In 2006, Sean Brennan began Yellow Minute,
an experimental electro-pop project that has
since yielded a compelling blend of
high-minded lyrics, wandering rhythms, and
colliding ideas. Brennan and his bandmates
have constructed a soundscape that is as unique
as it is deceptively complex. Brennan's music
succeeds in taking the listener along on a
journey -- one that is always inviting, surprising,
and unexpectedly rewarding.

What is the creative difference between collaborating with others and writing on your own?
This is a tough question because I truly feel that there is a lot of things in common with both styles of
writing. Collaboration is cool for the fact that a lot of work and ideas come from multiple perspectives. But
this is where the Catch-22 comes in. Sometimes, songs are meant to be written by yourself -- it keeps things
malleable to match your vision. I feel a little more free and happy right now to have more audible control.
Sometimes I get in ruts, and I'll just call friends from other bands to come jam with me. And that will never
go away. So, some selected collaboration is good, depending on the songs.

All of the musicians we interview claim that the music industry is becoming increasingly fractured.
In our last issue, Lynn Miles said that "The music industry is eating itself and it's on dessert." Is
breaking into the music industry frustrating, or do you embrace the independence of it all?
The music business is not necessarily eating itself. I think we are involved in a major transition. It's funny
because artists used to complain about how labels were always out to eat them alive ... and eat their kids
too. They were getting robbed by these monster corporations that would give them some fame and 30% of
their earnings. The sunrise happened, and now that sun shines and it's called the Internet. I think for artists
like myself, we have a major advantage now with distribution. If people want to steal my record, I'm sure
they'll be curious to see us live. And, not that it matters, but that's where I'll make my money anyway.
Major labels are for 18-year-old kids who look way cooler than me, and people coldplaying with the idea of
marrying celebrities printed on nickelbacks. I'm already famous on the inside. The music industry is
schizophrenic and I don't trust it one bit. While it changes faces, I will be using the independent route with
my chap the Internet, and small artist-friendly labels.

What is it like to survive a band's break-up?
I felt really liberated when my last band broke up. It was rough because it's a new dawn and it's always hard
to say goodbye to the nightlife. But all in all, it's not so hard, I'm not going to stop writing. I'll know when
I'm in the right band when the longevity unveils itself. People who play together for a long time do so
because they love it. I love it, so I'm going for the gold through the ups and downs because I could die soon.

You're extremely versatile and eclectic in the styles of music you write.
Do you write music based on how you feel at a given moment, or do
you have a specific style in mind when you sit down to write?
My listening is very versatile. I dig on different styles more than others certain
weeks, so I think that contemplates my writing. I'm just trying to be a
surprising person like beck and brian eno and do what I feel for the song.

When/where are you most creative?
I am most creative when I'm in complete solitude. But, as you know Paul, it's
a sneaky devil and creativity can creep up on you anyitme. I have lots of
napkins and guest checks all over my house with things written all over them.

Do you write for yourself or your listeners?
Always for myself.

When you fronted Ember Coast, it seemed like the fans were equally important as the music to you.
Is that a fair assessment? If so, is it still true?
Yes. Fans are everything, man. Of course. I'm a fan of so many bands that I know my role as a fan is
important to them. When appreciation is shown from their end to me personally, it always feels so good. I
will always try my best to just be good to people in general, and when they enjoy what I do and we connect.
It's love.

Describe your personal songwriting process.
I really wish it was more crazy but, literally, I'll get an idea. It's either a complete idea and I know exactly
how I want the song to sound (like "Chapter Two") ... or it's the start of something that will need lots of fun
time. Fun time is just sitting around and messing with every instrument in sight, or playing the song in a
million different styles until things really pocket the groove. Usually it starts with just one voice and a piano
or guitar.

How does a song like "Chapter Two" evolve? What creative road does one of your songs take?
Like I said earlier, it's more just how things fall together. "Chapter Two" was one of those songs where the
beat, guitar, melodies everything was ready to go in my head. And then one day, I was just thinking about
the song and started humming over the existing parts which ended up becoming layered strings. I usually
have a pretty good idea what kind of experimenting can be done to really embellish the existing vision of the
song

What did you take away from your travels in Europe?
Traveling is just the greatest thing ever. I think almost every song on this debut EP will have some direct
correlation with my trip to Europe. I had so many fun times and life changing experiences during my four
months in Europe. One being the lesson of adaptation. Knowing that everywhere I go, I will meet someone
who digs the same music as I, or loves the same thing about life as I do. I know now that if I ever have to do
things on my own in life, I will have a good chance at staying happy.

Do you enjoy spending time in the studio, or do you prefer performing in front of a live audience?
You know to be absolutely brutally honest, I just fucking love music. I'm obsessed with it. Whether it's
playing live in front of crowds of people, or my friends in my room, or in a studio heavily focused and
challenged, I'm obsessed with it. I can't stop and I never will.

For more information on Sean Brennan and Yellow Minute's upcoming EP (due this winter), go here.