At 9 years of age, Brandon Gurba started singing in choirs – this was his first taste of music. Throughout high school, Brandon sang and wrote for rock bands in New York. When he headed to college, he was inspired to pursue a solo career in music. Known as Gurba, Brandon performs tunes with influences from The Beatles and Frank Ocean. We had a chance to sit down with Gurba and discuss his latest single ‘Saw You There’.
Why did you decide to enter the music industry?
From as early as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be an artist. It’s always been my passion.
What can you tell us about your release ‘Saw You There’?
I was really inspired by Radiohead’s In Rainbows and Lost In The Dream by The War On Drugs. Those albums have a few songs that feature these looping, hypnotic instrumentals. I thought it’d be interesting to try something like that. I wanted to see how many flows I could incorporate vocally while still being cohesive.
What was the recording and writing process like?
The earliest version of the song dates back to late 2015. The tempo was much slower and the lyrics were completely stream-of-conscious. In 2017, I revisited the song with much clearer intentions of how I wanted the arrangement to go, so I tracked a full demo at my house playing all the instruments. In March of 2018, I programmed some stock Logic drums transcribing what I recorded from that home demo. The drum programming gave off an 80’s vibe and I loved that. I recorded the bass and guitars in my dorm room, but I also did some overdubs at my house. After finalising the lyrics, I tracked the vocals in a recording studio at SUNY Purchase called ‘Live Room’.
What do you hope people take from the single?
I just hope it leaves people inspired.
Which is more challenging for you – melody or lyrics?
Definitely lyrics.
Describe your music in three words.
That’s a tough one! At the moment, I’ll say warm, sincere and raw.
What do you think is the best way to discover new music?
I used to spend hours on YouTube where I found plenty of amazing artists. These days, I’ve mostly been using Spotify. Bandcamp is awesome too! I don’t think there is one best way; the internet is endless.
What does the future hold for Gurba?
I try not to plan too far ahead. For now, I just want to spread the word and keep making music.
What advice do you have for any person planning to become a musician?
Understand that your journey is unique to you, so don’t get distracted by anyone else’s. Have the mindset of a student and never stop seeking. Be yourself no matter what room you’re in and always trust your instincts.
Do you have any message for our readers?
Sure! If my music resonates with you feel free to reach out. I’d love to hear from you.
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