As the lead singer of Incubus, Brandon Boyd has performed in front of tens of thousands of adoring fans.
But that doesn’t mean he didn’t have some hesitation when he released his first solo album or debuted the fine art that has long been a passion.
“It indeed has its vulnerabilities, and the feelings that emerge are not too dissimilar from the feelings I experienced when we first put out a record,” Boyd said.
| If you go |
| Incubus at the DC101 Chili Cook-0ff |
| » Where: RFK Stadium. |
| » When: Gates open at 11 a.m. Saturday |
| » Info: $35 in advance, $60 at the gate; dc101.com |
Incubus performs Saturday at the DC101 Chili Cook-Off.
Boyd’s interests have broadened beyond just that of music. He’s had his fine art displayed in L.A. area galleries and has used it to raise money for charity. He’s penned two books — “White Fluffy Clouds” and “From the Murks of the Sultry Abyss” — that feature photography, artwork and writing, with plans for a third effort.
“I look at it as luck and good fortune and hard work that has allowed me to be an artist in many different facets,” Boyd said.
In 2010, while the members of Incubus were on hiatus, Boyd released his solo album “The Wild Trapeze.”
“I was absolutely terrified,” Boyd said. “I almost didn’t put it out because of how much fear I was feeling around letting it go.”
Incubus is still touring behind last year’s “If Not Now, When?” and this summer will hit the road with Linkin Park. Boyd and the band have also stayed busy with their Make Yourself Foundation, which raises funds for a number of charities through selling meet-and-greet opportunities, bootlegs and other items.
To keep up with everything, Boyd doesn’t waste much time with mindless, frivolous activities.
“I like being busy,” he said. “I like pinning myself with these things. I don’t spend a lot of time idling in other ways. When I find myself idling, I’ll do my best to pick up a pen, or pick up a guitar or a paintbrush or something. There’s always an occasion where you don’t feel like doing those things. I’ll try and idle in a constructive way.
“I feel very, very blessed to do what we do, especially in the time that we’re doing it,” Boyd added. “It’s just strange and tumultuous, but also really a wonderful and exciting time. I just feel very, very blessed to be able to make art and make music for a living, for a way of life.”
