INTERVIEW: Brooke Benson

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Hi Brooke, welcome to VENTS! How have you been?

Thanks So Much! I’ve been doing great, lots of work preparing to release this Project! A true labor of love indeed.

Can you talk to us more about your latest single “I Am The Sun”?

“I Am The Sun” was inspired by my believe that we are inseparable from our environment and the natural world around us.  That we derive strength and wisdom from the generations that came before us. I am the sun is really about stepping into our own power, remembering where we came from, honoring our connection to nature and the bonds we have with each other that is truly a healing force. Transforming our darkness so to speak. We are currently taking more then we are giving back to this planet right now. It’s time  become more aware of how we can do small things to positively impact this earth in our own way.

Did any event in particular inspire you to write this song?

I think it was a confluence of events from being in nature, hiking, traveling, gathering with friends, that felt like such a healing force on my mind and heart. I often feel so drained from technology and I’m completely recharged when I just go for a simple walk or sit in nature and hear the Owls converse and the birds sing. It is really so simple. The indigenous people understood the balance of give and take. How to utilize plants as medicine to heal and awaken people. This song came out of my desire to show the symbiotic relationship that we have with all sentient and insentient beings and things on this planet.

How was the filming process and experience behind the video?

The filming process was an incredible experience.  The first shoot day was at the beach at Sunset under the Venice beach pier. The video was shot by Wesley Forsyth who made the shoot feel so natural and effortless. He really captured the essence of what I wanted to convey in the song so perfectly. There was a synchronicity to it all.
It was literally one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen. We were playing the music and I was singing along and Violin playing and the people standing on the pier were dancing along an taking photos. It was so sweet actually.
The second day of shooting we went to Coral Canyon in Malibu up in the Mountains. We hiked in over rocks to another picturesque landscape with jutting mountain formations and a rock spiral. Another epic sunset. I felt like I was in a dream.  It all felt a bit surreal.

Why naming the record after this song in particular?

Every song on the Record is so diverse and explores so many themes from growing up in LA to the complex emotions of love to stories about family and loss. At the heart of it all though is this theme of our interconnectedness. That we should never forgot who we are. That it is an illusion to think we are separate from each other, from our environment. I am the Sun is a reminder of the light that can never be dimmed, the light that we can always shine to illuminate even the most negative of situations in all aspects of our lives.

How was the recording and writing process?

It was so much fun and also really challenging for me. It was hard to capture the magic in the studio that we created Live at shows. I kept changing the mixes over and over again on a few of the songs. I kept adding things and taking it away. I also rewrote a few songs about 4 times until it felt right. Other songs just poured out of me and came very easily. I loved the creative process but it was so hard for me to just leave it, trust and let go. The songs were like a blank canvas that I just didn’t know how to stop tweaking and making perfect. It was a powerful process though and I learned so much about patience, trust and breaking through fears.

You brought some really special guests into the mix – did you handpick them or how did they come on board?

I handpicked a few guests and the other musicians I met through playing live with my co-producer/violinist, Chris Murphy. I played at different venues and house concerts with them and we really were able to develop our sound and work things out organically.  I’ve know Eric McFadden for many years and always admired him as an artist and I had performed at a few of his shows.  DJ Bonebrake from the legendary LA punk band “X” played on a song–he played live with us at shows. I tracked most of the record with Michael Jerome who is one of my all time favorite drummers. Everyone on the album is truly so special and talented and added so much to the mix. Andreas Geck added incredible baselines and Nate LaPointe was on point on Guitar.

What did they bring to the table?

They brought so much to the table. Their unique skills and professionalism.

My style of writing and vocals are very rhythmic: Spoken-like verses and sung choruses and it is essential to have musicians who can weave their magic to keep you in the pocket and on track with the flow and pentameter of the song. All the different instruments really coalesced to bring everything together with very unique sound.

You get to experiment with different sounds – was it easy to balance them together? How did you approach this mixing and blending?

Yes this project is very experimental. You might usually pair my style of writing with an electronic beat or just very scaled down drum and bass. I loved the Violin with with a hint of bluegrass with my rhythmic storytelling style on, “Go with the flow.” I wanted to add in different styles and sounds to balance everything out on all the songs. Back in the Day had a vibey beat with violin layers and a hip-hop feel. I wanted “I sing for you” to transport you to a jazzy lounge. To have each song take you to a new place rather then create an album that just sounds like one long song.

What role does LA play in your music?

Well I grew up in LA and have never moved. I’ve traveled extensively but so theres no escape from talking about my stories, impressions and influence that this city has had on me. It has helped shape the person I am today and is highlighted in my song and special homage to LA, “Back In The Day”.

What were some of the human emotions you get to explore on this record?

I got to explore so many emotions! From love and loss to honoring our previous generation’s stories and struggles to growing pains and reconnecting to ourselves and the earth around us. You know the complexities of being human and finding a way to overcome our struggles in our own unique way.

Where else did you find the inspiration for the songs and lyrics?

Breakups and heartbreak were usually a huge inspiration for my lyrics. I know many can attest to that. Also, my frustrations of what is happening to this planet because of greed, lack of awareness and ignorance. Most importantly the inspiration from the sheer joy of being human. How to tap back into the joy through our shared stories and realizations. We need to hear each others stories. Like all ancient traditions and cultures who gathered to pass on wisdom and traditions. That’s how we create change. The artists voice. The people’s stories. Realizing that we are not alone and we share a very real human experience. It’s comforting and healing in these trying times.

Any plans to hit the road?

I’m currently playing around Los Angeles and I’m open to many possibilities of hitting the road.

What else is happening next in Brooke Benson’s world?

I started recording a couple of new songs that I actually wrote years ago. As always I’m exploring new sounds and I’m excited to see how it evolves. I look forward to changing it up.