As we hit ten days of celebrating LGBTQ2+ creators we are switching it up a bit with a conversation with Indie musician Krystal Brown. She creates music that has a dance/ambient vibe with some splashes of world music thrown in. She was nice enough to hang out with us and talk about her upcoming album.
She has a new album coming “I” out from https://www.grimalkinrecords.com/ in April and will be available on Bandcamp.
Q) You have a new album coming out “I” your first album was “Lady Sisyphus” seemed to be introspective while you sophomore release “Sugar Free” focused more on the dance tracks. What were you trying to do on this album?
“I” is also incredibly introspective but with more “updated” beats…it’s not as much the singer/songwriter vibe that “Lady Sisyphus” was. On “I”, I deal with mental health, the loss of a pet and more. I also have a few guests on this album including rapper ElementalK and singer LaToya Brobbey. They bring their own perspective to the project as well. I’ve never had a guest rapper on a project before. So, “I” is more modern and slick, yet still introspective.
Q) Do you have a set procedure when it comes to writing songs or do you wait for inspiration to strike?
When it comes to writing songs, I think about what I want the song to be about and I use an index card method. Like, one verse will be on a card, another verse on another card, and then the bridge, chorus etc., get their own cards. And then I can mix the cards up in a way that flows best to me. I do wait for inspiration to strike, but I don’t wait too long. Sometimes I have to give myself a push and just sit down and do it and the thoughts will begin to flow.
Q) You have a couple songs dedicated to our furry friends including Thumbelina and We don’t deserve you. Are animals an important part of your life?
Yes, animals are a major part of my life. I rescue animals. “Thumbelina” was about the loss of one of my pet rats. She was a gray rescue rat and had a pituitary tumor. If you get to know animals, you will see that they all have distinct personalities like humans do and they want the same things out of life that we all want (i.e. to be safe, comfortable, have good food and social contact). I have three rescued cats. Perseus (a brown tabby kitten), Mr. Squeaky (a big gray “dust” cat) and Sylvester (a tuxedo cat with a heart murmur). I also have several lizards, frogs and rodents.
Q) What has been the most challenging part about trying to succeed as an independent artist?
The most challenging part of being an independent artist is to get people to listen and to get your music “out there”. Major labels have the big bucks to do this for their artists. And even then, sometimes artists really don’t “make it” and fade into obscurity. Marketing (and the money for that) is the biggest challenge. I don’t find making music to be difficult at all because I like it. However, the music business is just not music, but business as well. This business element and the politics of it all bums me out sometimes. It should be about the music and talent of the artist instead of appearance/age/number of Instagram followers.
Q) if you could tour with one singer or band, who would you choose?
I think I would choose Depeche Mode. I think they have shown incredible versatility from the synth beats to guitar driven tracks. I have liked all of their albums really. Martin Gore is an incredible songwriter. Just about every song they’ve released from “Black Celebration” to “Here is the House” to “Nothing’s Impossible” has been a gem. Their music has dealt with topics such as drug addiction on “The Sweetest Perfection” to depression on “Black Celebration”.
Q) What were your musical influences growing up?
My mother listened to a lot of oldies and Motown style music growing up. So, I learned to appreciate the voice for what it is…an instrument. Those singers could really sing. As I grew up, I started getting more into dance music such as La Bouche and Real McCoy. I also went through Depeche Mode’s catalogue and loved that even though they started making music before I was even born.
Q) If people want more information about your or your projects or to pick up your music, where should they go?
You can check out my social media. I try to keep it updated. Here are some links. They can also just search “Krystal Brown” and the title of one of my songs and albums. I try to keep my internet presence visible.
Latest single “Thumbelina” : https://open.spotify.com/track/1c2blYHIjFyHfVVhgZlb7D
Krystal Brown on Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/krystal-brown/1336362602
Krystal Brown on Tidal : https://tidal.com/browse/artist/9451861
Social Media Links
Bandcamp:
https://krystal3.bandcamp.com/
Soundcloud:
Twitter:https://twitter.com/krystal_muzik
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/krystalbrownmuzik/
Professional Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/krystalbrownsinger/
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/KrystalBsMuzik
Facebook Artist Page:
https://www.facebook.com/krystalmuzik/
Final four questions –we ask everybody
Q) When the zombies take over the world where will you be?
Zombies?! Wow. I guess I will be hiding in my home with the doors locked. If the zombies only come out at night, I will have to make sure I am home before dark like Will Smith on “I Am Legend”. But then you have to consider quality of life….who wants to be cooped up scared all of the time? Maybe I’ll just let them get me and get it over with.
Q ) What is your favorite Fandom
I love Star Trek. Star Trek has always been a very progressive show and they’ve had it all from female captains to America’s first televised interracial kiss.
Q) What piece of art, be it in the form of music, a book, a film or picture, do you think people must experience before they die?
The a-ha song “The Sun Always Shines On TV”. I love Depeche Mode, but this is my favorite song. Really listen to the lyrics and the bridge is just a gorgeous sonic experience.
Q) Give one fact that most people would not believe about you?
I have never owned a car. I grew up in a household without a car. We walked and caught the bus. As an adult, I have traveled over the U.S. without a car using Greyhound or Amtrak. Now, I get around using public transportation and my adult tricycle. It has a basket on the back where I can store stuff. Sometimes my animals will ride in the back (secured in a carrier of course).
Paper Phoenix ink 