Chris Wright

Chris Wright is the front man of the bands Facelock, Psychosystem, The Synister Carnivale, Scent of Remains, and Idiot Insomniacs.

Through his time performing, he has overcome a brain stem stroke, which caused him to relearn how to function normally. He has also gone through a weight loss journey that resulted from his stroke.

Chris Wright is one of the most inspirational people I've ever met. The struggles he has overcome are some that other people would not have been able to overcome. In our interview, we discussed his journey as an artist, and how he has overcome professional and personal struggles during his career as a performing artist.

The Interview

When did you find your passion for music and when did you start writing?

Back when I was 6 or 7 yrs old, my favorite cartoon was “Banana Splits.” One member of the band in the show was named Drooper the Dog. Jupiter was my first impression of what a musician could look like.

I first started writing when I was 16 years old. My father was a musician and played guitar in bands as a side gig. I wanted to be like my dad in that respect.

Me and a couple dudes got together. We had just discovered metal from a bunch of cassette tapes we got from other people. We lived in an ethnic minority neighborhood, and everyone was into trying different kinds of music. The first cassette tape we listened to that day was Slayer’s album, “Hell Awaits.”

It was my first taste of metal and thrash music, and I haven’t looked back since.

How do you stay true to yourself as an artist?

As bad as it sounds, I am very self-centered about what I’m involved in. The music business has taught me to be that way. I actually don’t want to be the center of attention; I have anxiety about being out in large crowds, unlike what the music industry promotes.

When I perform on stage, I create a character based on a different vision of myself. When I perform on stage, I want to embody the type of person I’ve always admired. My favorite way to describe myself is as a NecroBard, part necromancer, part bard. I also have some Barbarian rage, which is shown in the music I write.  

What role do you think authenticity plays in building a brand as a musician?

There’s not one right way to do something. If you talk to the right people, you’ll find a way in. Finding the right connections is also hard. When I had my stroke, half the connections I had disappeared because I couldn’t do anything for them. I found out who my true friends were and who was fake during that time.

Over the years, I have strived to maintain the connections I’ve made because I give to receive. If you take care of the genuine people in your life, they will always be there and help you grow.   

Have you ever pivoted or worked in another industry? If so, do you have any projects you’re super proud of?

I’m kind of a jack of all trades. I have so many projects that I have going on all the time. I do 3d printing, gaming, acting, just to name a few things that I do.

One project I’m super proud if is the Psychosystem album, “The Faction Divide.”

It’s a concept album, but you don’t realize it until you dive deeper into the music. It’s a metal album. A small teaser here, but in some of the tracks, there are whispering. You can’t hear them unless you really listen to them.

There’s one song on that album that I’m really proud of. It’s actually funny. Right before I wrote this song, I had been in a relationship, and the person I was with really wanted me to write a song about her. When we broke up, I was like, “Alright, well, I got a song for you now.” The song is called “The InsignifiC*NT.” When this song dropped, I was surprised by how many people loved it, it’s such a simple song.

And it was also awesome to have 200 people screaming your lyrics back at you when we performed it live. It was the most beautiful part, it was inspiring. So ya, this is the project I’ most proud of. 

You can listen to both the album and the song on Bandcamp. Click the button below to listen to the album.

Psychosystem, The Faction Divide

What’s been the biggest struggle you’ve overcome as a musician?

The stroke is the biggest struggle I’ve overcome to date and staying grounded or down to earth. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in everything that comes with being in a band. You know, all the attention and notoriety.

You feel so good about it, it’s the same feeling you get when people are shouting your lyrics. It’s hard to not take it and run with it, it’s hard to stay grounded but it’s best to stay grounded for a lor reasons. At the end of the day, your ego isn’t going to make you any friends in this industry.

Do you have any advice for musicians who are just starting out in the music industry?

Stay out of my way (jk lol). Go into it with a realistic view. We all have that vision of what being in a band is like, the parties and women, the PR, but that’s only one part of it.

No one sees the back end of it, the bad equipment, the shady deals, bad club owners and promoters, unprofessional bands (not biz related). Keep your ego under control and have a better perception and more knowledge of how things work in the music industry, be workable and adaptable.

What’s the drink that gets your creative juices flowing?

Code red mountain dew or southern sweet tea. If I’m drinking, it’ll be whiskey with coke. I prefer simple choices, no time for indecision lol.  

In closing...

You can follow him on social media and stay up to date on all upcoming performance date by following him on Facebook. Click the link below!

Facebook

Bio

Chris Wright is a musician who grew up in Washington DC. He is the frontman of Facelock, Psychosystem, The Synister Carnivale, Scent of Remains, and Idiot Insomniacs.

He is also a multi creative; he makes merch for several of the bands he’s in, does 3d printing, acting, and gaming related events. You can find him on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok(band Idiot Insomniac).

You can stay up to date on all his concerts by going to his Facebook page.