“I was always drawn to music. It just made sense to me, and was like a new adventure with every song I heard.” -Carson Allen

DarkMedia Interviews Carson Allen:

Me Vs. Myself lead vocalist Carson Allen is one of the most well-rounded musicians you’ll ever meet. As a vocalist, a musician of several interments, songwriter and lyricist, he’s a natural born artist who’s been pursuing his dream for as long as he can remember. Now, on the precipice of his debut solo album, and on the heels of the release of his first single, “Believe”, DarkMedia had the privilege of sitting down with Carson to discuss his earliest memories of music, the lineup of his dream tour, and what he’d be doing with his life if he wasn’t a rockstar.

You’re not only a performer, but you write and arrange music — and you do it all so well. What are your earliest memories of music, and at what age did you decide to do it professionally?

While most four or five year old kids were playing outside or playing with toys, I was glued to my little radio listening to every kind of music I could find. I’d air guitar and sing damn near every song on every station. I was always drawn to music. It just made sense to me, and was like a new adventure with every song I heard. Around that same time in my life. I told my mom I was gonna grow up to be a rock star. I started playing in punk rock bands at about thirteen. Started touring at fifteen. Even after my first record deal, and being in a full-time touring band. I still really didn’t get what it was to be a professional musician and how the industry really worked. I moved to LA a little over a year ago and started flying around the country, writing with different songwriters and producers, and really fine tuned my writing skills. And through that it just kind of hit me. This is my job. My passion. My life. My dream!

Each of the bands you’ve been a part of have had their own distinct sound. Are there any genres/sub-genres of music you’d like to try your hand at in the future?

Few people know this about me… But I’m obsessed with R&B! Especially 90s stuff like R. Kelly & Usher. I’d love to someday do a super R&B record!

Your lyrics have positively effected many people’s lives, as they appear to be very personal. Can you describe how the experience of putting yourself so emotionally out there in your songs has been for you?

It’s funny, I’m such an “emotionally sheltered” kind of person. You’ll never see my cry. I dont really talk about how I feel or anything like that. Yet, for some reason, I have no problem pouring my heart out in my songs. I view music like this: People go to church to confess their sins; I write songs telling all the shit I’ve done. It’s like a lyrical confessional.

You’ve played the Warped Tour, clubs on the legendary Sunset Strip in West Hollywood and even a 2012 Grammy party with Me Vs Myself. What venue/event would you like to tantalize next with your musical prowess?

I grew up in a small town in Montana. They have an arena there that I would kill to be able to go back to and pack. I grew up watching artists come through and fill that place. I’d always look around at the massive crowd and think to myself, “One day I’m gonna be the reason all these people come here!”

Your solo single, “Believe”, is nothing short of wonderful. When can DarkMedia readers and fans worldwide expect to hear more solo music from you?

Soon! Verrrrrrry soon!

Since this is a highly paranormal-based website, can you tell us if you believe in ghosts or anything else within the culture of the supernatural? Have you had any ghostly experiences?

One time when I was living on the farm, back in Montana, I randomly woke up in the middle of the night. I looked out of my windows and saw a cowboy walking away from my direction. He turned around, tipped his hat, and walked into the trees. It was surprisingly comforting. I think it might have been my grandpa or someone from my family who has passed before I met them!

A lot of musicians today use gimmicks, whether physical or musical (IE makeup, costumes, auto-tune, etc). What are your views on that?

That shit is a joke. People do gimmicks to cover up lack of something. It could be they can’t write good music, so they make up for it with flashy costumes. They can’t sing, so they lipsync. It’s stupid. Auto-tune was a secret tool to take a close-to-perfect vocal and give it the tiny tweak to make perfect. I insist on only using it when I’m singing super high harmonies. Never on my main vocal. The fact that this is now an everyday word pisses me off. The fact that it’s used for these no-talent ass clown bands as a main effect… Stupid!! Especially these bands that scream their verses all “tough” and “bad ass”… Then have this pussy auto tune chorus that sounds like Cher singing.

You have a lot of tattoos. Can you tell us about your first and if all of them have personal meanings, or are some just for fun?

I’m not the tattoos with meaning type. My first tattoo was “XXX”, which represents Super Bowl 30, Dallas vs Pittsburg. 😉

What artist inspired you to start playing music, and what artists continue to inspire you today?

When I was super young, my brother gave me an MxPx record. That pretty much changed my life and got me started in playing punk rock. But it wasn’t until I heard Third Eye Blind, when I was ten, that I knew I wanted to be a singer. Stephan Jenkins is my idol, and pretty much the only person I give full credit for why I do what I do. They guy showed me that you can write deep, fucked up, dark, meaningful lyrics and deliver them through a pop song!

What would the lineup of your “dream tour” be?

This is out there:
Carson Allen
Third Eye Blind
Goo Goo Dolls
Bruce Springsteen
Sheryl Crow
And John Mellancamp
And maybe Tom Petty 😉

We hear that you like to cook. Is it true, and, if so, what is your specialty?

I love cooking. I either wanted to be a rockstar or a chef. I’d say my speciality would be my desserts!

What instruments do you play besides the guitar?

Piano, drums, bass, trumpet… Lots!

For the readers who like it Dark, do you have a favorite book or film in the horror genre?

Stephan King’s “The Shining”!

In the same vein, do you prefer zombies, lycans or vampires?

Zombies… All the others are just fruity! Especially the vampires.

Finally, where can your fans (and future fans) go to hear more about MVM and your upcoming solo album?

Keep posted On everything “Carson Allen” on Facebook or on Twitter @CarsonColeAllen.

Many thanks to our contributing music interviewers, Annie & Kelly.

(All interviews are the exclusive property of DarkMedia, and may not be reproduced or shared without permission, excepting links to the interview.)

Be sure to check out Carson’s brand new single, “Believe”: