THE ART OF OPEN HEART SURGERY
Written By: Christopher Walker

The whole emo, screamo, pop-punk - whatever it’s being dubbed today - genre can seem a little overcrowded and saturated at times. Everyone’s crooning, screaming, harmonizing and thrashing but is anyone doing it right? The Beautiful Mistake is - with a sound that tugs at heart strings and provokes a mosh pit - the way it’s supposed to be done.

The formula may be standard but the way these four musicians (Josh Hagquist, vocals/guitar; Jon Berndtson, bass/backing vocals; Shawn Grover, guitar; and Josh Quesada, drummer) manipulate the music, with their tight-knit playing and self-proclaimed "open heart surgery" lyrics, is truly impressive.

Their music is heart-on-your-sleeve, structured, yet experimental rock that leaves a lasting impression. Not only that, The Beautiful Mistake throw two more elements into their musical melting pot: influences from a unique variety of artists and the often overlooked power of literature.

With their latest album, This Is Who You Are, an extensive tour schedule coming up, and a spot on the Vans Warped Tour, The Beautiful Mistake has nothing to do but continue to impress and nowhere to go but up.

SM: Where’d the name "The Beautiful Mistake" come from?

Jon Berndtson: The name came from an e.e. cummings poem entitled "of him and me". Our singer, Josh, actually discovered the name and brought it to the table to see what everyone else thought. I guess it just kind of stuck!

SM: Aside from the band name do you find any of the stuff you read influencing or affecting lyrics, song titles, or even album names?

J.B.: Yes, most definitely! There is a song on the new record called "The Great Divorce" which is based off of a book by C.S. Lewis. Anything that happens in life affects you and influences you. We draw from life experiences.

SM: What are you guys listening to right now?

J.B.: Tons of different stuff. I can't speak on behalf of the other guys in the band, but for myself, I've been listening to the new Sparta record a lot lately. I also just got the new Taken EP and I have to say it's quite amazing. It will definitely be a staple for many hardcore records in the future. I've also been listening to the new Muse album.

SM: Aside from the line-up you’ll be with on the Vans Warped Tour who’s on your wish list of people to tour with in the future?

J.B.: I think, realistically, it would be awesome to tour with Boys Night Out again, Northstar again, the AKAs. All of those bands were great to tour with.

SM: Explain the process that goes on when you guys get together to, start brainstorming or, writing new material? Is it a collaborative effort or does one of you come up with most of the ideas?

J.B.: It's definitely a collaborative. I mean, granted, someone comes with an original riff/structure/song/lyric/whatever, but I mean, we all come together to make it into a song and it definitely forms it into "The Beautiful Mistake" rather than just one guy's ideas. That's what I think makes a band and also brings a camaraderie and cohesiveness to the band itself.

SM: I’ve read that you guys have no problem putting your heart on your sleeve when it comes to writing lyrics. Where does most of the inspiration or ideas come from?

J.B.: With lyrics you should be honest because that's the way that people can relate with the music and connect with it. So, if you’re not writing something that's sincere and true it just comes off fake. With us, we have nothing to hide. It's better for us to take open heart surgery so everyone can see what's inside. It also makes it easier for us to write lyrics because it just pours out. It's definitely a release. Inspiration for our lyrics comes from anything, from all of our experiences in life. It's been a great experience with this new album because we all helped contribute towards the lyrics; they're very personable to all of us in the band. It makes it even more amazing to play the new songs live when they mean so much to you lyrically, not just musically. You’re playing with feeling.

SM: A Simple Plan was recently featured in the new Olsen twins movie. Would you guys ever do anything like that?

J.B.: We’d for surely do that. Anyway that new people can hear about our band.

SM: What do you think separates a band from selling-out as opposed to "evolving"?

J.B.: I think people forget the fact that if a band "sells-out" that means they turn their backs on something they once believed in. And if that means that they're writing music that isn't sincere, and just doing it for something else, then I think that's selling out. But the difference between that and evolving is that bands grow up. Just ‘cause an album sounds different than an old one doesn’t mean that their selling out; bands can change a lot over years of touring, growing, and getting older. It's just the way it is. I think selling out refers to giving away something that was once yours - giving up your freedom. And as a musician, I think that's the freedom of being an artist, doing what you want, not what someone else wants. So if you give that up, I think that's selling out. That's definitely not evolving ‘cause you’re doing it for someone else, not yourself.

SM: Unfortunately you guys had to cancel your Vegas show due to a death in the family but you’ll be back July 4th. Will you be hitting up the casinos when you get here?

J.B. Anytime we come to Vegas we love to just chill out and hang out with friends. We usually will have family come out or else hang out with our friends in one more weekend and just chill at a hotel/casino type place, usually eat, and maybe gamble a bit. We're pretty low key, but of course, we like to gamble a little so we can say we did!

SM: And finally, is there anything you’d like to mention or throw in before we conclude?

J.B.: We’re always on tour, so make sure you check out our site for current updates. We also have a new street team, so if you want to help us out, please visit our site for details on that. Thanks so much!

When the interview with Jon Berndtson was conducted The Beautiful Mistake was intact and excited about their upcoming tours with Spitalfield, Andrew W.K. and, of course, the Vans Warped Tour. But, as of press time, The Beautiful Mistake has broken up. All upcoming tour dates have been cancelled.

According to the band’s official website, Hagquist and Berndtson will continue to record, and possibly tour in the future, as The Beautiful Mistake. Grover and Quesada, on the other hand, have both left to pursue different things. Everyone is still on good terms.
If you'd like to be The Beautiful Mistakes next guitarist or drummer you can apply by e-mailing the band at tryouts@thebeautifulmistake.com.