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White Fluffy Clouds Interview

The following interview is an exchange to ask Brandon more about his first art and writing collection, White Fluffy Clouds. Thanks to all of you, White Fluffy Clouds continues to do very well and celebrates the journals and alone moments Brandon spent on the road touring during the early years of Incubus, and fresh out of high school. Enjoy the moments and check out the book, as it is a great source for inspiration, especially if you are contemplating starting a journal or putting line on a page. Enjoy.

1/ How did you approach the idea of doing a book?
The idea of doing a book sprung a long time ago when I decided that books, for me, were the most important object that I could blog possess. Everyone has something that they covet and go to great lengths to acquire, and mine just happened to be books. So at a certain age and given the circumstances unfolding in my life at the time, I decided it was time to make that transition and take that 'leap of faith.' Create my own books and hopefully pass that mild obsession onto the coming generations that are inevitably losing that great tradition to the digital age.

2/ How did the title, White Fluffy Clouds come about?
I had joking scrawled "White Fluffy Clouds" onto the spine of a sketchbook that I was working in, and when I passed off my works to Mark Murphy, if I remember correctly, he suggested entitling the book said phrase. It felt right and ends up, in hindsight, being very telling of the work in the book. All of which took place when I was a young, naive, travelin' man.

3/ Where did the art work come from for your first book?
All of the work in WFC was done in sketchbooks from directly out of High School and into my first six years on the road with my band. Traveling so extensively at that age gave me a unique opportunity to observe our planet and scribble those observations down in excited haste!

4/ Do you journal everyday or sketch everyday? What is your process when creating some of the work featured in White Fluffy Clouds?
I go through phases of creativity. It usually looks like this: "Nothing, no creative output, more social. Reading and absorbing. Writing down thoughts and phrases and feelings. Less social, less outside influence. Looking deeper into those thoughts and seeing pictures in my mind's eye. Sketching said images over and over. Bringing them to life in large form or song. Letting go of songs and images. Repeat process." Usually in 3-6 month cycles. Does that make any sense? I'm sure that now that I have pinned it down, it'll get restless and change form altogether.

5/ Is there a central theme or concept that you had in mind when you approached the idea of creating a book of your work?
The biggest idea I had in my heart and mind when I decided it was time to create a book was letting go of the images and ideas to make room for new ones. I find that imagery and songs have a life span similar to you or I. It is in it's fledgling, burgeoning stage with me up until it is finished being created. Than like a parent helping his son or daughter pack for college, I have to let go of it and see it off into the wider world. Only then can it be what it is going to be. I have to let go of them in order to understand them at all. Sounds so fucking self righteous, but... oh well.

6/ What was your initial feeling when you held your first book in your hands?
When I held the first copy of the book in my hands I was terrified. But I liked the smell.

7/ Do you have any favorite pages or moments in your first book?
My favorite entry in WFC is "Fear". I think it's kind of funny. But I would, huh?

8/ What was the response by your friends and family when they saw your book?
I think they were proud that I took such a leap of faith. Maybe a little concerned for me because I was putting myself out there so directly. But I am blessed with very supportive parents and siblings. Even when I suck, they still pat me on the back.

9/ What was the response by your fan friends and the industry that you work within when they saw your book?
Even when I suck they still pat me on the back. The difference is, they actually tell me when I suck, but still pat me on the back. I love you guys.

Kind thanks Brandon for taking time out and answering a few questions about White Fluffy Clouds.