Describe the heart of your latest single and how it came to be?
Edem: The latest Single is called Što Da Radim. Sandra Ban, the celebrated Croatian artist, and our wordsmith extraordinaire, proposed combining a traditional Croatian folk motif “Što Da Radim” or ”What To Do?’ with our KinderCrowdControl music. Next, she sent us soundbites of her singing this motif and we looped them into the track. The amazing thing is she usually never hears the music before sending her vocal riffs, but these invariably perfectly fit both the vibe and the tempo of the songs- it’s quite incredible. Her insights into the songs concept/subject matter, which is the part we do share with her in advance, always compliment the songs and add a broader dimensionality which is so unique. We are very fortunate to have this long distance, but effective, working relationship. We are creating a video to go with the release that will be done in the next few weeks.
Brett: Što Da Radim is light hearted on the surface, but like so many of our songs, leaves enough open for the listener to go deep.
Sandra: The original cry of the soul – ethno wildlife mix with digital music = contemporary music poetry.
What kind of change do you want to impact with the song?
Edem: Well, we are discussing covert climate engineering, which is a subject many are unaware of, if not unwilling to admit to. These operations are a core cause of the planet’s dire climate issues. So, we are providing a talking point to raise awareness about this subject; beautifully framed, of course. This is what we do as a group; our compositions are conceptual.
Brett: Change starts from within. Do Sandra’s lyrics mean “Excuse me” or “Excuse you”? Do we understand that each of us views life differently from one another, and that we need to open ourselves up to seeing reality through another person’s eyes. The challenging question is: do I see black and white the same way you do? Can I accept your point of view? Can you accept mine?
Sandra: To make humanity aware of the importance of connection with one’s true interior, whatever it may be. To face one’s virtues and weaknesses. To rise and act through virtues and to transform the energy of weakness into positivity. By settling one’s thoughts, and deciding that the problem is not a problem, but a life creative challenge for yourself, but also in a way that our actions have no negative effects on the people around us or the environment. In short: do what you would like others to do to you; do it first, but from the heart, without expectation, and it will come back to you, maybe not through the same source and the same shape, but it certainly will.
Who did you share with the song first?
Edem: At the prompting of our close friend Mitch Steele, we launched our kindercrowdcontrol.bandcamp.com site, and this is where we debuted the piece. After this, we released it through the other outlets such as Amazon, iTunes, Spotify etc., etc. that we have used throughout our career.
Brett: Besides Edem & Sandra, my family is always the first to hear anything new. Then we float out advanced copies to a few “Super Fans” to see what they think. We like to pause for a week or so at this point and let the sauce marinate before finalizing. Just in case. From there, it’s sent on its way to world domination.
Sandra: Edem and Brett do marketing, I only share with my best friend.
What has been the fan reaction to it so far?
Edem: People seem to really like it.
Brett: Fan reaction has been great. We get more play time with each new release, so we must be doing something right.
Sandra: It’s interesting to everyone at first, and then it just becomes something that they can’t stop listening to.
Take us through the time and effort it took to be able to release the single?
Edem: Our releases tend to take a month or so to create. Brett or I will come up with an idea, record it, and send it to the other. At this point we are moving forward together, and share ideas until we can get together to record the next phase. We then bounce these back and forth until we have something that really inspires us. I usually have a rough concept in place when I reach out to Sandra in Croatia, and share the concept with her. Sometimes we will send her a list of questions, in answer to which, she send us recordings. These we insert into the tracks and, as I mentioned above, our pieces take on a new dimensionality which is unique to our sound. In this case, Brett and I were working on an idea centered around my 16 string double neck lap steel (which Brett urged me to take out of mothballs and compose a piece with), when Sandra happened to contact us with the concept of marrying the Croatian Folk motif “Što Da Radim” with our music. As per our blessed usual, the sentiments, vibe, and tempos of the two matched perfectly.
Brett: I don’t think about songwriting in that way. I used to, but haven’t for many years. Because of today’s technology it costs very little to deliver a quality song. Time? Yes it’s going to take some time, but like any good meal, it needs time to cook. Effort? There’s very little effort; we’re doing what we love to do. It’s no different than breathing.
Is there an emotional part of letting go of a song?
