a very rough translation of this phone interview with Brendon in early 2007 (there are a lot of errors lol and some parts of this modern translation are different from what we got with the technology back then, but I'm not sure that it's better):
Conducting interviews over the phone is often difficult because of delays and poor connections. However, the members of Panic! at the Disco are always cheerful and cooperative, making interviews enjoyable. Today, Brendon called from his home to do the interview.
Interviewer:
How have you been?
Brendon Urie:
I've been good! How about you?
Interviewer:
I'm doing well. Thanks for asking. I know you're really busy, so I'm glad we could talk today. What have you been up to lately?
Brendon:
For about the last month and a half we've been taking a break from touring. We toured for over a year straight, so we finally had some time to rest. I spent time relaxing with my family, and I even went to New York for a while. Other than that, I've mostly just been staying at home. Right now I'm mainly writing songs for our next album. I've started putting together ideas, but it's still early. In another month or so, the other guys will get together and we'll start sharing ideas and writing songs together.
Interviewer:
So you're still living in Las Vegas?
Brendon:
Yeah. The four of us—me, Ryan, Jon, and Spencer—all still live in Las Vegas. Our bassist Jon lives about an hour away, though. I've been home for about a month and a half now, so I'm finally getting used to being back.
Interviewer:
Really? Were people around town reacting to you?
Brendon:
(Laughs.) To be honest... I thought maybe I could live a pretty normal life again. And actually, I still pretty much can. It's nice being home because it reminds me what "normal" feels like. Every now and then someone recognizes me, but it's not a big deal. The band got so busy that after I turned eighteen I basically jumped straight into touring.
Interviewer:
I read in an American magazine that Ryan bought you a Mercedes-Benz. Is that true?
Brendon:
(Laughs.) Yeah, that's true. Ryan found my old car sitting in the parking lot of a thrift store—it was completely broken down and wouldn't run anymore. He felt bad for me, so he bought me a new car. When I think about it now, I still can't believe he actually did something that generous.
wtf haha Brendon didn't even drive a Mercedes-Benz. And they both talked about buying new cars in fall 2006.
Interviewer:
You mentioned the other members are practicing new instruments. Which ones?
Brendon:
Trumpet, accordion, and cello. We're all teaching ourselves how to play them.
Interviewer:
Why those three?
Brendon:
Well... I actually played trumpet when I was in sixth grade, but I quit after a while. I also used to play drums. Back then I really wanted to play trumpet, but I wasn't very good at it, so I gave up. Later I saw someone playing accordion and thought, "That looks really cool." I became interested again, started practicing, and realized how much fun it is. As for the cello, my older sister played it for years, and we had one at home. Because it was there, I had opportunities to play around with it.
Interviewer:
So you're planning to use accordion on the next album?
Brendon:
Yeah, I think so. For the last month and a half or two months, I've been trying to learn as many instruments as I can. Of course, I've been focusing on the accordion because that's what I've been practicing the most. I also want to become good enough on the instruments I already play that I can use them naturally whenever I'm writing songs. When someone says, "Can anyone play this part?" I'd like to be able to answer, "Yeah, I can."
Interviewer:
Accordion has a somewhat old-fashioned, nostalgic image. Is that part of what attracts you?
Brendon:
I don't really think of it as being nostalgic. To me, the accordion isn't tied to one particular era. It's simply an instrument with its own beautiful sound. For example, you can play long, expressive melodies on it and it reminds people of France or old European streets. But you can also play short, playful phrases. That's what's interesting about it. And it isn't just the accordion. There are so many instruments that people hardly use in pop music anymore. I think it's exciting to bring those sounds back and use them in a modern way.
Interviewer:
So unlike many rock bands, you're trying to create a more distinctive sound?
Interviewer: Ryan wrote most of the songs on our previous album, right?
Brendon: This time, though, everyone—including you could even say me—is going to contribute ideas. Ryan will probably still write most of the lyrics because he's incredibly good at it. I honestly think he's one of the best lyricists around. But everyone has something they can contribute. Spencer is an amazing drummer. He also has a real talent for arranging music. Ryan can play just about anything. I can sing, but I can also play instruments. So everyone brings something different to the table. Because of that, I think this album is going to feel much more like a true collaboration than our first one.
Interviewer:
So we should expect much stronger teamwork on this album than before?
Brendon:
Definitely. On the first album, Ryan, Spencer, and I mostly wrote together. Ryan would usually come in with lyrics first. Then we'd sit around talking about what kind of music would fit them. From there we'd work out the melodies, I'd write vocal melodies, Spencer would help shape the arrangements, and Ryan would usually be the first one to finish his lyrics. This time we're building on that process, but everyone is contributing more ideas right from the beginning.
Interviewer:
A lot of people seem to think that you and Ryan are complete opposites. Ryan comes across as shy, while you seem much more outgoing. Do you agree?
Brendon:
Yeah, I think that's true. Personally, I'm not really anxious about being around other people. Once I get up on stage in front of a crowd, I don't really get nervous anymore. Ryan is different. He's naturally shy. Even now, after all this time, I don't think he's someone who's especially comfortable being the center of attention. But that's also one of his strengths. He's able to express really beautiful stories through his songwriting, and I think that's because of the kind of person he is. That's one of the things that makes him such an important part of this band.
Interviewer:
So you're really good friends?
