#takeitallaway

STRATA: What artists, in particular, you are drawn to (alive or deceased) that you listen to for particular moods? Such as happy/sad/contemplative/etc… Explain why you might listen to one artist for a particular mood.

Brand of Julez: Every time I listen to Chris Cornell or Scott Weiland I become deeply saddened. Its always unintentional when it happens but I've always connected to their music and once they passed away, it made it a little difficult listening to them. They were people just like us that struggled with their demons every day, just like us. And they lost the battle. Those are two particular artists that do it for me when  I'm sad. When I'm in a good/happy mood, I always enjoyed listening to Buckcherry. They are just straight up fun rock n roll. My dad took me to all their shows during the '15' tour when I was 13 lol. It brings back a simpler time, just being a kid and going to all these rock concerts with my dad. Good times.

 STRATA: Do you have a process you go through prior to writing, playing, and even performing?

Brand of Julez: Yeah when it comes to writing there is a process. Usually starts with a riff or a melody and from there we start building. We know we got some fire cooking when the verse/chorus are catchy. Once we feel we got a good solid ground to build from there, we start layering. There really isn't a process when it comes to performing. We down some shots of whatever is available at the moment as a band and go out there and kill it.

 STRATA: Your own current project, discuss the process your music went through as you built each layer. From beginning to the end of it. (Even the artwork and merch that may or may not be apart of it.) *This is your time to be as in-depth as you would like over your current project, remember an interview allows you a platform in which to sell your music to old and new fans.

Brand of Julez: Songs go through a crazy process. Some start out one way and by the end, it's totally different. That process happens between a cross of being in the studio with the guys and completely hating what you wrote LOL. Which sometimes that can be good because it can push you to sing a better melody or write a better riff. And, sometimes it can be a complete nightmare and take forever to finish songs. It's tough because I always want to "up" the next song or album we put out. I'm proud of everything we release but when it comes to the next body of work, I want it to be better. Some good to come out of that and some bad, lol. But when we start to run with an idea and it's being written, the rehearsal studio is where all that magic happens.

STRATA: Can your music personally be open to change in the world of artistic exploration? In Other Words… how comfortable are you as an artist exploring other types of music and creating projects that might be totally different than what you are creating now?

Brand of Julez: I am 100% down for that! Brand of Julez is a heavy rock band but me personally I've been reconnecting with some old roots of mine and listening to more blues/R&B. My dad was in a blues band during the '90s and tore it up all over NYC. So Blues and Rock n Roll was introduced to me at a really young age. But as I got older I started listening to more current music that was a lot heavier and started down that path. But in recent months I've been going back to my roots. So i would love to add some more bluesy vibes in our music. I also grew up and currently reside in The Bronx so hip hop is apart of my life and culture really. There are so many bands coming out bringing back "Rap/Metal" but delivering it slightly differently, calling it "Trap Metal". I love it and would be so open to adding some hip hop to our music as well. Producers! Hit me up with some beats!

STRATA: Are you open to change your style, genre even, and how you approach what you create every time you enter a studio? Or do you find once you have a formula in place do you find it best to stay with what you know? Many times artists will change how they approach their songwriting and even their recording staff/producers.

Brand of Julez: Yes, I feel you have to be open-minded with changing your genre. When its the right time and when it feels right though. A lot of artists do so for this reason or that reason and its so fake. I hate it because your fans can see through the bullshit. So really at the end of the day your disappointing your fans. I'm open to change styles of music but it has to make sense and feel right. You can't really plan those kinds of changes, it happens naturally as you grow as a person. I do feel though when you have great chemistry with a recording facility and a producer, you should stick with that. When it comes to recording, every aspect can affect the record. Your surroundings and the people you work with are super important. If you found what you feel is a "dream team" Run with it! They bring out the best in you! At least our producer does. We worked with Mike Ferretti last year re-mixing our debut album. A friend recommended him and told us he recorded the last 3 Sevendust albums. I was sold! lol. The album came out amazing and we enjoyed working with him so much, he's working on our new EP. And after that cycle, we'll be coming back to him for another record.