By Nicholas Jason Lopez
Vulnerability was one of the prevalent themes throughout Brian Bulger’s sophomore album ‘Dissolve,’ as the musician sought to share the journey of his departure from evangelicalism and how it helped him overcome an abusive father, anxiety, depression and deep religious traumas in order to become a new person.
An emotionally thorough storyteller at heart, Bulger’s sound generally fuses elements of indie, folk and pop. In the universally praised single “Bad In A Good Way,” he transitioned more towards the direction of alternative-pop singer-songwriter and less folk-inspired.
The Music Bugle had the chance to talk with Bulger about ‘Dissolve’ and more.
Music Bugle – What was your goal for your single “Bad In A Good Way”?
Brian Bulger – I wanted to express my experience with leaving evangelical Christianity, how the culture harmed my brain and taught me hundreds of ideas I’m still trying to disconnect myself from. However, it’s also about how the “deep end” allowed me to build something beautiful from everything I tore down.
Music Bugle – How did you entertain yourself while in quarantine?
Brian Bulger – Hanging out with my wife and son, writing songs about weird things I don’t understand and playing Apex Legends.
Music Bugle – Did the music video for “Bad In A Good Way” come out how you hoped?
Brian Bulger – Yes, even better than I had hoped! Micah Coss captured the “dirtbag salesman” story perfectly and it’s scary, funny, offbeat, wholesome and uncomfortable all at once. It tells the story I had in my head.
Music Bugle – What excites you the most about your style of music?
Brian Bulger – My songwriting is the driving force for what I do. My genre and style will ebb and flow, but my songwriting will always be the anchor.
Music Bugle – Which of your songs were the hardest to write?
Brian Bulger – Probably the ones about my own depression and anxiety.
Music Bugle – How have you been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?
Brian Bulger – Haven’t played many shows in the past few years, so I’ve committed much of my time to writing and making music with my friends. I hope what I’m doing is setting my future self up for success!
Music Bugle – Where do you go when you need a break?
Brian Bulger – My couch. So comfy.
Music Bugle – Who are you listening to right now, music-wise?
Brian Bulger – Watchouse, Mt. Joy, Leon Bridges, and Leif Vollebekk.
Music Bugle – What’s something that people might be surprised to know about you?
Brian Bulger – I’ve lived in 22 different houses in 24 years of life.
Music Bugle – What’s a quote that motivates you to keep doing what you do?
Brian Bulger – “Don’t ever, for any reason, do anything to anyone for any reason ever, no matter what, no matter where, or who, or who you are with, or where you are going, or where you’ve been… ever, for any reason whatsoever,” from Michael Scott.
