The Obelisk Questionnaire: Mike Burns of Radian
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Mike Burns of Radian
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
I’m a guitar player, songwriter and a visionary. I started playing guitar around the age of 12 but didn’t really take it seriously or put much effort into it until the age of 16. My best friend at the time Sean, had a really sweet Iceman and a 2×12 combo amp.
We’d hang out all the time and play guitar. With him being substantially better than me and taking it very seriously, it was a learning curve for me to say the least. A few years later Sean and I started a band that went on for about 4 or 5 years. That was also a serious learning curve. At that point I knew that this is what I was meant to do and never looked back. It’s all Sean’s fault.
Describe your first musical memory.
I grew up in the city with my mother as a single parent. We didn’t have much, and she was always working to provide for us. Music always played a huge role in her life. She liked all kinds of music and would sing every word of every song she’d listen to. This was in the ‘80s prior to video games and the internet. She would listen to things like Led Zeppelin, AC DC, Eurythmics, Inxs, Bob Dylan, and Deep Purple just to name a few. Growing up around that time was much different than today. As a kid you had to go out and create adventures, at least I did. Growing up in a decent sized city your mode of transportation was your BMX bike or your skateboard and in some cases both. We would ride our bikes across town with our skateboards on the handlebars to the “sweet skate spot” or sometimes just skate all day to the spots.
An adventure, ya know? One day I met two brothers that moved in the neighborhood from Florida. These dudes could skate. I mean, like nothing I’ve ever seen in person. I wanted to skate like that also, so I started hanging out with them all the time skating everywhere around town and learning from them. That’s around the time the older brother asked me if I’ve ever listened to hardcore. I’m like what’s hardcore? He explained and turned me on to bands like Minor Threat, Black Flag and Misfits. I was immediately hooked! I was actually convinced that while listening to said bands on a boombox during our skate sessions would have you pulling off tricks that you normally wouldn’t be able to pull off if you weren’t listening to them. I’d like to think this is my first musical memory.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
This is a hard one, but this is the first thing that comes to mind. Growing up we would always have to travel about 45 minutes away to the big venue where all the great bands would play coming through on tour. It was and still is a legendary theater and ballroom that holds about 2500 plus people. That was the spot. Every show was like a huge event and if you didn’t go it was like you’re missing out on something. Years later my band got the opportunity to open for a local band that sold the place out damn near every time. I remember loading in, doing sound check and going to the green room looking at the brick wall that all these amazing bands that inspired me to play had written on or signed at one point or another.
Then getting to perform on the biggest stage I’ve ever been on at that point in front of a sold-out crowd. To me it was like experiencing everything that my peers got to experience. It wasn’t just the performance; it was the entire experience. From load in till load out. It was a taste of being part of something real. Something people wanted to relate to, and it was my creation. From that point on my drive got even stronger to be some part of this world.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
The fact remains that I have mental issues. So, with that being said, I have a solid handful of firmly held beliefs and not necessarily all of them are spiritual. My spiritual beliefs are pretty much in check. It’s the other beliefs that are tested almost on a daily basis especially nowadays. I don’t think I type fast enough to fully go on about this topic and not so sure readers would want to endure it.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
Every artist that works on their craft, no matter the type of art will progress. Especially with years. What are your motives for progression? For thy self or for others? For me personally it would be for myself as an artist to be able to deliver a better and redefined form of my own art for others to enjoy. People enjoying my art fills my heart with joy. So where does artistic progression lead? I believe that is an individual based answer.
How do you define success?
How do you define success? Is it defined by how many records you’ve sold? Is it defined by how many tours you’ve done? Is it defined by the amount in your bank account? I don’t feel as if the answer is any of those things! Being in my mid 40’s I believe it’s in how you’ve grown as a person. Have you become a better, more helpful person? I’d certainly like to think so. I also believe that success lies in setting goals and then achieving those goals, whatever they may be or how minor they may seem to others. I remember just wanting to start a band with my best friend. After some time, we achieved that goal. To me that was a success. Then I remember just wanting to play a live show. Over time that was a reality. To me that was a success. Any time you achieve goals that you set in place for yourself to me is a success.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
I have no regrets in life. Anything I’ve seen I’ve learned from and moved forward.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
I’ve always wanted to create a documentary film. Eventually I will get to it, but other goals that are more important to me hinder that. It will happen when the time is right. Just like every other goal I’ve set for myself. Time is not of essence in this matter.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
Self-expression! If you create a form of art for others to enjoy, I feel like it’s the individual’s expression of creativity that is intriguing to others. You’re enjoying someone’s vision. Someone’s expression of their own art.
Sure, you can steal someone else’s expression, but it would be far less intriguing to others because it is not original. However, on another note. Stealing someone’s expression and making it something of your own I also consider art.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
I’m sooooooo looking forward to Winter being over. Hot days, warm Summer nights by the campfire, fishing, and spending time with the ones I care about. Also not carrying gear in the snow haha.
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