Interview with Brightside and His New Joker EP

I was lucky enough to interview Erik Tully, the man behind the Brightside Movement about his experience growing within the Northeast and how his multiple collaborations have influenced his work. His recent release of the Joker Ep reinforces many of the points touched upon throughout our interview, so read below for an intimate look into the mind of Brightside and listen his newest release available for download and stream below.

Album Review-

A spatially cognitive album, Brightside’s Joker Ep balances uses of multiple forms of percussion with imaginative sounds of nature. Journeying through layers of striking synth and riding bass, the newest EP from the Queens native provides an audio journey through a multitude of focuses giving listeners the ability to plug in and tune out from the outside world during it’s six-song expanse.

Download Joker EP Here

Interview-

TSS: You’ve been releasing music since 2014 under Brightside. Do nerves still play a role in your performances?

Brightside: Definitely yeah I’m still get pre-show jitters most of the time. theres very few shows where I’m not coming into it without like at least some sort of anxiety, and being like, are people going to show up, is it going to do well, are the promoters going to be happy, this and that. Theres always something, maybe i care a little too much as cliche as that is, but i want everyone to have a good experience so when I’m not throwing a show i want the promoter to walk away with money and be happy to book me again. Theres always some nerves wether its performing,or financial, whatever it is theres still some nerves going on. Its not just about me being fucking happy and doing what i want to do, its about the people allowing me to do what i want to do so i have to scratch their back a little too.

TSS: That ties in a lot into the Brightside movements mantra. It shows how your trying to give back to all your supports. Do you have any examples from fans that demonstrated that movement?

Brightside: Umm i don’t know, i feel like thats on me right now. Its not like I’m not feeling the love, i definitely am. Right from the jump, people have been super supportive of this, more than i deserve you know? Theres way better producers out there and people who are way more technical. Knowing more about Ableton, production and music theory but right now I’m making it my priority to create a fanbase. Making something for people to get around and kind of have similar focus to bond over. I think thats on the artist to a point before the fans run with it right off the bat. I havn’t released too much music, i havn’t done that many shows or big appearances so i think in due time we’re going to see what the Brightside Movement has to offer.

TSS: So your making the initial moves in the movement.

Brightside: Its started with me, and i just got lucky enough where its started to pick up speed. It actually caught on to being a “movement” recently.

TSS: Well luck only goes so far. You have to have talent to garner such a following. In two years you already have a solid following in the northeast

Brightside: It feels wild honestly. I’ve seen so many producers who I’m like, “Should i really have this spot?”. I think like some of these guys deserve more of the limelight. Their producing is just way cleaner and more technical and they’re thinking way outside of the box but like maybe their promotion or marketing isn;t there ya know? I feel where thats where a lot of Djs nowadays kind of lack, and thats not their fault. They’re in this for the music but if you tie marketing and all of that into it you’ll see results quicker, and luckily I have and I’m blessed because of that.

TSS: You touched on a point of how producers are thinking out of the box, but you yourself are mixing many genres as well. In the Apex EP theres a lot of musicality there where you were drawing on middle-eastern themes, representing your logo and the album art by Kooz. Was there any back and forth between you two about the music and cover art?

Brightside: You know what, i might have sent him the EP, like a rough draft of it. I think i was constantly sending him updated versions and giving him a rough draft of the idea i had in my mind of what we should do for it, how it should look, the simplicity of it. I don’t think i can take credit for it, it was definitely Kooz’s spin on an idea i had and put his flair on it.

TSS: Thats awesome. You sent him material and he sent back the visual representation of what it could be?

Brightside: Yeah, yeah, i’m ninety percent sure thats how it went. That I sent him some stuff first and was like “Lets see what this conjur up”. I like that, it doesn’t have to be exactly what I’m thinking and especially with a guy like Kooz, give him artistic freedom. He’s pushing the boundaries of a whole different visual school, thats a whole different game for me.

TSS: Thats not something many artists are doing nowadays. Okay next question, ummm.

Brightside: We do research here. You did your homework, i see it haha.

TSS: I know, I’m digging here haha. When curating an album, what songs make the cut?

