Following the launch of one his most atmospheric and evocative contemporary releases yet, we caught up with artist and songwriter Brandonrxse, to dig into the sound and substance of the drum and bass meets trap single Rather U Lie. Here’s the conversation in full.
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Hi Brandon – always great to catch up with you, and the new track is incredible. Tell me about the making of this one – how did you write, record and producer Rather U Lie?
Thank you, I really appreciate it! The beat just found me, and the song was pretty current to what was happening in my life at the time, so everything came together quickly. I wrote the hook in probably five minutes, recorded the melody for the verse, and then came back the next day to finish it.
I’ve really only been working with the homie Offbeats lately, so shout out to him for inspiring me and what we’ve been creating. We have a lot of unreleased songs and Rather U Lie felt like the right one to let out, I’m really proud of it.
What made you want to contrast the drum and bass lightness and uplift with the RnB / trap vocal style and the ambient production?
Honestly, that’s all Owen. I didn’t really think about it — I just started saying the first thing that came to me in whatever tone felt right. I recorded it around 6 in the morning, so I think that probably had something to do with the way I delivered it.
Nothing was overly calculated. I just let myself react to the production and whatever I was feeling in that moment.
What inspired the sentiments behind the song?
It’s about being afraid of what honesty might destroy.
How important is a truthful take on women and romance to your music?
It’s important to me because my music is where I can give my most truthful, raw take on both. It’s hard for me to be vulnerable outside of music. It’s not that I don’t want to be but at this point in my life, I’m comfortable admitting I don’t really know how to be.
Given that you clearly focus on the depth and style of the music above anything surface level like image and social media, what would you say your main goal is for the year ahead?
My main goal is just to keep developing the sound until I get to a place where I feel really good about putting out a full body of music.
I want to stay inspired, too. I understand that a lot of inspiration comes from within, and sometimes we spend a lot of time searching for something that’s already there. But for me, being around the right people and in the right places is what brings the most out of me.
When we last spoke you mentioned the new project Hollywood Forever – what’s happening with that and when can we hear it?
Hollywood Forever is still very much alive. I’ve been taking my time with it because I want the project to feel like a complete world, not just a collection of songs.
When it feels finished, ill know. Until then, there are probably a few things I need to disappear and figure out first.
Is there anything else we need to know?
You’re good enough.
