Dance music, much like every genre, has its fair share of turnover. New artists come and go regularly, with very few leaving any sort of lasting impression. But Haitian-born DJ/producer Michael Brun certainly hopes to be one of those few. Having already established himself as a major player in the progressive/electro house scene, with each hit the young 22 year old continues to build an impressive catalog that will surely leave an imprint on dance music.
But Michael's aspirations stretch further than simply making great music. He recently announced the launch of Kid Coconut, a new record label he hopes to build into a home for the diverse range of styles, sounds and artists that have influenced him. And while the young producer continues making great music and playing major festivals (including this weekend's Moonrise Festival in Baltimore), Kid Coconut will be the platform from which he tells his ongoing musical story. While we spoke with Michael last year for the release of his first EP, with the start of his new label we thought it was a good chance to catch up with him. So read on to learn more about one of dance music's most talented up-and-coming producers.
[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/157966137" params="auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="450" iframe="true" /]
EARMILK: So, congratulations on Kid Coconut, your brand spanking new music label! Can you talk to us a bit about the process behind starting up a label? What inspired you, at the advanced age of 21, to create your own label?
Michael Brun: Thank you! It's been an adventure working with my team getting this label setup but I'm so happy with the result. I had always hoped to find way to share music that I really cared about while also showing people more about my culture and background, and eventually the label idea was born. I had so many musical influences growing up in Haiti, so I hope to show a bit more of that spectrum through the label. oh and I actually just tuned 22 in May!
EM: So why the name, “Kid Coconut?" I assume it has something to do with your birthplace Haiti (and not the children’s clothing store)…?
MB: Haha no it was actually a nickname that ended up fitting so well with the concept of the label.
[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/117609797" params="auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="450" iframe="true" /]
EM: Because the label is still pretty fresh, you don’t have a lot of releases… but I’m sure you have tons of things lined up! Can you give us a glimpse of what’s coming down the pipeline? Any artists you can tell us about that you’re excited to see under the Kid Coconut banner?
MB: We have a few awesome releases lined up already which I'm psyched about. The next one I can talk about will be my collaboration with DubVision called "Sun In Your Eyes". Those guys are some of my favorite producers right now and I think we came up with something special. It's honestly one of my favorite tracks that I've ever worked on and the reaction since I played it in my Ultra set has been so good.
[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/142423250" params="auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="450" iframe="true" /]
EM: Your most recent release, “Zenith”, is the first track under the label, and it’s performing really well right now on Beatport. Can tell us a bit about its creation? Why did you choose “Zenith” to be the track that essentially launches the label?
MB: It's so exciting to see how well the track has done so far. I finished "Zenith" in January with what started as the violin hook in the first break that eventually turned into something pretty clubby. I chose it as the first release because I believed it honed in on some of the most important elements of a track for me (melody, rhythm and energy).
[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/158033706" params="auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="450" iframe="true" /]
EM: So how do you see the label progressing in the future? What are some of your ultimate goals?
MB: I think one of the most important goals is to make sure that every song released through Kid Coconut is something I really care about. I also want to be able to give an audience to talented producers who don't have an outlet to release their music. As a bedroom producer from Haiti, being signed to Dirty South's Phazing opened so many doors for me and I want to be able to do the same for others.
EM: When I speak with DJ/producers, one of the things I constantly hear is the difficulty in managing time between performing shows, and producing. How do you envision running a label affecting your tour schedule, or your original productions?
MB: It's going to be a lot of work! But thankfully I have such a good team working with me on the label. I'm able to really just focus on the musical and creative aspects which is what I care about most.
EM: Speaking of time management… do you think you’ll ever produce a full-length album?
MB: I really hope to sometime in the future.
[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/111341204" params="auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="450" iframe="true" /]
EM: I know you have a slate of new songs and collaborations coming up. For example, I know you’ve been working on collaborations with a certain Matthew Koma, in preparation for his upcoming album. Can you tell us anything about your upcoming releases?
MB: Yes I'm so excited for the music I worked on with Matt for his album. He is seriously one of the most talented and hardworking people I've met in the industry and I think the music we worked on together is some of my best. A lot of it is pretty out of the box too and not at all what people would expert. There are also a few other very cool collabs coming including the next release on Kid Coconut…
EM: Thanks for taking to time to talk with us. Do you have anything you’d like to say to all your fans out there?
MB: Thanks to EARMILK for the support! And keep an eye out in the very near future for some more music from me!
And as always, thanks for reading. Make sure you catch Michael Brun at a show near you, and check the links below to stay on top of all things Brun and Kid Coconut related.