Edem: Yeah, pure wonder for me! I really love what we do, and I know it shows, so every time we release a composition, it’s cause for celebration. We always love our latest track the most, so releasing new music is such a high for me. I have come to a place where I have pretty much divorced myself from music business expectations in regards to “success” or “failure” of any particular track- thank God! We make music to please ourselves first and, hopefully, these tracks will affect others as they hear them. We can only do our best to create beautiful sounds and vibes; after this we can let them go and move forward with the next composition.
Brett: Of course there is. This emotion is at the heart of any Artist’s craft. The awesome thing about music is that it’s an artform that’s meant to be shared, so the act of releasing a song is always seen as magical.
Sandra: Edem and I have some telepathic moments when we hear each other, without notice and without arranging, it just happens. Then we start talking like we heard each other a few minutes ago even though we haven’t heard from each other for days, weeks, sometimes months… I say something in my bad English, and he finishes my sentence… then he says or asks something and I just let it come out of me, like when I create a picture or a sculpture… I don’t know how, but he always understands everything I feel and say, we are always on the same wavelength. Art and the desire to express that depth, the only truth that unites all living beings, leads us both. Edem then does the same with Brett through melody.
Is there an amusing moment that makes you smile when you think about the journey of the single?
Edem: Yes, jumping through hoops to get my lap steel strung and cared for at a notable guitar shop in L.A. The luthier was great, but the shop owner was less than welcoming due to Covid restrictions. If it weren’t for my neighbor, the amazing Carlos Guitarlos, putting the call in for me, I wouldn’t have been able to get through the door. Just dealing with the dynamics of that interaction was hilarious. Part of the journey for sure. It’s what we are willing to go through that often determines the outcome of a situation. As Charles Bukowski famously said “It’s how you dance through the fire”.
Brett: Always fun to have Edem’s cat Imm crash the recording session. Good thing we’re not paying by the hour, right?
Sandra: Oh yes, we always do everything through laughter. Everything is always deep and serious, we do not like anything superficial, but the feeling of satisfaction, wit, laughter is always present. Without such energy, the songs would be just banging notes. Feeling is very important.
What is a kind word that was imparted with you that you hold onto?
Edem: “We love your sound” conveyed by Rachel on behalf of the team at BsquaredMGMT. Also “Love this” (in regards to Što Da Radim) by Mitch Steele; we rely on his discerning ear for our “finish/final sound quality”. Both fantastic.
Brett: “Nectar!” Shouted out during a gig by an audience member.
What are kind words you’d like to share with us?
Edem: Thank you for the interview! So very grateful for everyone involved in our team; we are so very blessed. A Big Thanks to everyone involved in getting KinderCrowdControl’s music out to the world. Also a shout out to Marco Rocha and his Transmission Lima for spinning our stuff before anyone else. Gracias! Huge hug to Sandra in Croatia; Her words and sunlight are mana to me. And to Brett: so happy to be on this fantastic voyage with you my friend. The music keeps getting better. Finally to those who have donated their musical skills to our sound: Toby Karlin, thanks for the great sax and killer drums and percussion; Thea Ulrich a big thanks for the beautiful vocals. My son Griffen for inspiring me as a person, and as an amazing pianist; so proud of him.
Brett: Everything you need is between your own two ears. Listen to the playback of your performances, and don’t settle for OK. Fix it. To add to Edem’s answer, thanks to BsquaredMGMT for helping us reach more listeners, and thanks to Edem’s son Griffen for his contribution on piano.
Sandra: Don’t dream life, LIVE your dream every single moment.
Thank you for this positive interview! How do fans follow you?
Thanks for asking! Remember: KinderCrowdControl is one word!
BANDCAMP: kindercrowdcontrol.bandcamp.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/adam.elesh.94/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/KinderCrowdControl-178300222265468
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=KinderCrowdControl&i=popular&ref=nb_sb_noss
And most importantly stream your music?!
Spotify, Apple Music, Instagram, and TikTok: kindercrowdcontrol
Sandra: art sandra ban
URL: https://artaxis.org/sandra-ban/
URL: https://artsandraban.wixsite.com/sandraban
www.sandraban.art
“artists do not create objects, they leave traces of humanity”
For Press Inquiries: bsquaredmgmt@gmail.com
End of Interview