Bryan Zentz - The Renegade Interview
Portland /// Connie Belcher
Bryan Zentz at an early age adapted the attitude and reckless freedom of hardcore/punk, graffiti and hip-hop. Shaped by his early attitude combined with the full spectrum of electronic music he quickly emerged as a force from the underground.
Balancing multiple missions with alter egos. Producer, DJ, skateboarder, bboy, artist, vegan, cool dude and even more show up on Bryan’s resume. With so many pieces to the Bryan Zentz puzzle we needed his help in putting them together for us. I recently spoke with b. zentz and he was kind enough to talk back. Lets break it down.
Music is the weapon of our future, so listen up.
What is your first memory of music?
>Hmm good question. I grew up around a lot of folk music as a kid so definitely something along those lines im sure.
What music do you listen to that would most surprise us?
>Ive always been drawn to a lot of heavier music often falling somewhere between punk and metal. Older stuff like Amebix and Discharge. Also more recent bands like Boris, Pelican and Red Sparowes. I listen to alot of dub, hip hop, indie rock, industrial… Lately Ive been listening to Panda Bear and Nadjas last albums alot.
BZ. Hangin tough in Portland.
As an east coast refugee, what attracted you to the Cascadian West Coast?
How has it been adapting to our culture?
>Portland really fit what I was looking for in so many aspects… Really cool thriving neighborhoods, great public transportation and there is definitely a unique mindset here. It seems like there are so many things here in Portland that just wouldnt fly or be supported in most other US cities. As for adapting Im still getting used to the fact that theres no sales tax! sweet!
Your discography is extensively impressive. I thought I was reading the never ending story. Props.
How have you been able to maintain consistent production for 12 years?
>Ha ha, thanks. Well Im not sure Im as productive as I used to be, but theres always new and inspiring music coming out from all angles so I get energized from that alot of the time. Its also interesting to try and fuse new sounds with some old ideas or techniques.
Both a responsive audience and new releases are obviously exciting, how does the gratification differ?
>Having a new release I guess is more of a gradual response I guess, whereas playing for a crowd and getting that reaction is in the moment and instant.
I don’t know another artist who has as many musical monikers as you. The sum is an audio version of the multidisciplinary Bryan Zentz.
How do you decide who to perform as or produce as?
>Well, I know a few producers who im sure have me beat with pseudonyms! Alot of those names came about because different record labels wanted an exclusive moniker only to be used with that label. It also became a way to give different projects a unique name to coincide with its sound. I guess its sort of a tradition in this kind of music for artists to have so many different project names. Even in hip hop, for instance Kool Keith is the king of aliases! Lately Ive tried to narrow it down to a few though.
Fresh new vinyl FEB 2008 off Cray1 Labworks is Contra E.P., Stare 5 remix V2 .A Hit. No doubt. What is your working process for a remix?
>Thanks! Well those guys made it an easy task because they had some really good elements to work with already in the track. I always try and keep intact some essential and recognizable parts from the original song. When I get the parts/samples from the artist, I pick out my favorite bits and then just throw my 2¢ in, and see what happens. I tried to give that track in particular a darker edge.
What are some of the music tools or instruments you’ve worked with that you’ve consistently enjoyed using? Any overrated?
>Ive always liked working with the Akai MPC stuff. These days though everything seems to be software based and its almost overwhelming how many options there are. People make awesome music with the cheapest most basic software out there, so I think what it really comes down to is what you do with what you have.
So bro…
Any future plans for Disruptor?
>Ugh. Doing the label thing was cool but was also a bit of a pain in the ass… So for now its hangin tough in limbo
