BETTER 'YES' THAN NO WITH KINDERCROWDCONTROL
The story of how 'Yes' was created from the music of KinderCrowdControl and Sandra Ban.
How are you living your best life right now? Edem: Mindfully staying in the moment, and giving my very best to everything I do. Keeping in my power and following my inner truth. Listening, looking, and responding to a beautiful life. Giving the best of me to myself, my art, my friends, my family, and the world.
Brett: By understanding that there are things that I can change and there are things I can’t, and by being happy with my choices. Talk to us about your new music 'Yes’! Edem: A little background; a few months back our fabulous “voice”, collaborator, and celebrated Croatian fine artist Sandra Ban, tasked Brett and I with creating a 7 part musical opus to accompany a live fine art performance she has scheduled for Croatia and Europe next year. One of these sections was titled “lounge”. Brett and myself weren’t sure what she wanted from us, so we requested an example of sorts to get us on track. So, she sent us an example, and Brett jumped on the opportunity to craft a “lounge” section using Chapman Stick, thumb piano, and sequencers. It was brilliant from the start. All I had to do was add my Voxbox riffs. Sandra was blown away and said she just needed to add the word “Yes”. She titled it on the spot. I call compositions like this “6 pack” songs. Musician friends who write a song over a six pack of beer; all in one session. These are usually great songs. Effortless, free, and kicking; born in a moment, everlasting, and true.
Brett: I’m really liking the new track “Yes”. It has a simple motif that allows room for other rhythmic/melodic voices to carry the tune in many directions. It grew organically from a simple beat layered with a repetitive melodic note progression with a distinctive tonal quality. It’s catchy. When did you know when the song is done, DONE? Edem: Well I’m sure I speak for many musicians when I say that, if you’re lucky, at some point in the song's evolution, the track tells you what it needs. Then it’s listening over and over until everything falls into place. During my time at the Art Center in Pasadena, I was fortunate to study with the great Harry Carmean. He dropped many diamonds on us advise-wise, one of which was: “You may have all the words, but does it make a sentence”?
Brett: That’s the trick. Art is very subjective to each person’s interpretation, which is further subjective to each person’s state of mind at the time they listen to the track. It’s further enhanced by the physical environment or situation in which it’s played. For Edem & I, we try to listen to a track over the course of many days under different circumstances before counting it “done”. We’ve even learned to give it a week more after we say it’s done before we count it as really “done”. Where did the title come from? Edem: Sandra was blown away when she heard the track for the first time, and was responding to my Voxbox line “It’s a beautiful word" and "It’s a beautiful world”. She said “Yes”.
Brett: Better “Yes” than “No”. How did you become inspired to make this song? Edem: Brett and I love what we do. We enjoy the journey of each piece. Besides my answer above, I’ll let him field this one.
Brett: Inspiration comes at us from all directions, and so having an outlet like creating music to channel that energy into is necessary to our mental health. We love what we do, and we’re getting better and better at it. How did you approach this song vs. songs past? Edem: No differently. Each song takes its own path. Brett and I continue to evolve in our songwriting and production and, knowing our sound, we give each composition it’s individual attention. This one happened really fast is the only difference. It wrote itself.
Brett: We approach songwriting the only way we know how: by recognizing when it has a life of its own, and then bending our performance “to it” rather than the other way around. The biggest advantage we have is that we act as a team with one goal in mind. Very much like a couple of shepherds tending a flock. Where do new fans go to follow you?
FB: https://www.facebook.com/KinderCrowdControl-178300222265468
Spotify, Instagram, TikTok, iTunes, Amazon Music etc: KinderCrowdControl (one word) Where can fans stream and support you?
Bandcamp: kindercrowdcontrol.bandcamp.com This is our hub.
Amazon Music: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=KinderCrowdControl&i=popular&ref=nb_sb_noss
What are you most excited about the new single? Edem: Stoked that it’s been #1 (twice), #2, and #5 on a new series of Spotify playlists! That our KinderCrowdControl music is resonating with people on this level is absolutely amazing.
Brett: We’ve been fortunate to have a PR firm, BsquaredMGMT, help us with exposure. Without them we would not have found the level of success we currently enjoy. We’re very excited to see “Yes” being added to a number of Spotify playlists thereby giving us a much wider introduction to a larger audience. Then to see the number of “plays” we’re receiving on the Spotify reports is awesome. Can you leave us with some inspiration for our audience and how they can live their best lives?! Edem: “To Thyself Be True”. Don’t chase what’s been done; at this point it’s old news already. Forge your own path. Celebrate your part in the play. This is what makes humanity wonderful; our individual voices. Or, as the great L.A. poet Charles Bukowski epitaph reads: “Don’t TRY”.
Brett: I would add, learn from where you’ve been - see where you are - figure out where you want to go, then do it. This life is all about the choices we make, so figure out the direction that will give you your “best life”, and then go. Also, don’t be afraid to make a choice. To quote Pink Floyd “No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun.”