Before their performance in Bengaluru, Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme virtually conducted an exclusive interview with Bangalore Times. Whenever the American rock band Extreme puts on a show, they observe that a large portion of the audience consists of new fans, typically around 70-80%. Nuno Bettencourt, the band's guitar virtuoso, expressed appreciation for long-time fans while welcoming the presence of younger faces in the audience. The group, also featuring vocalist Gary Cherone, bassist Pat Badger, and drummer Kevin Figueiredo, emphasizes the importance of connecting with their supporters through music. Reflecting on their journey, Nuno shared insights on growth and the evolution of their creative dynamic within the band. He likened being in Extreme to a complex marriage involving three individuals, highlighting the challenges and rewards that come with collaboration and artistic expression.Being married to multiple individuals can be quite challenging to navigate. It requires carefulness and diplomacy, as there are moments of both love and hate among the parties involved. Pat Badger, Gary Cherone, Nuno Bettencourt, and Kevin Figuereido from Extreme believe that AI can enhance rock and roll music. They express that while some people worry about AI in music, they believe that rock and roll's uniqueness lies in its imperfections and emotions, which cannot be replicated artificially. They emphasize the importance of music making you feel something rather than just sounding good. When it comes to songwriting, the band mentions that they follow a traditional structure and see it as a complex art form. They highlight the challenge of conveying a story effectively within the constraints of a song. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of being cautious about sharing opinions on social media to avoid alienating fans and harming one's career. While social media has its benefits in connecting people, it also has limitations in promoting healthy discourse and understanding.It has become increasingly challenging to have meaningful exchanges and learn from one another. People tend to focus on proving themselves right rather than engaging in productive discussions. Personally, I have faced difficulties due to this mindset. Even with a supportive fan base, it only takes a few individuals to twist your words or intentions, leading to misunderstandings. People seem eager to find faults or reasons to criticize, rather than fostering genuine understanding.

Embarking on a non-traditional path, such as pursuing a career in music, comes with its own set of challenges. You willingly embrace fame, fans, and the loss of privacy when you reject societal norms. Complaining about these aspects, in my opinion, is insincere. Such experiences are part of the package deal the moment you decide to pursue a musical career. It can be exhausting, particularly during the band's early days, but the dynamics have evolved over time.

Being a member of Extreme is akin to balancing multiple relationships simultaneously, which requires tact and diplomacy. Such a dynamic is demanding, even more so than a typical marriage. Embracing these complexities is key to navigating the band dynamic successfully.

I believe that there is nothing wrong with being commercially successful as an artist. True artistic expression can coexist with commercial success, enhancing creative opportunities and reaching a broader audience.A true artist is someone who plays for the sheer joy of it, without needing validation or praise. Once you seek applause, you compromise your artistic integrity. Many artists claim they are not sellouts, but in reality, they sell their music, merchandise, and their image. While this is acceptable, it does deviate from pure artistry. As we grow older and lead separate lives, it becomes challenging to create music together like we used to. However, we make an effort to collaborate whenever possible. Extreme is scheduled to perform at Bandland 2024 in Bengaluru this November, and tickets can be purchased on BookMyShow.