Meet Ian Colin | Singer/Songwriter/Multi-Instrumentalist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ian Colin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ian, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
This is most likely the most common thought a creative person has. I think it first depends on why you’re doing what you’re doing—and having realistic goals. I haven’t hit the threshold yet of giving up. I’ve continued to grow as an artist and I feel a rush every time I’ve created something that feels new to me, whether it’s a song that is more commercial sounding or a song that takes more risks. I don’t think I will ever give up. I would love to make a decent living from the music that I and my band create, but there’s something more that drives me. The feeling of creating something that not only resonates with yourself but with other people is profound. The connection that it gives you to another person feels very personal. I know when I listen to the music I love, I feel tethered to it in so many ways, whether it helped me get through a difficult time or just calmed me down during traffic. If I can at all create something that gives someone similar feelings, then I see no reason of giving up. But who knows, I could just be an addict. There are definitely worse things to be addicted to than being creative.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

The thing I am most proud of with the band is our ability to change our sound and grow while still sounding like “us.” I’ve been playing guitar since I was eleven. I honestly can tell you I never would have expected that I would not only be the frontman of a band but also that I would be creating the type of music I do today. I wanted to be the next Eddie Van Halen. When I realized that wasn’t going to happen, I let go and allowed my playing to have its own voice.

When I started Mourning Bliss, I was just about to give up on music. I had been sick of trying to find other bands in Houston that truly spoke to me that I could be a part of. I also became tired of trying to find singers for the instrumental music I had been writing. It wasn’t until I decided to become sober that the lyrics came to me for the song “The Safe.” It felt like it was out of nowhere. All of a sudden I was writing music in a genre different from any that I had done before. And it was also the first time I decided to dig in and become a singer.

There have been so many challenges. The doubts, the insecurities, and the constant questioning of if what I’m writing will even connect with anyone. Not to mention doubts about whether or not I should be the singer of this project. Then after writing, recording, and releasing my first album, there was the question of, how will I do this live? Do I even want bandmates? And how involved do I want them to be? The lesson I learned along the way was to go with your gut. Don’t waste time on something that feels wrong just because it may be more difficult doing it yourself. If you don’t have the right people in your group, you’re doomed. That leads me to the next big thing I learned: no matter what you’re going through, you have to show up. It’s no longer just about you. It’s about your bandmates, your team, or whomever you’re working with. Don’t waste their time or yours.

Hmm. I guess I would want them to know that you should keep pushing. Accept your talents and allow them into the world. You never know who might hear or see what you create. Furthermore, you don’t know how much that may impact their lives. As far as our, or my “brand,” I honestly feel like we’re still trying to find out what ours is.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I absolutely love this restaurant in my neighborhood called Harold’s (in the Heights). It’s amazing. That would be a must. I’m kind of the wrong person to ask. I’m kind of a homebody outside of the band and work. When I do go out I like local pubs. I love main street. We would definitely have to check out Notsuoh, in whatever capacity they still operate. It’s honestly one of my favorite places ever.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

Wow! That’s a difficult one. I’ve met many people that have left a huge impact on me. My brother for one. He’s an extremely talented songwriter. He got a guitar shortly after I bought one. This of course annoyed me a bit. I figured sports was his thing, so music would be mine. But, as we grew older, I saw how he took to songwriting and creativity and it truly inspired me. I eventually was in a band with him. We were getting places. But, due to never having a steady drummer, my brother decided to move on from music. I was upset for a while about it, but I realize now that I’m blessed. I not only learned a lot from his songwriting, but I also would never have started Mourning Bliss had our band been successful. He also introduced me to so much music that ended up being some of my biggest influences.

Also, one of my best friends Michael Scrutchin. He was the first person I showed the first Mourning Bliss song I wrote. His reaction may single-handedly be the reason the band exists. Then there’s Steven Trimble, who is not only a phenomenal artist but also a musician. His project Saturn Will Not Sleep is fantastic. His work ethic has been a huge inspiration and he has been there for me through some of the most difficult times of my life.

Website: mourningbliss.bandcamp.com

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/MourningBliss

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqiVBbjLi04I7mpU9T4FQdg

Other: https://withkoji.com/@MourningBliss