Brightside: So for right now, i’m in the process of releasing another EP. Ive been sitting on this one for a little longer than i have with any other piece of work and its been fluctuating with like three tracks, to four tracks, and all the way up to eight tracks. I was like “Should i make an album?” But i don’t really think I’m ready for an album. When i do release one i want it to be super diverse and the best I can be ya know? I don’t think I’m there yet, there are many more styles i need to conquer. I probably release only 50% of what I make, little more or a little less, but i’ll pretty much go with whatever vibe i want to go with. Apex was a little slower, Future Abstract was a little more up and down and thats where i want this next one to go. A little more progression of my sound. Recently my stuff has been getting quicker, a little less downtempo and dreamy. Right now im focusing on different styles and seeing what compliments each other for an EP. Things get saved for later to be included in future works or kept in the vault.

TSS: I’ve seen that style progression in your Camp Bisco sets. The first set showed that progression of down-tempo and midrange into multiple speeds and tempos. Not all artists can do that live, and it seems to be an equation your beginning to master.

Brightside: I don’t want to say mastered, but I’ve definitely fuckin picked up some tips and tricks from Bassnectar ya know? He really showed us all how to do that right and integrate a little of everything. It get boring after a little while, even for myself. So if its not for the same people coming to every northeast show, its for my girlfriend and I to keep her occupied and interested.

TSS: Your from Queens. In the intro on E.T. with FireJay you mix that up-down tempo with hip-hop. Are there any rappers from New York you’d want to collaborate with?

Brightside: Ummm dude Action Bronson hands down. Thats my fuckin dude, he’s from the town right over from me. Like i have a few beats he’s inspired and I want to send them over to him when their ready and be like “Listen I’m fuckin straight out of Queens. I’m with your movement.” I really respect that he’s recently re-put Queens on the map. He’s kinda made it where I feel obligated to be like ‘Fuckin Queens baby all day!”

TSS: Reppin’ the hometown!

Brightside: I’ve seen people respond to that, but i want to be a hometown kid from all over. I want to make rounds, but Queens will forever be the spot.

TSS: You’ve recently sold over 400 tickets for your Basslights after party. How excited are you for that?

Brightside: Thats the most pre-sales we’ve had ever done hands down. Ben’s had a lot to do with that but I’m super excited about it. Im pretty ecstatic id say. I’m been kind of shakin in my boots for awhile. It’s going to be the perfect blend of just getting everyone in the right place at the right time, its not too far from the venue, and its going to be a great time.

TSS: I think people are expecting big things and they’re going to get big things.

Brightside: I think me and Vibestreet are going to be doing some big things in Colorado, and some big things this week. Some collaborations with Wax Future. We’re really trying to make it all a family affair. Have a bunch of sets that are interlocking with everyone jamming out.

TSS: Well you guys have a three show in Colorado, so thats going to put you on the map in Vibestreet’s territory.

Brightside: Yeah man I’m excited, we’ve got the headlining Denver show and then two shows co-headlining with Vibestreet after that. I’m excited man, Colorado baby!

TSS: How important is Colorado right now for this type of music, and what is it going to mean going forward?

Brightside: I think it’s huge. With the whole Red Rocks sound ordinance shit it may dampen things a bit, but Colorado is so progressive while taking in the scene and adopting it. Its formed its own genre of electronic music with the Pretty Lights music. Its all spawned out of that area and made it a melting pot in Denver as a music city.

TSS: The Brightside live project, I’ve heard its in the works, i heard your mixing in live instrumentation.

Yeah definitely, its been in the works for awhile and I’ve been working with a few different people. I think I’m just waiting fo the right opportunity to jump with something good. I’m looking into a drummer. I think Wax Future is looking promising. Keith shreds on guitar, that dude is fucking crazy. I’d like to collab or have him play a cover. It’s gotten pushed to the back, but I havn’t forgotten about it at all.

TSS: its on the back burner for now

Brightside: It’s on that slow boil haha.

TSS: Random fun question. can you name an album from any genre that has influenced your music?

Brightside: I’m probably going to have to go with, ATliens or something like that. Yeah probably Outkast, I’ll go with that. If i could be anyone, id probably be like a white Andre 3000. He’s just so swagged out and then they’re lyrical the fucking best. They’ve been so good for so long and he’s a good actor too so theres that.

TSS: How was the process getting the Joker EP together? Quicker than past bodies of work, or longer?

Brightside: It was longer but that might have been a good thing in the long run, Most of this EP has been done since the summer and instead of just putting it out on Soundcloud, i was advised to send it to some Record labels but there was no bites i decided independent is just the best bet for this one. The track Namedropper was only started about 2 weeks ago, It just seemed to flow right out and finish up the perfect time felt like it fit the vibe of the rest of the EP really well.

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