by: Christina Hernandez
May 1, 2018
Techno Tuesday is a feature on Dancing Astronaut documenting the culture of underground dance music. We’ll bring you exclusive interviews, tracks, and narratives from artists within the techno, tech house, and deep house world in an effort to shed light on some of the best talent outside the world of mainstream dance music.
Melody and rhythm embedded themselves deeply into Brian Cid‘s psyche more or less from the beginning of his life. As he continued to grow up, he realized that his calling was to follow the path of music, and he has certainly charted an intriguing path of a career that has since dropped him into the deeper realms of the underground.
There’s a certain quality to Cid’s arrangements that seems to click; each output flows harmoniously, and is deeply expressive of the place the producer was in while writing it. His expertise stems from early on in his career, where he spent time as a mix engineer for A-List stars including Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, and Lady Gaga, among others. However, he still sought something that would lead to a profound satisfaction. Such fulfillment came from beneath the surface of electronica, specifically in the deep tech and progressive realms.
Now, Cid has earned a reputation as a masterful, and heartfelt musicmaker who travels across the globe proliferating his hypnotic grooves. In his quest, he’s manifested quite a few milestones — one includes the creation of his very own ENDANGERED. party series and record label. His single “Plot Thickens” was also chosen by Tale Of Us for their prolific Fabric 97 compilation.
How did exactly he make such a dynamic leap from one end of the musical spectrum to the other? Cid divulges this information in a thorough, and inspiring read on his influences, his comeup, and his transformation into a bearer of melodically-inclined dance music. Additionally, he allows us to debut “Petalos Sole,” the third track of his brand new Intriga EP (order here). Per his usual aural aesthetic, the Brooklyn-born musician peppers the introspective tune with chilling chords and carnal percussion.
“It’s been quite a journey so far I must say, a big challenge, self infused goals, huge dreams, big falls and high rises, a profound journey to discover more about who am I and why I’m here. My new reality, through the exploration of land and people’s mind & soul. It’s been a long interesting one, and I’m just getting started!
Music for me has been my safe place since very young. My escape. My shield. I did not realize it until now but music takes me on a deep meditative state of high energy release. Although nothing happens by mistake, it all started as a curiosity with sound. The need to understand why every time I hear music, I would get in a state of hypnosis. Never mind the lyrics, it was always about the sounds. As an 8-9 year old I would lay on the floor next to my father’s stereo system in the living room and place both speakers on my ears. I would dive deep and feel the chord progressions, the sonic story, the textures. I realized I had the gift of being able to see sound as shapes and colors. The shapes create a personality, a character. As soon as I was able to put my hands on an instrument, it was on!
Music took me through college and then I landed in New York City in search of a dream… one more in the bunch, right? Well… I didn’t think so. My plan was to become a master of my craft, earn respect and recognition. Prove myself that I could be among the best and after all, I did have a big talent. I just didn’t know about it until I stepped professionally in the studio and banged record after record. Landed big projects with legendary artists and record labels I didn’t even know about. It was all out of instinct. Before I realized it I was in sessions with guys who ruled the music industry. Legends. As I made my mark after several years of hard work, gold and platinum records did not mean much to me anymore. What was once a dream became a boring reality. Human nature, no? Walking out of the studio with a pocket full of money and an empty soul was truly heartbreaking. I felt accomplished and ready to take on my next adventure: the electronic music world. The underground. No rules, no etiquette. Just an underworld filled with rebels, soul seekers, free beings, odd characters. This is where I belong. I’m finally home! I am not here to be ordinary, I am here to be extraordinary!
As I dove into it first as a producer and then as a DJ, my perception and intention started slowly to evolve. All this time I was after respect and recognition, but as my music started traveling far and people around the world started expressing to me how my sound would make them feel, I realized something… this is not about me, it was never about me. This is about THEM.
My journey took me to a place of ultimate power. The power to reach people’s soul, create an emotion, a feeling, a moment in time, a memory. Make them feel good about themselves, to open up, to accept and embrace themselves, to connect, to forget and fantasize. It’s a lot of things. So it was clear that it all became my calling, my purpose of existence, the meaning of my universe. Addicted to the smiles and the healing power of my sounds. But most importantly aside from the music, it’s a tool to create a special personal connection with you and continue to fulfill my own purpose.
I find it hard to put my music style into a specific category as I use elements of all genres. I don’t follow trends, barely listen to other’s music. I need to keep my ears clean and virgin, so I can write from the soul. Instead I wash my ears with jazz, world, latin, classics and new discoveries. The radio makes me sad so that’s untouched territory. A healthy mindset, positive attitude, appreciation and gratitude turns me into a music making machine. I live music. I breathe music. I am music in flesh. This has always been me, I am just now realizing it more and more. Nothing else matters anymore. Just you, me & the music… the journey continues.”
Featured image credit: Alina Fisher
Categories: Features, Music
