- Mon, 2009-08-17 14:35
"I Like Music because… it helps me escape the real world.” Mz Bratt
ILM: You've just released your single Who Do You Think You Are. What can we expect from your debut album?
Mz Bratt: There's a few man bashing tracks on there, but it's not that bad toward guys! The tracks are very dancey, up-tempo, positive, feel-good tracks. I'm just talking about experiences from my life, so there are a few serious tracks in there. There's a grime influence on there too, I come from the grime scene. A real mixture.
ILM: How would you describe your process of making music?
Mz Bratt: It depends who I'm working with. With my producer, who I've worked with for four years, we'll either make something from scratch together or he'll make something and I'll sit there and write on the spot. Sometimes we get a track done in a day, sometimes longer. I've just had a session with T2. That was a lot longer. He got to the studio late, it took me ages to write because I was so tired. We're going to meet up again and finish that off. It all depends. It's got a lot to do with where and when you feel comfortable.
ILM: You've worked a lot with award-winning urban producer Terror Danjah, what have you learnt from him?
Mz Bratt: He's teaching me every day. He kinda gives me more personal advice too. Sometimes I get disheartened or stressed out. There's a lot of pressure behind me. So he gives me personal advice, you know, keep going, stay strong. Musically, the best advice he gives me is to be me. Write from my experiences and let people know what I'm about from my lyrics.
ILM: What do you look forward to the most about playing live?
Mz Bratt: A lot of things really. The reaction of the crowd. I feed off their energy a lot. I like to dance to my tracks too!
ILM: Out of all live shows you've played, what have been some of the most memorable moments?
Mz Bratt: Glastonbury 2008 was amazing. Out of this world. Our tent was crammed, everyone was just going crazy! Baltimore was heavy. I'd heard a lot of things about Baltimore being very kind of hood and a bit ghetto. But yeah, it was really good vibes in there. Even the guys with hoodies were going mad in there and just dancing.
ILM: You've been supporting N-Dubz. How has that been?
Mz Bratt: Just getting to see their stage show is amazing. The way they interact with their audience, their costumes, everything, it all builds up to this intense performance. It really has influenced me and inspired me to work on my performance. It's an amazing show.
ILM: Who are your musical inspirations?
Mz Bratt: There are three main individuals. One of them is my Dad. He used to be a musician in the late eighties, nineties. He did acid house in this underground movement called Spiral Tribe. When I was younger I got to go to, well, I didn't get to go to a lot of house parties, but beacuse he was my Dad we used to stay with him, so I was at a lot of house parties from a young age, like six. I got to see music in one of its most raw forms. He always reminds me to keep the music real. The other two are Michael Jackson and Beyonce. Performance wise, they are out of this world. I watch their performances on youtube all the time! Vocally I look to see how I can improve too. Also movements and imagery. I look to see how I can make my performance memorable to my audience.
ILM: What are your future plans?
Mz Bratt: This year I would love to establish myself and not get ahead of myself. I need to release my singes, establish myself and try to get a buzz going. Hopefully after that, a lot more doors will open for me. I'd love to get into acting. That's something I was doing when I was younger. And maybe collaborating and writing for other artists as well. All kinds of things really. I'd love to be an influential figure to young people.
ILM: What would be your advice to any younge people who want to get involved in the music industry?
Mz Bratt: Whatever you want to do, just focus on that goal. There will be a lot of negative things that happen, it's a tough industry. But you have to put that to one side and as long as you're focused on what you want to do and work hard, hopefully you'll get there. You know, you get out what you put in.
ILM: What music have you been listening to recently?
Mz Bratt: This morning I was getting ready to Beyonce's Sweet Dreams and watching the video. That's kinda my 'get ready' single at the moment. I love what she's done in that video too, she always looks so good! Also I've been listening to a lot of Drake. I think he's really cool. Hopefully his album will be out soon. Also, I've been listening to Air France. Cool too.
