BONZIE – Reincarnation

By starrymag | May 20, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) A very specific perspective, coming from someone who takes influence from a wide array of musical sources.  I guess that doesn’t actually describe a sound but hopefully it gives an idea of what to expect!  “POP!”

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I love Daniel Johnston’s music and there are some records I always go back to like those from Judee Sill, Jim O’Rourke and Joni Mitchell.  Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of 30’s and 40’s classic film/musical music, like the music from Annie Get Your Gun and Gershwin written stuff… especially sung by Ethel Merman.  The songs are great.  A lot of that stuff still feels modern because the melody and songwriting was so good… and Ethel is forever.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Caves.”

 

A) “Caves” is the first song off Reincarnation.  It’s describing a relationship and an addiction: this thing that exists in the psyche that is arguably the number one plague of humanity.  We’re kind of wired to fall into these caves and it’s not really our fault as a people.  But maybe we’re looking for something in there?  Something we lost long ago?  The repetition of something also kinda numbs its surroundings and creates a sense of endlessness.  It’s a kind of re-harnessing of time itself, stopping time, sort of thing.  A push and pull between control and loss of control.  I wanted it to be the first song so time could stop— hang-ups could kind of be let go—so you can enter the magic of the whole process of the record.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) Well, maybe just the raw amp’d guitar feel. [laughs]

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) It’s always different!  I don’t need to write my music pre-writing lyrics, no, but a good 70% probably go right along with the music composition.  I’ve written lyrics without music (I guess at that point it’s maybe a poem then? [laughs]).   Sometimes if my process is the same each time, I consciously try to switch it up—it’s not a linear exercise!  So, I try to make it not feel that way.

 

Q) DJ Camper and Yeti Beats lent a hand in production. How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) I like to be really deeply involved in every aspect of production… not so much because I particularly want to per-se, but because I don’t think other music/movies/games/artistic projects are good when there isn’t a singular passionate player driving it.  My favorite movies tend to be ones that a single person wrote/directed/produced etc.  I think there’s something inherent about it that’s good and healthy for the end result.  That said, when other people bring something to the table that you wouldn’t have on your own, that’s when the magic happens.  It’s somewhere in positive collaboration and strong vision.  I’m very aware of the organization of the record-making process so that when it’s time to be creative, you can completely let go and have an effortless back-and-forth.  The mutual collaboration aspect is fun, which I think adds life into the production inherently.

 

Q) Please tell us how the theme of Reincarnation carries throughout your new album?

 

A) It’s my take on the era we’re slowly moving into.  Reincarnation is the best way for me to tell it.  Each song on the record might describe an emotional checkpoint of the journey… and an aspect of the theme.  God knows there are a lot of feelings attached to the last year – and likewise the next!!!!!  I think the record exercises all of that and challenges a glimmer of hope to appear—there are some key ideas that can open the sky a little bit for a brighter future.

 

Q) What songs off the album hold a special place in your heart and why?

 

A) have a fond memory of writing the last song, “Come to Me.” So, I think that’s always going to make me smile when I think about it.

 

Q) What tracks challenged you the most to create?

 

A) “Heavy Rain” was a bit challenging since I played the piano all the way through live without a time signature.  This made it a little harder to add other elements since there was no metronome to play to.  It also makes the song flow naturally, exactly as I wrote it, which is why I didn’t want to use a click!  I’m happy about the decision… but yeah, we had to really feel it out to be able to add strings etc.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners of your new album Reincarnation carry with them from listening to it?

 

A) I hope it gives you a feeling of possibility.  It’s really hard to imagine the future right now, but if we feel hope, real – REAL hope (not fake hope… there’s a difference, I’m only interested in providing real hope), anything is possible.  I don’t want anyone to lose that.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) It would be awesome to do something with Lewis Capaldi… I absolutely love his songwriting!  I’d also love to contribute to a Tyler The Creator record… just interested in his process too… I think he makes great records!

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

 

A) Today I’ve been digging a new song released by my friend Yohei called “Edge of Your Dream.”  The production is insane… He puts so much detail in and he has really good taste.  Also, loving the group clipping and their track Blood of the Fang… just really great lyrics and vocal/production rhythm dynamics happening.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) Receiving notes and comments on social media from people across the world is one of the most exciting things.  That’s what music sharing is all about.  I’m so glad I’m able to have those interactions through social media.  I’m hoping that I’ll be able to play live shows internationally someday, but for now, just sharing my music with people around this country and world is something I’m really grateful for.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Thanks guys!  I’m really glad if you can take something away from what I make!  I appreciate you!