We had the good fortune of connecting with Adam Collier and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Adam, why did you pursue a creative career?
It wasn’t a choice for me. I have music and songs running through through my mind at all times. I became fascinated with electronic music in my teens. The 80’s was a brilliant time for that type of music. I had the opportunity to become friends with many talented musicians over the years. Luckily I clicked with a handful and was able to release music.
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.
I write and produce electronic music. I have remixed several up-and-coming independent artists from around the world. At 18 or 19 I joined an all-synth band called Artemis Parade. This was in 1989. We had some local success in Orange County. After this band broke up, I joined another band called 12AM in 1990. After several lineup changes this morphed into Crush 333. Crush 333 continued to write and record in the 2000s and released a handful of albums throughout the years, was signed to an independent label, and broke up in roughly 2020. Also, a brief stint with MDA in 2017. I then started my current band, BlakLight, with an incredible singer and lyricist, Brian Belknap. BlakLight is my first focus with Brian Belknap singing and writing all of the lyrics. BlakLight has released three full length albums since 2020 with worldwide success. We have the music written for our 4th and 5th albums. I have accomplished more with BlakLight in these 2 to 3 years than any other project. I have also been involved with another project called Beautiful Crisis. With this project, I have released two singles. The lead single, called Beautiful Crisis, with a very talented Canadian vocalist, Ryan Slemko. A second single called Deep has also been released and features the phenomenal vocals of Mark Bebb and a stylish rap by Jipsta. I also have a release this year with SilverScene, my third musical project.. Marie Williamson and Brian Belknap are on vocals. I am proud of all of these current musical adventures. I think what sets these projects apart from others is we are bringing real emotion, real feelings, real heart into the music, every vocal, every musical part has emotional meaning. Not to sound too cliché but, before 2020, with Crush 333, there was infighting that ultimately did not allow us to reach our goals. We produced a lot of music but lost our way. We both wanted different things in the way that the music sounded and was put across to the audience. We did have many, many magical times, but the spark was lost and dimmed to the point of invisibility at the end. I still had a drive to write music though and tried to push through, but ultimately, we imploded. I found out things about myself that I didn’t like, but I also learned how to write and produce better on my own and wouldn’t be at this point in music without those experiences. Today with BlakLight, it is night and day. Brian and I both share a common goal and professionalism. We believe that music can make a difference.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would go to the following places, Balboa Park, The Zoo, maybe a harbor dinner cruise. Check out a band at Brick by Brick.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Their was always a variety of music being played in the house where i grew up. My parents loved country western. My brothers were always up on current music and some obscure artists. My wife, Mendi, inspires me beyond words.
Website: https://www.blaklightband.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blaklightband/
Linkedin: linktr.ee/blaklightband
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlakLightband
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlakLightband
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/BlakLightband
Other: Bandcamp https://blaklight.bandcamp.com/album/the-padded-room Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/6BBGeGqd7UGLYGUT3jryZZ?si=vTVpnXEMSJa91yDFGoJdJA&nd=1