Brendon:
Yeah, absolutely. People might find this surprising, but unlike a lot of bands, we actually enjoy spending time together. Even when we're not working, Ryan and I go out to eat together, watch movies together, or just hang out at somebody's house watching DVDs. Spencer hangs out with us too. Jon had just moved to Las Vegas around that time, and we really enjoyed spending time with him as well. Of course, once we go out on tour we're working together every day. But when we're home, we stop being just coworkers—we're simply friends again. I think that's pretty special.
Interviewer:
Do you think Ryan was simply born shy? Why do you think he's that way?
Brendon:
That's just who he is. It's hard to explain with words, but he's been like that ever since I met him. As we've spent more and more time together over the last two or three years, I've come to understand him much better. People who don't know him probably think, "Brendon is the outgoing one and Ryan is the quiet one." But our close friends understand him differently than the public does.
Interviewer:
Do you ever try to encourage him to come out of his shell? To become more outgoing?
Brendon:
No. I think he should just be himself.
Interviewer:
That's interesting.
Brendon:
When I first joined the band, Ryan wasn't singing at all. Back then I was living in England (HELP WHAT IS THIS TRANSLATION LOL), and Ryan was the one writing all the songs. At first he wanted to be the singer too, but after hearing him, I honestly didn't think singing suited him. He told me he had taken vocal lessons before. So I encouraged him. I kept telling him, "You can do it. Keep practicing." Eventually he became comfortable enough that he could sing backup vocals. I think that's great.
Interviewer:
So instead of trying to change who he is, you wanted to help him become more confident?
Brendon:
Exactly. If he can do that, then I think the band becomes even stronger.
Interviewer:
What are you personally interested in writing about right now?
Brendon:
For the past few months I've been working on a story. It's still unfinished, but I'd like it to become the foundation of the album.
Interviewer:
When did you start recording?
Brendon:
Not yet. Writing songs is actually the hardest part, so we're spending about another month just writing. Once we've finished enough material to know what kind of album this is going to become, that's when the real recording starts. We're all throwing ideas into the mix right now.
Interviewer:
Can you tell me what kind of story you're writing?
Brendon:
It's hard to explain... But it's kind of like an old fairy tale. Something along the lines of Hansel and Gretel or Alice in Wonderland... Except instead of being children's stories, they're written for adults. The setting isn't necessarily the same, but that's the sort of feeling I'm aiming for. I want it to be something that adults can understand in their own way. Everyone can interpret it differently. And I think that's what will make listening to the album interesting.
Interviewer:
That sounds fascinating. Last December you played a huge hometown show in Las Vegas, didn't you?
Brendon:
Yeah. We played at the local arena. It was actually the first arena I'd ever played. It was funny because three or four years earlier I'd graduated from high school in that exact same building.
side note: Brendon skipped his graduation. It was Ryan who graduated in that venue so I'm curious about the translation or if there was a misunderstanding etc.
Brendon:
Yeah! Just being back there already felt strange. Then walking onto that stage... I suddenly realized, "These people came here to see us." That was an incredible feeling. So many of my friends came. My family came too. I was really happy.
Interviewer:
I heard you sold about 7,500 tickets.
Brendon:
Yeah. And, you know... Some of the people who came were kids who used to bully me in school. Now they're buying tickets to come see my band.
Brendon:
Yeah. It honestly doesn't make me angry anymore. If anything, I almost feel sorry for them. But at the same time... I don't want revenge. I don't want to make them feel bad. There's nothing I can do to change the past. So I don't really think about it anymore. I'm just grateful they came. If they're fans now, then that's fine.
Interviewer:
Why do you think they bullied you?
Brendon:
I honestly don't know. Maybe they just thought I was different. Sometimes people don't need much of a reason. If someone looks different... or they're stronger than you... or weaker than you... People find excuses. Words can hurt just as much as anything else. In high school, if you played football you were popular. If you weren't, you were just an ordinary kid. And if you were different, people noticed. That's just how it was.
Interviewer:
So society almost rewards people for fitting in?
Brendon:
Exactly. In high school everyone thinks you have to be good at football or basketball. Ryan and I were the opposite of that. Back then it felt like a huge deal. Now... I honestly don't care anymore. Right now I'm happier than I've ever been.
Interviewer:
When fans hear the next album, what do you hope they'll feel?
Brendon:
More than anything, I hope they'll be surprised. I don't want people to hear it and think, "Oh, this is just more of the same." I want them to hear it and think, "Wow... I didn't expect this from Panic! at the Disco."
Interviewer:
So you're not worried that changing your style might confuse some fans?
Brendon:
Not really. People are always going to have different opinions. Some people might prefer the first album. Some people might like the new one better. That's okay. The important thing is making music that we're excited about. If we tried to make the same album over and over again just because it sold well, we'd get bored. I don't think we'd be honest with ourselves.
Interviewer:
Is there anything you're especially looking forward to once the album is finished?
Brendon:
Touring. Playing the new songs live is always my favorite part. A song doesn't really feel complete until you've played it in front of an audience. That's when you find out how it really works.
Interviewer:
Finally, do you have a message for your Japanese fans?
Brendon:
Thank you so much for always supporting us. Japan has always been an amazing place for us. The fans are incredibly passionate, and every time we visit we have a great time. We're working really hard on the new album right now, so please look forward to it. We'll definitely come back to Japan again.
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