INTERVIEW: J. Bruno — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

J. Bruno

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THIS interview finds me talking with J. Bruno…

as he discusses his latest single, Lose Yourself. The Danish artist tells me about his musical upbringing and what he has planned going forward; a new act we should get behind – I ask whether he will come to threw U.K. and play at some point.

J. Bruno reveals what he does away from music and a few albums that mean a lot to him; how his work has developed since the very start; what he wants to achieve by the end of the year – he selects a great song to end the interview with.

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Hi, J. Bruno. How are you? How has your week been?

Hi there! My week has been good. Got back from N.Y.C. on Friday. I was there to play three shows. Then, I was offered a support gig in Denmark for Yellow Days (from the U.K.) on Monday.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

My music is all about love and everything that comes with it.

Lose Yourself is your new song. What is the inspiration behind the song?

Lose Yourself is a song that I wrote on an electric organ that I have in my living room. It has a drum machine built in it so I was kind of just playing around with that.

I believe an E.P. is coming up. Are there particular stories and personal experiences that inspired the music?

Well. All the things that I write are, on some level, based on personal experience. I’m not through selecting the songs for the E.P. so I can’t exactly say what they are about yet. But, stuff that happens to me, things I feel an urge to express - or just things I find funny to say out loud.

Which artists did you grow up around? Were you raised in a musical family?

My mother’s side of the family introduced me to Classical music. Her brother and sisters are all Opera singers, pianists and such. So, I have attended a fair share of operas and symphonies. My father was a Ragtime pianist and he loved the rhythm and soul of the ’80s.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

Hopefully, I will have made enough money to buy my mother and sister a decent Christmas present.

How do you think your work has developed and progressed since the start?

There was a time when I didn’t think about what I was doing: I just did it. Then, all of a sudden, I became aware of this, that and the other. The past couple of years, I have practiced getting back to that state in which I just let things flow. That was the main reason why I went to play in N.Y.C. I wanted to improvise the whole thing, which I did. So, before I went there, I bought a lot of new equipment I didn’t know how to work. So, I had to do stuff intuitively. I learned a lot from that experience.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?

When I was five, I remember hiding a C.D. from my drum teacher because we always had to play stuff from it. I don’t know why I didn’t just tell him that I wanted to play something else. I was always a shy kid.

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

That always changes. But, three albums I always enjoy listening to are Blonde on Blonde by Bob Dylan; A Night in Tunisia by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers and H’art Songs by Moondog.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

If I could support any musician? I’m not sure I understand the question (smiles). My dream rider includes hot sauce, Danish pastries; blood from a bat and sparkling water.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

I’m not sure that I am in a position to give anyone advice on how to built a career. But, the best things that have happened to me have always come from surrounding myself with good people and keeping an open mind to new creative ideas.

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

I do have one show that I’m really looking forward to be playing. But, I’m not allowed to reveal the date or the venue as of yet. Keep a look out. I’ll post about it first thing when I get a go from the promoter.

Might you come to the U.K. and play at some point?

Definitely. I have played a bunch in the U.K. with John Hassall of The Libertines and I always enjoy it. Love the country, the food and, of course, its graceful ladies.

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

I get a kick out of listening to the debut album by Danish duo Kogekunst. But, I’m really bad at finding out about new artists. You really should ask my sister Julie about that.

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

No. I don’t lately. I do boxing with my homeboy Benni when I have the time. He used to box at a really high level, so I learn a lot from him.

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Thanks! I will probably go with Pigmy Pig by Moondog