“I want to convey a new sound that bridges the gap between RnB/pop and dance music”
We’ve all heard the hit single “Body” but did you know Brando wrote AND sang on that track? Yeah… Me, either. Well, that single is approaching 900 millions streams on Spotify and he just dropped an EP titled Slip N Slide. He also appears on Don Diablo’s “Congratulations”, a song that has over 46 million streams on Spotify. The new EP is a ’90s inspired release containing some of his most popular releases to date as well as a brand-new production that serves as the EP’s title track. This dude came out of nowhere, but I’m grateful he crossed my desk. I was so impressed with his new EP I reached out for an interview. The EP actually drops tomorrow but we got the chance to spend some time together on the eve of the big release. It goes without saying, but it is a pleasure to introduce you to Brando.
Tell me about your new EP Slip N Slide. I really enjoyed it, by the way!
Thank you! I appreciate that. Slip N Slide is my first ever EP and I feel like the lead single (by the same name) really encapsulates this idea of ’90s inspired dance music that I was going for. I grew up on a lot of music from the ’90s and I felt like everyone is doing their own version of ’80s music right now so I wanted to do something a little different.
“Close To You” is good… I really like “Look Into My Eyes,” too. What is your favorite single on the EP? Is that even possible to choose?
I love that record, too. I think right now my favorite is “Slip N Slide” but I probably also feel that way because it’s my latest release. I think the cool thing about this EP is you can also hear the sonic progression I have being going through since last year and I think it is building up to something incredible this year.
Your single “Body” has over 890 million streams on Spotify. A few thousand are from me!
I LOVE that single, man.
Tell me more about that release. That drop is fire.
Yeah, that song is a classic, my first ever dance record as well. Loud Luxury and I go back quite a ways and I’m happy to see that “Body” launched both of our careers. I give Loud Luxury and Armada Music a lot of credit because initially every label turned down that record saying it wasn’t going to be anything, but Armada saw the song for what it is and really made it happen.
Speaking of Spotify, do you ever listen to This Is Brando?
I don’t because I don’t want to feel like I’m too into myself!!! But I do glance on it every now and then to see what artists Spotify has related to my music.
You are active on Instagram, Facebook… Twitter. Who manages all of that content? You are busy!
Myself right now, and honestly I probably need to be more active but I’ve always had an antipathy towards social media which is counterintuitive for an artist I know.
You worked with Matoma on “The Bender”. Tell me more about that single and your experience working with him.
I worked on the demo for the track with Diamond Pistols, a super dope producer, then he brought Matoma on and we made a bunch of edits to it to make it what it is. Matoma is one of my favorite DJs to work with because he is so humble and just a genuinely fun person to be around, so making this record was an amazing experience and we have further collabs planned with each other.
How do you know Max Montgomery? He took some amazing press photos of you!
Max is a genius. His photography is truly next level. It’s funny because the photoshoot was the first time I ever spent many hours in one day taking photos and now I can definitely see why it’s needed with a photographer of his caliber. He just knows all the right angles, lighting, settings and everything to make a photo look like a GQ cover. I can’t wait to work with him again.
Tell me about your experience working with Armada Music. Some big names on that label!
Armada has been an amazing label partner and I can’t say enough great things about them. They’ve given me so much creative freedom while also allowing me to have the backing I need to get my music out there and heard by millions of people.
What is your process like? Do you sit down and just start mixing or do sounds just come to you?
Honestly, I’m thinking about song ideas 24/7 in my head, so often I already have an idea before I even get to the studio. That makes things a lot simpler for the producers I collaborate with as then they only need to match up the track with the idea I already have rather than come up with something from scratch. But I would say I’m pretty flexible when it comes to songwriting, you never know what the right mix is to get that next big song.
What’s the best concert you’ve been to?
I recently went to a Marc Anthony concert with my fiancé and it was incredible. He is such an amazing performer to watch!
When you’re not working on your own stuff, who are you listening to? Who has inspired Brando over the years?
I listen to many different genres, as I don’t like to stick to only one. Right now I’ve been on a dance and country music wave, and previously I was really listening to a lot of reggaeton and salsa music.
What is that tattoo on your right arm?
A couple friends of mine passed away a number of years ago so I have their names tattooed on my arm in morse code.
What advice would you have for someone just getting started… Someone interested in singing or songwriting. Maybe to a kid sitting in his room mixing beats.
Keep at it and never give up. Music is one of those businesses where you never know when you’re going to make it, but if you don’t try you never will. It took me six years straight of being in the studio every single day working on my craft before “Body” really changed my career. It’s all about sticking with it.
I was in LA last weekend. Exchange LA is such a great venue! Where are some of your favorite places to see a show?
Exchange LA is one of the best venues without a doubt. I actually like going to The LA Forum because I’ve seen so many concerts there! The Greek Theatre is also an incredible venue.
What’s next for Brando?
My goal this year is to really focus on my craft and release music that people will love. At the end of the day I’m in this business for the love of making music so that’s what I will be focusing on.
Thank you so much for doing this. I enjoyed that. In all of the interviews I do, I always give the artist the last word. Go.
Thank you for having me and being such a great supporter of my artistry! Writers like you really bring out the more intricate and detailed side of an artist’s life that normally people don’t get to see so I appreciate that.
Connect with Brando:
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brando_(singer)
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/brando/1405597042
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5uEeqYFuIChoWKy34jp8xE
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meubrando
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meubrando
Armada Music: https://www.armadamusic.com/artists/brando
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/meubrando
