CIRCULATION: Bryan Senti
Bryan Senti is a Composer, Multi- Instrumentalist, Producer and Recording Artist based out of Los Angeles, California. His films have premiered at festivals around the World, including Sundance and the Venice Biennale and have been distributed by Lionsgate, Blumhouse and Magnolia Pictures amongst many others. Mezzanine caught up with Bryan to find out more about his background and the concept of his 'Circulation' Mixtape.
Where are you based at the moment?
Los Angeles
Can you tell me a little about the concept behind the mix?
I would say they all feel like dreams I'm vibing right now.
Are there any tracks that are special to you from your selection and why?
They're all special to me. But I think the joy exemplified in ‘Tezeta’ is something I haven't heard in any other piece of music I know - not by a country mile. It's such a unique mix of the repetitive nature of the music, and the quality of the recording.
Did you have a musical upbringing?
I've played the violin since I was three and then went on to study it all the way through graduate school. That said, my time out of school was equally important: performing with musicians such as Dustin O'Halloran, Feist, Mark Ronson etc. and living in South America and listening to the music of my parents.
What does your studio look like at the moment?
My studio is at my house and I have worked hard to make it a zen like place to work! All light wood and colours with a nice window to the outside. Gear wise, I have too many analogue synths and drum machines, but the things I'm most excited by now is my BURL DAC, my Wunder CM7 mic, D.W. Fearn VT-2 and my ATC 45s.
Tell us a bit about your journey as a musician. How aware are you of involving your personal experiences into your creative process?
I went from studying to be a serious classical musician as both a performer and composer to essentially improvising my way through classical and popular genres. It's been complicated to be honest but just now I'm starting to feel comfortable! So when it comes to incorporating personal experiences, I would say I'm hyper-aware, and it's been an obstacle at times. My journey has been more about loosening up on my personal experience (specifically education), and instead aiming to be more free and present in the moment. Music has literally been my therapy.
Do you ever think about who might end up listening to your work?
I do, particularly now that I have a daughter.
Which musicians and artists do you feel most inspired by?
Well, right now: Toumani Diabate, Dustin O'Halloran, Jyoti, Mulatu Astatke, Atahualpa Yupanqui.
How important is collaboration in your creative endeavours?
Really important, and that's why this year has been tough.
What are the key ingredients to one of your tracks?
My violin technique
Do you ever think about the visual element of your music while you're making it? Album art, videos, etc.?
All the time. Hard to not see things visually these days as I've worked on a lot of film soundtracks. I even gave a visual reference for this mix!
What's on the horizon for you?
Finishing a classical record, kind of inspired by Turan, that pulls inspiration from Latin America.
‘Turan’ is Out Now on 7K! Records. You can listen to his ‘Circulation’ mixtape below: