From Guitar Chords to Yellow Bedroom Walls — Brandon on Latest Release, ‘Weep’
interview & review by Kyla Rain and Hector Castro
shot by Henry Jacob Munskgaard
Riverside musician, Brandon, is evoking emotion and pulling heartstrings with his first track of the year, ‘Weep’. Launching his music career from his dorm room three or four years ago, he’s accumulated a published discography dating back to 2018; each song holds an ocean of emotion, and this latest release is no different.
A sincere call to answer, Weep is produced on echoing melodies and emotional lyrics. His music video is an entry to an intimate moment in time; the warm white of a lamp light tints his bedroom walls, with a somber blue dusk outside his window. You see his bass lying on the wall, next to a computer desk and a chair. You’re invited into his bedroom studio, where you see Brandon lying on his sofa. Holding a coffee cup, he leans over as if he’s recalling a story, clear guitar tones following the camera as he begins his track.
“I'll leave this up for interpretation. It's personal, but that's about as much as I'll say.”
Throughout the entire piece, from guitar chords to yellow tinted bedroom walls, you find each aspect wrapped in a sense of self. When we had the chance to talk with him, we just had to ask — was this mirrored off of a personal experience he wanted to elaborate on? Brandon replied with only: “I'll leave this up for interpretation. It's personal, but that's about as much as I'll say.”
Weep is a sincere song of calm confidence and yearning question. He expresses a calm love-laden circumstance, just enough to open a sort of window to those who are listening. On his inspiration in setting the video within such a personal setting, he says: “The visual was an idea that my buddy, Justin Segura, came up with. He wanted to capture me in my bedroom where I create everything. I typically never let anyone in my space, but it felt right for this one, especially since we are currently living under stay at home orders. He's an amazing director, also a good friend. We're both really glad with how it turned out.” The composition of the video pairs perfectly with the song, adding an extra later of intimacy to an already personal piece - with dim-lit lighting, low (to a crawling sort) shots, exposed skin, and curled up postures.
“I typically never let anyone in my space, but it felt right for this one…”
Brandon’s honesty in his lyricism reminds me of what I’ve been going through at this time; that of overthinking, wondering if what I’ve said was the right thing to express, with hope to be understood. When asked if any particular line held more weight than the others, he simply commented that, “the song as a whole hits pretty hard for me. I can't really single out any lyric because of how deeply personal it is, and how much emotion is attached to every word. This song embodies an array of emotions that I've been feeling for many months, and still feel today.”
Without highlighting his image or confident stature, we meet Brandon’s vulnerable self. A welcoming into his music and person, without a doubt Weep stands out among the rest. A track honest to its character, and relevant to what we feel in the time of quarantine.
