With “It’s Me Again” out now, we took some time to hear from Brandon Wayne. Read below to learn more about Brandon Wayne, the story behind “It’s Me Again,” and what’s to come.

Hi Brandon Wayne! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?

Well, that’s actually my first and middle name. My last name is Pisciotta. It’s Italian and way too hard to pronounce. Wayne rolls off the tongue a little easier.

What city are you from and where are you based now?

I was born, raised, and currently reside in Long Beach, CA.

At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?

I was eight years old when my neighbor gave me my first guitar. That got me started on being curious about playing music. But when I was thirteen, I read Slash’s biography, and I saw Van Halen in concert. Between reading about rock stars and seeing them live, I knew that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?

I would say it’s a mix between rock, grunge, and country. I’ve been told that I tell stories like a country artist, but sound like rock n roll. My vocals have always sounded a bit grunge to me.

Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?

Well, I have been pretty big into lifting weights as a hobby since I was 13-14. I have always liked and looked up to bodybuilders since I was a kid. I’ve taken some time off here and there, but I’ve always tried to stay ‘fit.’ I stay creative by constantly trying to write new songs, jot down notes of stories, and try coming up with new riffs. Actually, I would say sometimes it gets the best of me. I have so many unfinished songs in my arsenal that I need to finish.

Who are some of your main musical influences?

Sheesh, where do I begin? I have loved the blues since I was a kid. Something about the heartache in their lyrics and that sad guitar. It speaks to me. I was raised on hair metal by my mom. She was always listening to Motley Crue, Poison, and Bon Jovi. I’m sure there are hints of that in my guitar playing all throughout my music.

Who would be a dream to collaborate with?

I would LOVE to collaborate with Hardy and Creed. I love how Hardy has dynamic and storytelling in his music. He is a great songwriter. Now, Creed, I grew up listening to them. I love their heavy riffs and emotion. So RAW! It would be an honor to collaborate with them in the future.

What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?

Hands down, playing The Troubador back in 2023. I saw Billy Gibbons, one of my favorite guitarists, at the Troubador in December 2022. I remember thinking how much I wanted to play that stage. Little did I know that I would be playing there a short eight months later. I remember feeling so fulfilled and overjoyed looking out at that crowd.

What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?

I would have to go with allowing myself to be vulnerable with my writing. For so long, I wanted to write about all the ‘fun’ stuff you know, sex, drugs, and rock n roll. But the more I got into my experiences and emotions, the better the songs became.

Now onto your release, ‘It’s Me Again.’ What inspired this song?

Let’s just say, I was going through a rough period of my life. I realized a lot of bad decisions that I had made that really affected a lot of close people in my life. I wanted to reflect and come to grips with myself.

What is ‘It’s Me Again’ about?

This song dives into my struggles and puts them on display. I hope people going through the same thing can relate and realize that they need to make changes to better themselves. It’s finding out that I was the problem yet again and knowing that if I didn’t change my ways, I would lose everything.

What was the creative process like when making ‘It’s Me Again?’

This song’s creative process was strange. I wanted it to feel all over the place, kind of like how I felt in my head. I wanted it to feel solemn, then hit hard, even harder, and change multiple times. I think it came out exactly how it needed to. It’s kind of like an emotional rollercoaster. Pretty much sums up how I was feeling about myself.

How long did it take to complete ‘It’s Me Again?’

It took me about a week to finish the lyrics and about a month to get the song completed. I get in the studio about once a week, so four, maybe five sessions in total. I think it came together quickly, if I’m being honest.

What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from ‘It’s Me Again?’

I hope people understand that if they are going through it, they need to look in the mirror. Take a hard look at yourself and your choices. Is the bad outweighing the good? Are you the problem? If so, you need to make some changes and own it.

What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?

I am working on a full-length album. I have two more songs to record. Once that is completed, I am throwing a massive album release party. Details will be posted on all of my social media platforms. After that, I am setting up a tour. I want to hit a couple of spots in California, Arizona, and Nevada first.

Where can we follow you on social media?

Sure! Thanks for asking. I always post updates, new shows, and new music on all my platforms.

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brandonwayne_music
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonwayne_music
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Brandon-Wayne-Music/61574114280156

Before you go, let’s ask you something off topic. What is your favorite food?

My favorite food, hands down, is Asian cuisine. I love it. All types, it doesn’t matter. Noodles, sushi, KBBQ, you name it. There are so many varieties, I feel like I can try them all and like them. My go-to would have to be Thai food. I am a sucker for good Pad See Ew. Thank you guys so much for having me. Keep an eye out for the album and show announcements!

Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!