Artist Interview: BrandonxMidas
Get to know BrandonxMidas, the unique genre -blending 18-year-old artist behind the debut single 'Paradox'. In this interview, he opens up about his music, personal experiences, and artistic vision. Trigger warning: discussion of addiction and substance abuse.
Tori: Your music blends hyper-pop with melodic metalcore. What inspired you to fuse these genres, and how did you discover your unique sound?
Brandon: I honestly just used trial and error with the sound of hyper-pop and that melodic metalcore sound that “Paradox” has, and I think it also stems from my love for the bands Bring Me The Horizon, Architects, and Linkin Park, as these bands have done the unique sound in the past with albums they have released.
Tori: At just 18 years old, you’ve already developed a powerful, emotionally charged style. Can you tell us more about how your personal experiences shaped your debut single, “Paradox”?
Brandon: Oh, gosh, so many personal experiences can be tied into the creative process of writing “Paradox.” I suppose my addiction is a major personal experience that helped with the creative process of “Paradox.”
Tori: You mention “Paradox” as being about breaking free from a higher power’s control. Can you explain the story or message behind the song?
Brandon: Absolutely! Paradox is a song that technically has a double meaning. The first meaning is about a king reclaiming his throne after being stabbed in the back by a member of his kingdom so they could join the “Paradox,” which is the higher power. The song’s verses and choruses also give hints that the king could have been associated with the paradox in the past. Then, the second meaning is universal; it can be used in various situations, like I myself say it’s about overcoming my addiction to opiates.
Tori: Your collaboration with the acclaimed Beardfire Music team sounds exciting! What was it like working with such experienced producers and musicians?
Brandon: I absolutely love working with the lads over at Beardfire. It feels more like a family than a bunch of musicians recording a song. I remember during the process of writing “Paradox” in its early days, we threw out a lyric that, if I remember correctly, was “wear a pair of socks,” which was one of the placeholder lyrics for the breakdown in “Paradox.” I adore working with the team at Beardfire; we always seem to have a mixture of being professionals and then having an absolute laugh.
Tori: You’ve described your music as intense and emotionally explosive. How do you channel those emotions into your songwriting process?
Brandon: I write when I am feeling that sad, angry, jealous, etc. way that we all get every once in a while. It helps me de-stress in a way, which may seem very weird to people who aren’t musicians.
Tori: As an artist from Kilmuckridge, Wexford, how has your Irish upbringing influenced your music and artistic vision?
Brandon: Honestly, for this upcoming EP, my Irish upbringing hasn’t influenced my music and vision of the BrandonxMidas Project, but I can say I have written a song that does have some Irish references included in it!
Tori: Just for fun, can you tell me your favorite Irish food?
Brandon: Ooh, what a very tough question! My favorite Irish food has to be an Irish stew.
Tori: Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they impacted your work?
Brandon: Oli Sykes, who is the lead singer of Bring Me The Horizon, Oli is more like we share a personal experience with drug abuse, etc. Then Chester Bennington from Linkin Park and finally Corey Taylor from Slipknot. All three of these men are major inspirations to be both musically and personally. I always wanted to scream like them, show everyone that men having mental health issues need to be addressed in the music industry more often.
Tori: You've recently released your debut single in May 2025. How does it feel to finally share your music with the world?
Brandon: It feels amazing. You know I’m my own worst enemy when it comes to my own material, but if it wasn’t for the support I got from Rohan and Al at Beardfire, my family, and then my incredible friends within the industry, such as Fee Gray, “Paradox” would not be available for the fans to listen to. So, I owe a massive thank you to them all.
Tori: You mentioned that “Paradox” marks the beginning of a new chapter for alternative heavy music. How do you see your music contributing to this new chapter?
Brandon: I see it getting more people into listening to the alternative/heavier genres of music, and hopefully, more people will start creating more music.
Tori: What challenges did you face while creating your debut single, and how did you overcome them?
Brandon: I actually had a chest infection during the process of writing and recording “Paradox,” which is why I did not want to perform it
Tori: Do you have a dream collaboration or artist you’d love to work with in the future?
Brandon: Absolutely, Ailsha is a major artist I would love to work with in the future. I feel that our sounds are very similar, same with screams, so it would be an incredible track. I would, of course, love to collaborate with Oli Sykes and Corey Taylor, but I cannot see that happening just yet. I’d also love to collaborate with other artists who work with Beardfire.
Tori: Beyond Paradox, what can fans expect from your upcoming music? Any hints about future releases or projects?
Brandon: I can officially say, without leaking much, that the “Paradox” EP is nearly finished lyric-wise. Singles 2-3 are finished lyrically; they should be out January-March of 2026. I’m just waiting to write the final song for the EP, as that has a feature on it. My incredible artist, who is a very good friend of mine, and I want to write it together, and I have a feeling it might be my favorite track on the EP.
Tori: What do you hope listeners will feel or experience when they hear your music?
Brandon: I want them to feel welcomed into the kingdom. Like I said, my music, especially “Paradox,” can be used universally in many situations, so I want them to know that they have a song they can really stand by and say, “I’m glad someone wrote something about this topic,” etc.
Tori: How do you stay true to your artistic vision in an industry that’s constantly evolving?
Brandon: I guess I will eventually do what musicians do and evolve with the industry. I suppose us independent artists who aren’t signed to the major labels must sacrifice certain things within the ever-evolving industry.
Tori: Finally, what advice would you give to other young musicians who are just starting out and want to make their mark in the alternative heavy music scene?
Brandon: Don’t let anyone bring you down. If you like what you make, then so be it. But also listen to your peers when they give you creative criticism; it will help you down the line. More importantly, just be you. Don’t have an ego when you are just getting into the industry; it really won’t help you. Also, network, go to shows, meet fellow musicians, learn from what they are putting out, and always be kind to others.
Disclaimer: This interview is property of TunezandTrendz and may not be sold for financial gain or published outside of this website without consent of the owner. All photos are copyright of BrandonxMidas and his team and used with permission! All links mentioned on this page are publicly available!
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