Cpt Red Cup
I am Harrison Wiens, otherwise known as "Cpt Red Cup" and I have been writing music for almost 10 years. I took piano lessons right up until grade 8 when I lost my passion for classical music and that route and took much more interest in the songwriting aspect. It was a hard choice but i've never really looked back.Band/artist history
I started writing by joining a few bands in high school. I realized quickly that the ideas I suggested for songs were liked by my fellow bandmates so I instantly felt the confidence to start writing a lot of the songs ahead of time and then bringing them to the band and making it our own style. It was a lot of fun. Eventually the band aspect was too frustrating for me and my bandmates because of creative differences and directions, so I felt it was just easier to start writing solo.
I initially started under the name Vinyl Skyline, and I released an E.P. in the first year. It got a good initial reaction from the people who heard it, but with my lack of experience of promoting my music online and lack of connections, nothing really came of that. I kept writing but never released anything for the next couple years. Then as I felt that I needed a change, I changed my name to Cpt Red Cup and remixed a couple old Vinyl Skyline songs and put out an initial E.P just to get myself out there. I plan to start working on a full length soon and hopefully get it out before mid-year.Have you performed in front of an audience?Not yet. I'm looking to start booking shows this year because this is the one aspect I have always kind of dreaded, but I know it's part of being a musician so i'm going to get get used to it. I will update my social media as soon as I start booking shows, so look for that!
Your musical influences
I have almost too many to count, but I'll put the really crucial ones.
The New Cities:
They no longer are around, but they played a really nice bland of electronica and pop punk. They were my first favourite band and they definitely fuel'd my already love of keyboards/synthesizers.
Panic! At the Disco:
This was the first band where I listened to their album front to back (A Fever You Can't Sweat Out) and I was always just so entranced with their song structures. So I definitely always notice a moment in every song where I think to myself "How can I make this more P!ATD-ish."
Owl City:
This one's pretty big because of how impactful he has been on my approach to writing lyrics. His lyrics are just so unique and I listened to him a lot right around the start of my songwriting, so I definitely feel like a lot of my lyrics wouldn't be as good if not for him.
The Cataracs/LMFAO:
Both these bands were very edgy in both lyrics and how they presented themselves. I definitely know that they helped define my style and are why a lot of my songs have a "party" feeling to them.What equipment do you use?
I use Logic Express (I know, super old-school) and I actually have been just using a gaming headset for vocals and a computer keyboard to type in the midi for all the instruments.
I definitely am looking to upgrade my equipment this year. It's my top priority besides getting my music out there.Anything else?
I just wanna say that i'm a really chill guy. I'm pretty goofy most the time.
My alternative to writing music is writing sketch comedy shows. That would be a lot of fun I think. I am going to commit to music, but I definitely have notes on my phone full of sketch material just incase.
I am pretty short. 5'9.
I really want to start taking vocal lessons but I just can't afford to and don't have the time honestly. But it's something I think I need to do before it's all said and done. The reason I have kept myself as main vocals and not getting a second person is because I believe I have a good tone. I am however pitchy and that is something I really need to work on so I can eliminate my need for auto-tune.
I like eating pizza.Admin
Harrison
@CptRedCup
