Brandyn Burnette – Feature Films

By starrymag | January 23, 2017

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) Progressive Soul. Deep, dark and self-produced.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) My stepdad O’Bryan did R&B/funk in the 80s and it really inspired me. Coldplay and John Mayer were my two most played artist in my adolescence. Now, I listen to a wide range of things thanks to Spotify, but I’m loving Local Natives, Banks, Jon Bellion, new John Mayer and some electronic music.

 

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

 

A) I created “Escape” while I was very invested in the HBO show “Westworld,” which explores the mind and consciousness. The beat happened over the span of two days. I wanted to express the idea of killing off the negative things about yourself that no longer serve you. It initially started as a part two of an existing track “Manifest” that is on the new EP.  At the end of the two days, I found myself producing an entire track that was way longer than an interlude or B-side. I thought I was done with the EP and there I found myself with the first single.

 

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

 

A) I think if fans are connecting to anything it’s the creativity in the music as well as the vulnerability in the lyrics. I want my audience to feel like they can heal from this music and sometimes that means channeling the deeper side of life. I didn’t want to control the emotion coming out of me. I really wanted the music to evolve naturally and the song to be effortless. I felt like I achieved a new dimension to my headspace by the end of “Escape” and that’s all I can really ask at the end of the process. The song took me on a journey instead of the other way around. How people connect to it from there is out of my hands. But so far the reaction has been positive and I’m happy to know that I’m not alone in my feels.

 

Q) Which track off your upcoming EP Feature Films means the most to you and why?

 

A) I’m probably most excited about the last track “20 Years From Now” because it happened after I thought I was finished with the EP. Again, I let it unfold without thinking about it too much. I recorded live organs and live vocals, which was really cool because it ended up being the vocals that are used on the record. It has a very “live” feel to it, while still exploring my production landscape.

 

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

 

A) Now that I’m producing I’ll write to small pieces of music that I create. But my favorite way to write has always been its an instrument in hand; preferably the piano or keyboard.  I always feel like the most organic thoughts come out when I’m opening my mouth for the first time. It’s all downhill after that. [laughs]

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) On my first EP Made of Dreams I co-produced three of the tracks, but primarily had help from two producers. On the 2nd EP State I’m In, I produced six of my eight tracks, enlisting one producer from Made of Dreams and a couple other collaborators on two tracks. On this EP I’ve produced four of the six tracks completely myself. On “Escape,” I had additional elements from an up and coming producer named from Florida named Shndo. The sixth track was produced by another amazing producer overseas named Saturday Monday that I’ve recently teamed up with. I’m very excited to eventually produce my full length album on my own.

 

Q) Will there be videos for all the songs or just certain ones off the EP?

 

A) There will be a video for the three singles. The first one is for “Escape” and it is almost done and will be out start of February.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Brandyn Burnette performance?

 

A) Fans can expect to have a lot of fun. I love to jump around. I also love jamming out on the keyboard. I’m always sweating by the end of my sets. They can also expect a guest appearance from Molly Moore. She’s always performing with me, whether it’s the music I produce for her or our duo Cosmos & Creature or supporting my solo music. We’re actually heading on tour Feb 23rd-March 12th with Call Me Karizma.

 

Q) What songs off Feature Films are you most looking to performing live?

 

A) I think the title track “Feature Film” and “Manifest” are probably going to be my favorite play live.

 

Q) How does it feel having the official song for FOX’s Superbowl? 

 

A) That is just crazy! If you would’ve told me that I was going to write that song on my 26th birthday I would’ve laughed. If there are any aspiring songwriters out there, always say yes. I could’ve said no to that session because it was my birthday. I worked hard and it’s really special to see it pay off.

 

Q) How did you come to collaborate on it with Boehm on “Let’s Give It a Shot Now?”

 

A) I actually did a writing session for Astrid S with my friend and her A&R passed on the song. I loved the chorus so I sent it around to a few managers I know. Boehm’s manager took a risk and sent it to him. A few weeks later, we had a finished version and a game plan for release on Armada. Those moments always remind me never to give up on an idea I believe in.

 

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

 

A) I’d love to do a song with Flume, he’s got the most forward electronic sound I’ve heard yet. I’d also love to do a duet with Banks. I’d also love to do write and produce a song for Zayn Malik. Dreams…

 

Q) What can fans do to help promote your music?

 

A) Come to a show when I’m on tour! Save my songs when listening on Spotify. Share the music. I want my streaming audience to know that I’m grateful they listen! I’m not in it for the money, but I do appreciate fans who support the artists they love. Without those core fans, we can’t survive to create.

 

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

 

A) To me, connecting with fans is equally as important as the music. I see my personal success as being able to inspire and connect with others over something I love to do. If you take the connection part out of music and you only make it about the numbers, then you’re not leaving any legacy behind that can help someone. At the end of my life, I want my fans to remember me for my impact on them while I was around. That’s all you can ask for as a person, let alone as an artist with a platform in music.

 

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

 

A) Thank you. You keep me going. You’re the reason I make this. Thank you for pushing me to be more honest, to be more myself, to work to be a better version of myself every day. Trust God, trust your instinct, aim to do good and never stop believing that you were meant for something beautiful.

 

 

Catch Brandyn Burnette on tour in 2017!

2.15 – Train Cruise: Sail Across the Sun

2.16 – Train Cruise: Sail Across the Sun

2.17 – Train Cruise: Sail Across the Sun

2.18 – Train Cruise: Sail Across the Sun

2.23 – Lansing, MI

2.24 – Columbus, OH

2.25 – Philadelphia, PA

2.26 – Amityville, NY

2.27 – Howell, NJ

2.28 – Cambridge, MA

3.2 – Pittsburgh, PA

3.3 Newport, KY

3.4 – Elgin, IL

3.5 – (HOMETOWN SHOW) St. Louis, MO

3.7 – Dallas, TX

3.9 – Flagstaff, AZ

3.10 – Tempe, AZ

3.11 – Los Angeles, CA

3.12 – San Francisco, CA