Interviews : “The future of rock and metal music is safe in the hands of the youth” – An Interview With Christian Broome

ARMI® or the ‘Australian Rock and Metal Institute’ is a South Australian business launched in January 2012 by Christian Broome and his wife Connie. It was launched by the pair as a way “to encourage and inspire as many young people as possible to enjoy playing and creating music”. On behalf of Metal Obsession, I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Christian Broome about ARMI, who inspires him in his own professional and musical career, the current state of rock and metal music in Australia today, and how ARMI has been an “incredible ride” for him and Connie.

ARMI – Image used courtesy of ARMI Official

Going on to note how in only such a short space of time since ARMI’s inception, the institute has played host to a wonderful selection of notable artists such as influential rock icons Paul Gilbert and Joe Satriani, ARMI has furthermore allowed its students the chance to jam on stage alongside the aforementioned figures. Broome went on to say how it’s all been a “very surreal experience for him” and how he and Connie and have been both “excited” and “humbled” by how well ARMI has been received. With a recent tour that hosted Yngwie Malmsteen late last year in December 2013, Broome added how having been personally “inspired by [these] guys from an early age… to play part in bringing them out to Australia to inspire others is truly an amazing feeling”. Done in association with Thump Music – “good friends” of ARMI, and who Broome says are “very fortunate to have a strong relationship with” – another ‘Master Class Tour’ (as they’re officially labelled as) is currently in the works. This time it’ll be with English guitarist, teacher and aficionado, Guthrie Govan (The Aristocrats, ASIA, GPS, The Young Punx). Broome said he is “pumped… to have Guthrie Govan in Australia” and he further mentioned Govan to be someone who is “on another level” and an “awe-inspiring musician”, as well as a figure who has been a significant influence on his own guitar playing.

Afterwards, Christian and I spoke about his feelings towards the current state of the industry, as well as rock and metal music as a whole. While Broome believes “the future of rock and metal music is safe and well in the hands of the youth”, he did make mention however that he feels there should be “more access to funding for artists” and that more live venues should be built and maintained instead of tearing down or closing those still open to “make way for pokies or high-rise hotels/apartment blocks”. I couldn’t agree more, especially when you consider the fact that at time of printing this, today will mark the closing of the iconic and historical venue that is Melbourne’s The Palace Theatre – a lush theatre first built in 1912. We should be preserving the venues that have helped build our nations identity, not tearing them down. And yes, while you may think that last comment sounds a tad dramatic, think of it this way: how many people picture AC/DC when they hear the word ‘Australia’? I can be guaranteed the percentage would be in the high nineties. Australian music is an important part of our cultural identity, and it has only grown stronger since that ‘70s era of mullets and tours sporting the tagline ‘Lock Up Your Daughters’. Closing the venues that helped forge this important aspect of what makes Australia what it is feels like a rather grave and misinformed decision.

Following this, Broome also went on to mention something that I hadn’t previously considered: that there should be “less sub genres”. Broome made the point that the “label of ‘sub genre’ in itself is designed to create separatism and division”. This struck me as quite fascinating. When you consider his point, in many ways it makes sense. Using sub genres as opposed to umbrella terms like ‘extreme metal’ (or just ‘metal’ in general) for example can alienate a large populous that may otherwise have enjoyed the music.

While there is some merit to using sub genres as it helps to differentiate between different styles, it can at times overly complicate things. And in more cases than not, labels aren’t always as needed as the social consensus would have you believe.

Albeit, with all of that being said, at the end of the day, this really all boils down to personal opinion and preference. And by no means is Christian or myself trying to sway vote one way or the other. It was merely interesting to muse over the fact.

The New Dead V Metalfest 2014

With The New Dead V Metalfest that kicked off in Adelaide today, ARMI had a significant part in helping sponsor the day-long event. Wanting to offer a “really special and unique” competition in celebration of The New Dead’s fifth anniversary, this was done in partnership with Mark Hosking and the team at Global Music Revolution, who put up for a grabs a chance to win a Schecter guitar and a variety of other goodies. Broome and ARMI are “proud to be able to have the opportunity to support our good friends Jason North and Truth Inc Records with this outstanding event” and went on add that they are looking forward to “continuing to support them in the future”. Broome even mentioned interestingly how alongside the “mighty”  lineup this year “consisting of some of Australia’s finest metal bands” such as King Parrot, LORD, Aeon of Horus, Claim the Throne, Hadal Maw, etc., the band Dyssidia who are also on the bill actually feature three of ARMI’s teachers, that being Corey Davis, Mitch Brackman, and Neil Palmer.

Following successful ventures into other avenues such as Adelaide’s Next Superstar (in which Broome was a judge), ARMI has played part not only in helping participants realise their dreams of successfully kicking off their music careers but offering something that is “groundbreaking for any young artist or aspiring musician”.

It can certainly be said that in only just over a couple years, ARMI has achieve a staggering amount for a start up company, and Broome enthusiastically looks towards the future viewing ARMI as an “evolution in music education” where it’s actively encouraged for students to “seek their passion in music, within their chosen field” and that whether it be “via instrument, voice, recording, music business or even teaching, [ARMI] will make those avenues available for them”. It’s ARMI’s wish to “create positive pathways to success within the music industry” and that while strongly youth focused, ARMI is open to people of all ages to help “inspire, nurture, and mentor”.

To close, I’d like to thank Christian Broome for taking time out of his schedule to talk to Metal Obsession about ARMI and its fascinating objective.

If you’d like to read up further about ARMI check out their official website or drop them a line over at Facebook.

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