Aidan Makepeace, has a fitting last name that expresses both his political views and the message he wishes to spread through his music. When asked whether or not he has legally changed his last name to its current form, he just smiles in response.
"This reminds me of a time in Barcelona, Spain when I was robbed while trying to prove my identity," he laughs, "I'm not falling for it again!"
Aidan's travels have taken him far and wide, his music and songwriting always helping open doors and introducing him to new friends. Following the Makepeace family's year-long motorhome tour of the U.S. (when he was fourteen), Aidan again circled the USA at Eighteen years old, only this time traveling solo on a motorcycle. His choice instrument on this trip? A violin.
Later, Aidan would live abroad and travel extensively throughout Central and South America, and Europe seeking adventure, learning languages, and always with a pen in hand for writing down song ideas. "We were always taught that the pen is mightier then the sword. I kept this idea close and never left home without one. Money was optional, but definitely I carried a pen."
During high-school Aidan started the first family band which included brothers Liam Makepeace on Bass, and Finian Makepeace on afro-latin percussion. "A few people mentioned at the time that we should call ourselves 'The Makepeace Brothers' but we just weren't ready for it." The band started out being called Redrum Snug (Guns Murder, backwards) but eventually became Oculus. Under the latter name Aidan was responsible for writing, recording, and producing 3 full-length studio albums (I Dream I'm Sleeping, To Arms, The Smallest Blue) and several other live recording and video projects. Oculus performed through 2005 when the group began working out a plan to move collectively to the West Coast. Eventually, this gave way for the opportunity to regroup and join together again, this time with all four Makepeace Brothers.
Aidan writes about 1/3 of the Makepeace Brothers song roster, including 'Hero', 'Wake Up', 'Lovely', 'Soft-Side', 'Coco', 'Juca' and many more. In 2008, Aidan recorded on 'the blue album (EP)' with the brothers Finian and Ciaran, and in 2010 on "Slow Down Feel Love" with (for the first time ever) all three brothers: Liam, Finian, and Ciaran.
"I want to move people, to stir them, to shake them up. I would like to see this show used to bring together many peoples of different origins into a sort of forum where ideas and community can come together. I would like to make music that keeps alive the dreams and visions of youth and encourages all who hear [it] to follow their own hearts."
"When I was just a kid, I remember I would sing along with my mother and father around the campfire, and before bed. I liked it and I enjoyed the attention when they would compliment my singing. Since we had no TV, we listened to the radio all the time during the day. I would imagine myself a singer like those I heard and would pretend to put on rock shows with my brothers, bouncing on the living room couch with broom guitars. So when I got old enough to realize life is about living out your dreams, there was no option for me except to try my luck [at rock and roll]. A band is different then just playing music. It carries a greater message of community and reaches more people. Playing music with my brothers feels like the best thing in the world"
