started my new project IAMMEDIC along with my good friend Sean Stopnik (formerly of Rock Kills Kid). I haven’t been this excited in a very long time. Expect music that will slap you in the face and make you dance.
