Getting to Know… Color Out | Interview 🎤

For the 63^rd interview on the Musical Hype, Brent Faulkner gets the scoop from solo rock project, Color Out (Dave Hedrick). 

“I write, perform and produce all of the songs. [Color Out] initially started out of necessity, because I didn’t have a band to release these songs…” Sigh, when you don’t have a band, what do you do – you do it all yourself!  Dave Hedrick, aka Color Out, has done pretty well for himself in this department, releasing his fourth EP, Perspectives, on March 13, 2020.  Even so, among the goals he shares with The Musical Hype on the 63^rd interview is about his musical progression: “I think for me now, my goal is to continue writing and becoming a better songwriter. I still have so much to learn as a guitarist and as a songwriter.” No need for me to give away anymore previews of the fantastic Getting to Know… Color Out: Interview #63 – you can and totally should read it out yourself!

Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype: Let’s get this started off right. For those who may not be familiar with Color Out, what would you say makes you distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?  

Color Out: I think what makes Color Out so unique is that this is a solo project. I write, perform and produce all of the songs. This whole idea initially started out of necessity, because I didn’t have a band to release these songs. Here we are five years later and about to release a fourth EP, pretty cool.

Faulkner: Awesome! Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did Color Out form and what were some of the goals or the visions you had as a band early on?

Color Out: Back in 2015, I was living in Chicago and was playing in a local band. As we were preparing for writing a new album, it was clear that we weren’t on the same page musically. At the time, I had written “Mercurial”, “Winter Chill” and “Pretense” and had no outlet to release these songs. I made the decision to leave the band and start a solo project, calling it ‘Color Out.’ I had no idea what I was doing but knew just enough to record these songs in my home studio and get them out to the world through this thing called the internet. I had zero expectation early on, I just knew I liked these songs and hoped to share them with people other than my family. What’s funny now looking back is “Mercurial” has turned out to be the most popular song to date. This song was close to just being an idea that was never recorded.

Faulkner: Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting out? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

Color Out: Funny you used the word “Perspectives,” as that is the title of the new EP! So much has changed with Color Out since 2015. First, there is a solid following that is growing each and every day. I am the most proud of this because I do not tour. Which means, the people that are following Color Out on social media or YouTube are there because of the music. I have been blessed with some sync placements as well as writing a song for an upcoming film which has really helped me reach a wider audience. I think for me now, my goal is to continue writing and becoming a better songwriter. I still have so much to learn as a guitarist and as a songwriter.

Faulkner: Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Who would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

Color Out: You know, I get asked this question a lot and I often think back and kick myself for leaving an artist out. I have about five artists that I feel really shaped Color Out’s sound and influenced me in my songwriting. Death Cab for Cutie, Third Eye Blind, The Dangerous Summer, Fleetwood Mac & Yellowcard. Each of these has influenced me in different ways, but I am sucker for somewhat sad/emo songs and no one does it better than Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie. He is an incredible songwriter and I have always admired his style. Third Eye Blind is one of those artists that I grew up listening to and their debut album is still in my top 5 albums of all time. The Dangerous Summer and Yellowcard influenced the guitarist in me and the style of rock that I write more than anything. I love upbeat, high BPM Pop/Punk tracks, and these two are masters at it.

Faulkner: Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

Color Out: This is more embarrassing than crazy, but I did forget the lyrics to “Comfortably Numb” live once. Just went completely blank. This would have been fine had it been one of my songs because most people wouldn’t know the lyrics, but this is one of those iconic classic rock songs that everyone knows, so there was no getting away with it.

Faulkner: Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

Color Out: Great question, but so difficult to answer. Up until a couple months ago it was “Mistaken”. I just loved the raw emotion in this song and how it all came together. My answer now is probably a new song called “Drifter”. I just love this song, the intro, the overall energy and the lyrical content. It’s a classic break-up song with a lot of emotion and I am just really excited for people to hear it.

Faulkner: Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left of center the world should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

Color Out: I was a police officer for five years.

Faulkner: Closing this thing out, what is Color Out currently working on, promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure.

Color Out: I will be releasing released a new EP titled Perspectives on 3/13/20. I am really excited about this EP and the collection of songs and can’t wait for people to hear them. There are some songs on it that I think will surprise some people. There is a song called “Perspectives” that I think a lot of people will connect with. The lyrics tell the story of going out with a significant other or group of friends and not wanting the night to end. This song is about enjoying life and living in the moment. Another track that is very different is “With You.” This was the first song I wrote after having my twin boys and lyrically, it’s one of the most personal songs I have ever written. I never intended to release it as a Color Out song, but I am glad I did as it’s a very special song for me.

Faulkner: Excellent! Thank you so much for sharing taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward. 

Photo Credits: Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype, Color Out