Meet the artist: Brad Gilmore

Name:  Brad Gilmore

Band:  Rise of Saturn

Since: 2008

Keys to awesomeness: Gilmore, a familiar face around Dunedin who resides in Holiday, Fla., is a respected comedian, musician and artist. He's preparing for his new band Rise of Saturn's album release party at Gasoline Alley in Largo, a band in which he sings, raps and plays trumpet. Gilmore, along with his band mates, used Kickstarter to fund their new album. Gilmore is a member of the locally well-known Charming Hooligans comedy troupe, and a formerly played in the now defunct Weaksauce.

How did you get started with music?

"I picked up the horn after seeing Spike Lee’s Mo'better Blues. My brother played saxophone at the time and I figured we be co-leading a jazz quintet by our 20's. In fact, until I was around 21, jazz was the only 'real' music in my mind."

Where can people hear you play?

"My band, rise of saturn, will be having our album release show at Gasoline Alley in Clearwater."

What keeps you doing it?

"Music is needed as much in my life as food, water and air. I love performing.   There is a certain energy that happens when you  get up on that stage that can't be explained, only experienced."

What or who are your influences?

"Some of my influences include Dizzy Gillespie, Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, and Charles Mingus. Also Stan Lee, Kevin Smith and Nobou Uematsu."

Is your music open to interpretation?

"I've always found it funny when someone would tell me what the artist was singing about in a song. How can you know what they mean unless they are being literal? But, there are a few song I've written that when interpreted seem one way, but it's completely different, kinda like a movie with a twist ending. Camcorder is a song which seems like an end of the world apocalyptic last man on earth kinda song, when really it's about a man spying on his neighbor."

What advice would you give a musician just starting out?

"Be true to yourself. Pick an instrument you want to play. Sing about things you like, not what you think people want to hear."     

Anything else?

 "Support local music!"