Royal Brandy is an Dutch based house music artist with a feel good sound we love! We spoke to him recently about his new “The Setup” Ep and how his 2023 has started off for him…
Hey RB, how are you, what’s good and bad in your world in 2023 so far?
Let’s start with the bad: I have a lot of music in me, and I need more hours in a day. The good: this music being released is such a great thing. Plus, I’m able to make room for the other music I was working on, so that’s even better. I am really thankful for being able to do what I do.
What inspired the new one on Vivent Records? What was the aim?
I guess I just wanted to do House music with great soulful vocals, first and foremost. But also introducing elements that I think we don’t get enough of, like funky basslines, beautiful Rhodes and Wurlitzer sounds. It’s almost like creating old new memories. So last year I was able to put together a bunch of great collaborations. Such talent and the result blows me away!
Does where and when you write music affect what comes out?
Not really. This music lives in my head all the time and the challenge is to materialize every single idea AND find time to get some sleep. I wish I didn’t have to sleep, like ever! But I can focus pretty much anywhere so I am able to make the song what I wanted to make, regardless of the setting. It can either be the studio, a 3-hour flight or a sunny vacation.
Do you capture your emotions at the time or are they more considered than that, designed with a certain place in mind?
I take mental snapshots of that moment. And music is also a way to both express and process whatever feeling I am experiencing. It’s such a great therapy.
What gear do you use in the studio to make your music and are you a gear or software nut?
I have been using Pro Tools from pretty much the beginning, so it’s been almost 20 years for me. I have worked with Logic Pro as well and it’s such a great tool, but Pro Tools makes more sense to me. Gear or software? Both! I am a nerd and I love the tools, the hardware and the plugins, I actually read every single product manual.
I remember this rockstar saying how this generation doesn’t know the smell of a LA-2a and real tubes, and I do get his point. But today we can insert as many plugin LA-2a’s as we want and enjoy the ease of instant recall and portability. So I’m all the way plugins: Spectrasonics Ominsphere and Trilian, Arturia instrument plugins, Plugin Alliance, SSL channel strip plugins, as well as recording guitar, bass and drums at home. Regarding the debate what sounds better: virtual or analog? I’d say use what you can afford. I am just happy that money is becoming less of an issue or impediment. You can make music on a shoestring.
Tell us about the vibe of the label and what music you look to put out?
Vivent is French for “alive”. Music is supposed to make you feel something, and this music is intended to make you feel alive, present. I also embrace the musicianship, and make stuff that a band could be playing live as well. You wouldn’t want to be the bass player that has to play a single note thing for the whole song, right? I want people to feel that it is ok to use extended chords, or borrowed elements.
How important is format, merch, the visual identity of the label?
Very important actually. We are developing a concept, and it’s top secret for now. But the visual identity will turn into an experience.
Would you like to do albums and be a platform for other artists or is it just about dance floor tunes?
The goal is to be a platform. I want to meet like-minded DJ’s and artists in general who dare to create music with their sonic imprint in it. To me, one of the biggest compliments as a musician is when people recognize the music as being yours. You have a sound, and they know it.
What else have you got coming up?
So the first EP is out. There’s 3 songs in there, featuring Wayne Tennant, Janai and Joi Cardwell. I have another 3 EP’s coming out this year with such great artists like Sheree Hicks, Inaya Day, Michele Weeks, Dawn Tallman and Rona Ray. I am also releasing more music as a duo group. This will be officially announced in a few months and you can expect a moody introspective vibe, genre-bending dance music.
Royal Brandy’s “The Setup” EP is out now on Vivent Records
Grab it here
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