Tempo Talks: A Conversation with Brian Lambert
THE RELEASE
Brian Lambert, the constant creative from Denton, Texas, possesses a musical mystery that defies norms and transcends bounds. His sonic odyssey spans from the transformational Country Music Jesus era, tp the contemplative journey of "Before This," the bold 52 Week Music Production challenge, and the breakthrough symphonies composed alongside The Star Crumbles. His music allows audiences to dance, croon, and explore life's profundities with a harmonic combination of classic 80s and 90s rock kissed with a contemporary flair. Brian is a member of the alt-rock band The Star Crumbles, whose sound is rooted in the nostalgic echoes of 80s new wave and emerges as a refreshing modern enigma. Brian's mesmerizing vocals and the band's limitless energy serve as the foundation.
Brian Lambert's latest album, "Wild," is an auditory excursion through a kaleidoscope of genres, spanning from garage rock to grunge and even plunging into the uncanny regions of lo-fi horror hip-hop. What distinguishes this opus is Brian's extraordinary talent for interlacing these distinct threads into a seamless musical mosaic, resulting in an exciting listening experience. The album's title track, "Wild," acts as its throbbing heart, capturing the album's wild energy, while "Don't Tease The Zombies" adds an exciting seasonal touch. Brian's innovative takes on classic songs like Gorillaz' "Clint Eastwood" and Nirvana's "Breed" demonstrate his distinct aesthetic vision. "Wild" is a tribute to Brian Lambert's unfettered musical experimentation in an era where genre borders are simply suggestions.
THE INTERVIEW
If you had to create a Mount Rushmore of inspiration, what four individuals molded the artist you are today?
Thank you so much for the opportunity to talk. That's tough one but let's give it ago. Britt Daniels of Spoon for the musical inventiveness and subtle layering, Jason Isbell for always bringing the lyrical fire and making sure you don't serve up garbage lyrics, Damon Albarn of Gorillaz and Blur for being ever adapting and seeking out new ways to collaborate with other artists and David Bowie in how to be an artist.
Were there any personal experiences or stories that influenced the creation of the album, and if so, how did they shape the final product?
I suppose the biggest personal experience would be the pandemic which kicked off my 52 week music production challenge. Before that I was very much attempting to fit into the Americana music box. Once I was freed of playing live I was able to explore whatever songs I wanted. You can hear that as you go through the album, one very different song after the other. I suppose the other big thing was learning how to collaborate from afar using the internet. This album most definitely has the fingerprints of other artists bringing their own flavor to things. This album wouldn't be what it is without the help of other people.
How did you approach the selection and arrangement of the songs on this project to create a cohesive and impactful listening experience for your audience?
You've maybe seen the Rick Rubin sentiment floating about of creating for yourself. I was already coming to that conclusion on my own and hearing that thought crystallized it for me. I really picked the songs that I thought would making an interesting flow like if I was listening to a cool playlist that stayed interesting throughout. Having so many songs to pick from because of the challenge made it fun. It was my intention to make it as fun as possible. In order to glue it together I mixed and mastered everything at the same time so that it felt cohesive. I believe that even though the songs are varied they fit together very well.
How do you see this album representing your artistic evolution or progression, and what new elements or techniques did you experiment with during its production?
It's such a long arc of couple years and I also changed dramatically as a person during that time. I got into intense trauma therapy and that changed my entire outlook on life and changed the the process of how I made art. Before I felt like I had to prove something and by the end of making the album it was all joy. Infusing that into the process and keeping my priorities straight. Music can only bring joy if it's made with joy. So from here on out that's the number one priority. In terms of element I do think there is a level melding electronic and electric guitar music together that I hadn't done before and I don't know how frequent has been done if ever. If this album is able to accomplish anything it would beginning to end talk about genres in popular music. I don't see the need for them anymore.
Can you share any memorable or profound moments from the recording or writing sessions that had a lasting impact on you personally or creatively?
I'd say the whole process of the 52 Week Music Production challenge had a profound effect on me. One in terms of my confidence. I set off on this crazy impossible quest and I finished. There were so many moments where giving up made sense but I kept going. That really opened my mind to the possibilities about one can accomplish. It also helped me learn how to prioritize and the importance of making a little bit of progress everyday. I've maintained that level of productivity and can say that I am able to produce things even faster than before. That kind of feeling in terms of being able to bring your vision forth in timely fashion altered my ideas about what can be done.
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