In this interview spotlight, we chat with Des Brennan about this new project, We Were Friends, as well as influences, challenges in the digital age and more.
Full Q&A, links and a stream of the EP can be found below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I am a rapper from Pearl River, New York. It’s a suburb of NYC. I’d say I make honest,inward, and soulful hip-hop music. I think for the most part it is engaging and/or deep. I like to make sure each project of mine is different from my last. Each project revolves around a theme and is usually a reflection of how I am feeling at that point in time.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to stay the course?
I’ve always loved hip-hop ever since I was a kid. I was so intrigued by the wordplay more than anything. The rhymes always drew my attention, especially the complex and intricate ones. I remember in 6th or 7th grade I started writing and putting words together. The rhymes were actually pretty good too haha. It was then when I realized that this was something I could definitely do.
My biggest motivation is the comments, kind words, and messages I get from from people on how much they love my music. Alot of times they’ll even tell me to keep at it and never quit/ give up. It really is so inspiring to me. My other motivation is the people that don’t listen to it. I want to make sure that they will regret that later down the line. It’s their loss. My final motivation is to not work a 9-5 for a living. I do it right now and I have to admit that I don’t like it at all. But I have to continue working a 9-5 until I am able to make a living off of rapping; which will probably be awhile from now, but I am confident that it will happen one day. It really pushes me to fulfill this dream of mine and live my life doing what I love and have a passion for.
Who or what are your biggest influences when it comes to your creativity?
My biggest influences when it comes to creativity are exploring (hiking/traveling/day trips/etc.), nature, photography, television shows/movies, poetry/stories, history, art, sports, daily life experiences, the current state of the world, etc. I draw most of my creativity from all of these things.
My biggest influences in terms of musicians would probably be Nas, Jay-Z, Atmosphere, Aesop Rock, basically the entire Rhymesayers label. Little Brother, basicially all of 9th Wonder’s work. Kooley High, Oddisee, Mello Music Group as a whole, Common Market, Cunninlynguists, Asher Roth, Apathy, Mac Lethal, Oncue, Joey Badass, Isaiah Rashad, Kendrick Lamar, Nappy Roots, Mick Jenkins, Big K.R.I.T., JMSN, Marvin Gaye, Bon Iver, Jack Johnson, John Mayer. There’s alot more that I can’t think of right now.
I barely listen to hip-hop anymore honestly. I find myself getting much more influence from other genres now.
How is your new release different than previous ones? Did you set out to accomplish anything specific?
“We Were Friends” is by far my most personal project yet. Not only is it mightily personal but it is exceptionally bleak. With this EP I focused strictly on my current relationships with friends, old friends, family members, etc. I dug deep into how these relationships (or lack thereof) are affecting me. It is an EP that brings the listener into a dreamlike world. It contains many personal stories and explanations of situations that I have been in. It focuses on coping with personal failure and dejection. The EP has a poetic and nostalgic feel to it. Overall it is a record that any human being can relate to.
Do you face any challenges as an indie musician in a digital age? On the flip side, how has technology helped you (if it has)?
The main challenge of being an indie musician in a digital age is that literally anybody can put there music out there for the world to hear. No matter how good or bad someone is at rapping, they can still record a song and upload it onto the Internet. That is a big reason as to why so many people consider themselves “rappers” today. This can get in the way of actual talented rappers and musicians getting their music heard.The hip-hop culture reminds me of an overcrowded subway at this point. It seems like everyone is a “rapper” nowadays.
On the flip side it has helped me immensely. All of my music is online, so it would be much harder to get my music heard without the Internet. It has definitely helped expand/build my fanbase and get my name out there. My music can be listened to by people all over the world, thanks to this digital age that we are in. It is truly amazing. My music is literally at everyone’s fingertips.
How do you feel about streaming services? Any romantic attachments to the physical formats: vinyl, 8-track, cassettes, CDs?
I love CD’s and vinyl. I still continue to buy CD’s all the time. I get a nostalgic feeling every time I buy a CD. There’s just something special about it. I have a whole stack of CD’s that I keep with me when I drive around in my car. I always look froward to expanding my collection! Streaming services are appreciable as long as they pay the artists that are featured on their site/station. But It seems that Artists are getting next to nothing from these streaming services. So someone who pays 8 bucks a month for Spotify is basically listening to a bunch of 10-15 dollar albums for free. That shit ain’t cool. Making music isn’t cheap.
Where can we follow you online and hear more music?
- soundclound.com/des-brennan
- soundclound.com/des-brennan
- twitter.com/desbrennanmusic
- instgram.com/dessyraps
Anything else before we sign off?
Support your favorite Artist. Do what makes you happy.
