Redefine Nothing is a musical project/band from Indianapolis, IN and formed in 2013 by multi instrumentalist Joshua Mortis. The motivation behind forming Redefine Nothing was Mortis's love for music but dislike at the current music industry and world. There was a desire to create something inspirational that could draw your attention and make you not only feel something but question it.
Something completely new but still had the same heart, attitude, and roots as early rock n roll. The early formation of Redefine Nothing was originally a 4 member band but over the years the line up changed frequently with Mortis being the main driven force behind the group. After 2018 the group became a trio and after 2019 became official a one man band. In 2020 Mortis signed with a distribution label and was given his own smaller label within it to freely make and release music how he desired as well as the ability to sign other artist under it as well.
Thus began the start of Coffin Rock Records which is also what Mortis coined as the genre of Redefine Nothings music simply because he felt it didnt fit any other genre of music whole heartedly enough to be considered any one particular genre. Redefine Nothings inspiration from a wide diversity of music has given the group a unique sound inspired by Industrial, Grunge, and the rough dirty elements of punk and garage rock and as well as influenced by Shock Rock, Metal, Goth Rock, and Horror Punk as well as elements of Horror, Theatrics, Films, Weird Noises, and Controversial Topics.
Websites or Social Media Pages:
https://www.redefinenothing.com/
https://www.facebook.com/RedefineNothinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPFksV_9kbg&list=PLpOruGsIdjcYVUJy9J1MfTJo3EshzHMn4
What Musical Genre Do You Feel Best Describes Your Music And How Would You Describe Your Sound?
Hard Rock, Alternative, Industrial, I always felt it didnt really fit whole heartedly in one particular genre so I kinda coined my own genre which I call Coffin Rock
How Did You Get Your Name? Is There A Story?
I've always been a huge fan of Trent Reznor and his studio and label he had was called nothing records so that kind of made me wanna use the word nothing in the name so given it thought I reflected on the discouragement from people around me i had growing up about being a musician and how I wouldnt make anything of myself in life in general so I often heard that I would be Nothing or that I would amount to nothing in life so I thought to myself what exactly is nothing? and I remember saying to myself well if Im going to be nothing Ill change what nothing means then poof Redefine Nothing clicked and stuck.
What Are or Have Been Your Musical Influences?
I've always been of fan of bands like Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, Nirvana, Bauhaus, The Cure, Joy Division, Psyclone Nine, Depeche Mode, Skinny Puppy, Rob Zombie, Placebo, Stabbing Westward, sisters of mercy, HIM etc. I like Punk rock, deathrock, goth rock, industrial, heavy metal, horror punk, industrial metal, new wave, grunge, etc., a lot of 80s, and 90s stuff.
Creatively I wanted to mix the early punk rock and garage rock elements with sort of a industrial and grunge mix. I feel music today is too cleaned and polished and it takes away the human aspect of it and heart out of it . I like the concept of being, loud, noisey and imperfect cause humans are imperfect.
What Are You Working On Now? Any Future Collaborations We Can Look Forward To?
Well im currently still promoting the newest album that came out in February Nothing Last Forever: Part Two and im getting ready to start working on a fun little compilations of cover songs from some of my biggest influences. Also maybe seeing about forming a live band for the summer maybe.
What Is Your Ultimate Goal In The Music Industry? What Is Your Plan Of Action?
Well music has always been an escape for me. When ever I was dealing with something I didnt think I could over come I would listen to an artist who was singing about feeling the same way or who has dealt with the same thing and it inspired me to not give up and that I wasnt so alone. I Just want to be that same inspiration to someone else for someone whos dealing with something to turn to my music and inspire them.
What Is Your Favorite Track To Perform Live and Why?
Well theres a lot of new tracks I'm working on making playable live so I guess thats a question Id have to answer if and when the time comes again.
What Has Been The Biggest Challenge In Your Career Thus Far?
Over the years the line up changed so frequently and to the point of me becoming a one man band so I think the biggest challenge was how to continue with doing everything by myself which Im very proud of myself for being to keep going and not only that but to become an even bigger artist.
What’s Your Typical Songwriting Process?
In depends sometimes Things will just pop in my head lyrically sometimes which can turn into a full written song and Ill try to write it down quickly before I forget them and sometimes Ill just focus on completely doing the music first then try to fit in lyrics.
How Has Social Media Influenced Your Career As An Artist?
I think technology as a whole has kind of hurt the big names in music as far as financial profit goes most bands rely on touring and merch and what not due to record sales decline with everything being digital now but I think its been a huge help to small artist like myself where its given us a chance to not only get our music out there but to do it completely independent. I mean I can make, record and release, an entire album by myself from the comfort of my own home. Thats something small artist would have been able to do really do 10 or so years ago.
What Are Some Tracks and Artists Currently On Your Playlist?
I'm a firm believer in the best modern day artist are usually the ones you kind of got to dig to find theyre more than likely not gonna be on the average radio station or be whats popular at the moment but as far as artist that are fairly new I like Adoration Destroyed, Avatar, Dawn of Ashes, Ghost, She Past Away, Davey Suicide, Skynd, etc.
What Did You Do Before You Started Making Music?
I dont honestly know or remember Ive kind of just always did music in some way or another I dont really know much of anything else lol Music has always been a part of my life since I was a child. In a sense I wouldnt be me if i didnt have music i dont really know who I am if im not a musician.
Any Advice For Young People (Men or Women) That Want To Succeed In The Music World?
I would tell them that if theres something out that you love and want then dont ever give up on it no matter what obstacles you face or who tries to tell you you cant have it. Never give up on your dreams. I didn’t and I still haven’t so if you believe in me than ill believe in you.
What Would You Change In The Music Industry If You Were A Top Music Executive?
The thing I would change is and it breaks my heart really to think about is the fact that theres so many talented musicians who are amazing and have there heart in what they do but because they dont choose to conform to whats popular or played they dont get as much of a chance to be heard and to be rewarded for it and they truly deserve it
I would make promotion and things of that such equal for all genres not just which one is making money and just ignoring all other music simply because its not popular at the moment.
How Do You Feel About Originality?
I think as far as mainstream music goes it seems to be to be the same old repetitive stuff. What ever is making profit everyone Jus keeps milking til its run its course I think artist who really have some originality and creativity you really kind of have to search for and dig. Its like finding a diamond in the rut. I think more artist shouldnt be afraid of trying something that hasnt been done before.
Is There Anything Else We Should Know About You Or That You Would Like to Add?
Not that I can think of really. Thank you for giving me the chance to speak and sharing a little bit of my story. I hope who ever sees or reads about this takes something from it whether it be a form of inspiration or perhaps really makes them think and things in new perspective about music . thank you for your time
