Having already racked up millions of streams for their releases to date, Chicago-based outfit LowDown Brass Band recently returned once again to offer up their toe-tapping new single 'Call Me'.
Capturing more of that smooth and funk-filled soul aesthetic they are known for, 'Call Me' makes for a brilliantly fun and engaging listen. With its bright and swaggering groove matched with some glittering vocals throughout, they are certainly looking to get us up and out of our seats with this one.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with singer and trumpeter Shane Jonas and MC Billa Camp to find out more about their origins and what has been inspiring them recently.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The first instrument I fell in love with was the drums. My Uncle played and sang, and I used to lay on the ground and watch his feet.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
My upbringing was a little bit different than most because my family had a gospel group that toured around Texas and the southwest. So I loved gospel music, but I to be honest I have always loved good music no matter the genre.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Besides the gospel and country albums my family already had, I remember getting a tape of Micheal Jackson's thriller from a garage sale when I was about 11. It changed my whole life.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
For me, it's "Love's in Need Of Love Today" by Stevie Wonder. It's just such a beautiful song with such a profound message.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
When you are a songwriter your whole life you find that songs come to you in many forms. However, the process is always different. Sometimes a song flows as if it was written before and everything flows out of you like water. Others may take weeks and months to perfect. Best thing to remember for me is that it is most important to finish. I like to remind myself that when the universe picks you to create something the most important part of the process is getting it out there. Good or bad.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Lately, we haven’t been listening to one specific artist but we’ve been listening to a lot of dance music. Producers and groups like Michael Bibi, Bhaskar, Tropkillaz, Vintage Culture, Austin Millz, Cobrah and many more. We listen to all types of music. One minute we could be listening to Miles Davis the next minute we’re listening to Don Williams. Having such a wide range of tastes only helps to understand the nuances between genres. Which helps an artist make better creative choices.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
There are so many acts we’d be honored to open for but it’s not necessarily a question of who, it’s more like a question of where. Madison Square Garden, Red Rocks, Hollywood Bowl, The Gorge Amphitheater, Teatro Antico di Taormina, Dalhalla Amphitheater, Arena of Nîmes are all iconic venues that any musician would be proud to grace the stage of.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Travelling is by far the most rewarding part of being a musician. The places you get to go and the people you get to meet enrich your quality of life through these experiences. The key is to appreciate these moments and understand how lucky we are to see the world while doing something we love. We’re truly rich in experiences.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The most frustrating part is adjusting back to regular life when we come home from the road. The longer we’re gone the harder it is to adjust. It’s like one big detox.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as an artist?
Never forget the person you imagined yourself to be. Meaning, it’s easy to loose sight of that vision when encountering obstacles along the way but holding true to the idea is how you persevere.
Tell us about your new project 'Call Me' and the production process behind it.
The ruff draft of “Call Me” started out with a 4 on a floor kick drum pattern, funk bass line and sparse horn lines with the intention of leaving enough creative space to find the right vocal performances. Later, we went back and further developed the horn lines to complement the vocals once the lyrics were written. Lastly, we added rhythm guitar and strings to further accentuate that disco funk sound.
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LowDown Brass Band's new single 'Call Me' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.