WATK Music Mentor Series #6 with Vans Warped Tour Monster Energy Pit Reporter Brian Walsh!

You guys asked the questions, and Brian provided the answers! Read up on this great feature, and get to know Brian! My passion in life ultimately lies in music and film. I know that you love both film and music as well. What would be your ultimate goal with both of those passions and how would you make it happen?

My ultimate goal with both music and film would be to have an awesome soundtrack to a movie that I produce. After Warped Tour I am hoping to start producing more music videos and eventually work my way up to producing full-blown movies. I am also a part of a production company that I started with some classmates; Tranzparent Pictures is a talented group of people that I really love to work with, and it is only a matter of time for more gigs to come along.

What are you doing to prepare for Warped Tour?

Hyperventilating, but seriously, I am practicing editing skills, as well as keeping my content fresh and entertaining. I want people to look forward to seeing the Warped Pit Vlog’s every morning. I want to also take a serious approach at times and show the realness of the tour so I am also planning on doing some mini-documentary videos with bands/crew/fans etc.

Who have you met since you were chosen to be the new Pit Reporter?

I have met a lot of really great people; everyone has been extremely supportive and enthusiastic about the tour. The bands I have met include The Wonder Years, Yelawolf, Set Your Goals, We Came As Romans, A Day To Remember, Lionize, So Long Arletta, Moving Mountains, DRUGS, Larry And His Flask, Hellogoodbye, and Less Than Jake. Not to mention all of the people who are associated with these bands including band/tour managers and record label people. Kevin Lyman is one of the nicest, down to earth people I met so far. He is the founder of Warped Tour and is the one who has given me this awesome opportunity.

Will you have a different approach to things than Tiffany Mink did?

Tiffany Mink did an awesome job as the pit reporter and has set a high bar for me. I hope to have the same realness about me that Tiffany does in the pit videos but I am also looking to expand on film technique with live performances and interviews. The pit videos are filmed in a vlog style and I will continue this but I also look to have sit down interviews with bands and give each video a unique feel.

How did you make the transition from being involved with film to the music industry?

Essentially there is not much of a difference to me, I see it as the entertainment industry and we each have our own jobs to make it all happen. It is the same way in film as music, it takes a lot of people to produce something great and being able to work with people who are passionate about what they do is all I really want to do.

How has it been working for Vans in California?

Vans has been the best company to work for. The Vans culture is rooted in Southern California and I have learned a lot about myself as well as where I come from because of the Vans culture. Where I live, you can look down at any party, mall, skate park and I could almost promise that more than one person is wearing Vans. It is an icon for action sports as well as punk rock music and lifestyle. To be a part of Vans has been very natural and I hope to continue my relationship with the company even after Warped Tour.

What are you most excited to see/do while on the Warped Tour?

I am excited to experience the entire thing! I am already excited about what I have done and I haven’t even started the tour. I look forward to building relationships and being surrounded by people who are truly living their dreams and making it all happen. I know that I find inspiration from the little things but to be around so many inspiring people, I hope to have it rub off on me and give me the wisdom to make the right decisions and aspire to my dreams as well.

Did you have to learn professionalism from an early age due to your involvement in the film industry?

Yes, I did learn at an early age how to behave in a professional environment. I have been on film sets since I was a child and although it can be a lot of fun, everyone there is doing a job. The entertainment industry also takes a certain type of person, one who can work with others, keep their cool, and be able to take constructive criticism. Being able to read people is also a very handy tool, seeing people’s true intentions will help make the right decisions.

What are you plans for after Warped Tour?

I will be returning to school to further my education in film, and looking for more work.

Which bands are you most excited to see this summer?

Where do I start? Obviously I am super excited for all of the main stage bands like A Day To Remember, Less Than Jake, Gym Class Heroes, The Devil Wears Prada, Asking Alexandria, Against Me!, Attack Attack!, Pepper, Paramore, August Burns Red, D.R.U.G.S., Jack’s Mannequin, and 30h!3. I am also really excited for Bad Rabbits, Big Chocolate, Dance Gavin Dance, Enter Shikari, Foxy Shazam, Hellogoodbye, Larry and His Flask, Lionize, Of Mice & Men, Peelander-Z, Set Your Goals, Simple Plan, We Came As Romans, Woe, Is Me, Yelawolf and a lot more. I can’t wait to see who is going to own the crowd and get the party started.

What new things can people expect regarding the coverage you put together each day?

I just suggest you subscribe to the official vans warped tour youtube channel, watch the video each day and find out first hand what I will put together for you all!