BA of the Week: Brian Bergeron from the Band Mr. Kind

Every week we feature a different person from the community shedding a little light on their life of brokeitude. Who knows, maybe you’ll learn something about the human spirit — probably not.

Wanna be a Broke-Ass of the Week? Holler at us here and we’ll send you the questionnaire.

Our featured broke-ass this time around is Brian Bergeron, the lead singer and songwriter for Mr. Kind. This is phenomenal timing because tomorrow, August 15th, Mr. Kind is having their EP release show at Bottom of the Hill. As you can see there’s a sound cloud thingy below but you can also peep this video to hear more Mr. Kind music. Read below to see Brian’s answers to our grueling questions.

Name: Brian Bergeron

Age: 29

Occupation: Lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Oakland-based synth americana band Mr. Kind.

What neighborhood do you live in: Ivy Hill by Lake Merritt in Oakland

Best money saving tip: Have loads of consumer guilt

What do you refuse to spend money on?: Bougie Ice Cream

Most expensive thing you’ve ever bought: Car

How’d that feel?: Because of the aforementioned consumer guilt, any major purchase comes with anxiety and regret, free of charge.

Favorite cheap eat: Trader Joe’s has various frozen indian dinners and sides. If you combine a few of them with a cup of a brown rice, you’ve got two or three meals right there.

Favorite dive bar: Kingfish Pub + Cafe, Oakland

Best deal you’ve ever gotten: I recently had a ton of my music equipment stolen out of my garage and because I had the sympathies of many folks, I got a cut rate deal on a pair of PA speakers. A silver lining on a terrible situation.

Favorite free thing to do: Walk around Lake Merritt

If you woke up a millionaire, what’s the first thing you’d buy?: A year traveling around the world

Despite not having money, do you still love your life?: I do. I play music for a living so I win.

Do you own my book?: I don’t but after leafing through it, I bought a copy for a friend who is moving here.

Best hangover cure? Waffles but that’s more of a panacea for anything.

Are you a hipster? Yes. I didn’t think about it too much but my girlfriend (who doesn’t live in the Bay Area) found it quite novel when we started dating and reminds me quite often.