Garland Briggs is an emo-violence band from Calgary, AB, fronted by me (Maya), along with guitar by Nick, bass by Jake and drums by Miyaki. We have been a band for around 2 years now but played our first show in August of 2024. On March 4th 2025 we released our first album, through Canadian Wasteland, which was initially going to be a demo but we decided it was long enough to be an album so I guess it's our demo/album?
After years of wanting to start a band, especially an emo band, this has been such a rewarding experience for me. Finally having something to pour my inspiration and emotion into is so cathartic and I would recommend it to anyone who has any interest in making music. Being someone who spends so much time listening and reading and writing about the emo bands of the 90s and 2000s, being able to use those influences in my music is so satisfying.
Being in a band has also meant I've made so many great friendships, mainly with everyone in the band, but overall it has introduced me to so many cool and interesting people that I am grateful to know.
With each of us coming from backgrounds of different musical tastes, our sound is a mix of many things including some grindcore elements, but we've all been able to come together and create a sound we're happy with. Some of our main influences are Love Lost But Not Forgotten, Joshua Fit For Battle, Funeral Diner, The Great Redneck Hope, Tears of Avarel and Indian Summer.
If there is one thing I can say, it's START A BAND! We need more bands always! Even if you think you aren't good enough or people won't like what you like or whatever it may be holding you back, please just do it and I promise you it will pay off. I had no experience making music and am a relatively shy person who never thought I could have done something like this, but here I am and it was so worth it!
Lastly, thank you so much to everyone who supports us in any way. Thank you to Ben for all of his support, Marissa for her beautiful photos of us, Meg for her videos of us and incredible visuals at our show, thank you to Neil for recording our album and getting us our first shows, thank you to Thatcher for mixing our album, thank you to NJ for filming our very first show and taking great photos of us and thank you to all of our friends and supporters we love you all so much and couldn't do it without you!
