Artist Spotlight: Rad Brown

By A. DavisAug 26, 2024, 10:42 am0

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Artist Introduction

What’s your stage name and where are you from?

Rad Brown, born in Vacaville, CA and now living in Napa, CA

What’s the story behind your stage name?

The moniker I use for my ambient project is Radagast the Brown, a minor Tolkien character in the world of Middle Earth, which I’ve used since 2006. I wanted to keep a connection to this moniker, but since the music is completely different, I felt ‘Rad Brown’ would strike the right balance of separate and same.

Describe your musical journey in three sentences.

I’ve been a songwriter as long as I can remember who eventually started playing in rock bands, making hip-hop beats, and dabbling in electronica in high school. Eventually I taught myself how to produce keeping my fierce DYI spirit intact. Presently, ‘Rad Brown’ serves as my outlet for hip-hop; ‘Radagast the Brown’ serves as my outlet for experimental ambient; and ‘Skylight Motion Picture’ serves as my collaborative outlet for indie ‘cinematic pop.’

Fan Engagement

Share an interesting experience you had while creating your latest track.

With “Winningest,” I was excited to work with Bay Area hip-hop legend, Pep Love of Hieroglyphics. Of the album’s 20 tracks, this beat is one of my favorites as it unconventionally samples the theme song to the old clay-mation show, “Davey & Goliath,” which I used to watch at my grandmother’s house as a child. The theme is a trumpeted version of a Lutheran gospel song called “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”

What message do you want to convey through your music?

As the album’s producer and music-maker, my goal is to evoke the nostalgia and early, faint memories of those who experienced the same media consumption that I did, that for whatever reason, still remain in a romanticized place in my heart. All of my favorite music is instrumental, so even when the music I listen to is not instrumental, I’m always focused on that aspect more than anything. I want the sounds and melodies from old cartoons, video games, obscure VHS tapes, the scores of 80s films, old commercials, etc. that I sample to serve as a reminder to others who recognize them that we are part of a community of shared experiences .

Behind the Music

Tell us about a challenge you faced during production and how you overcame it.

One of the major challenges I faced in building out the roster of collaborators for my debut album was how to approach, communicate, and negotiate with artists more established than myself. My entire life in the non-music work world has required a strong level of professionalism and communication and I bring that consistency into the business side of my art. Being flexible with other approaches and mindsets, yet unwavering in my focus was a requirement to get to the finish line despite it being very stressful at times.

If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?

In the hip-hop world, I would have loved to have collaborated with Guru of Gang Starr, who is one of my favorite emcees ever. I’ve actually worked with many of my dream emcees on my debut LP. Other dream emcees I’d love to work with include Q-Tip, Aesop Rock, Nas, and Wu-Tang.

Future Aspirations

Where do you see your music taking you in the next year?

I try to keep my goals realistic for what my lifestyle and obligations are, but I foresee the next release being an EP and co-released with another artist. It took me 5 years to release my debut LP, so I think taking smaller bites will probably help me be more productive.

What’s the next big step for you as an artist?

Besides co-releasing an EP with an established artist, the next big step will be positioning myself as a hip-hop producer for hire that will be known for a more unique production based on a decidedly whimsical, nostalgic and romantic approach and less copy-cat of other producers who may have a more limited scope of what hip-hop is supposed to sound like.