Brando Unleashes Vibrant Summer Anthem ‘Burn It Down’: Unpacking His Artistic Evolution

In a rapidly evolving music industry, LA-based singer Brando is establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with. Rising to international fame through hit collaborations with Loud Luxury (‘Body’) and Don Diablo (‘Congratulations’), Kiesza, and Matoma, the talented artist has consistently showcased his versatility and unique sound. Notably, ‘Body’, the hypnotic anthem created with Loud Luxury, has now garnered over a billion streams worldwide. The voice behind this smashing success is back, continuing his winning streak with his latest single, ‘Burn It Down’, a love-infused summer track that promises to be a remarkable addition to his growing portfolio.

Brando’s music stands out due to its realistic grit, differing from the conventional pop landscape. He leverages his life experiences to produce songs that resonate with his listeners. His new release ‘Burn It Down’, is no exception. This track, which Brando dropped under Armada Music, is a lively dance tune full of summer allure that brings the listener into the high of a seasonal romance. Brando explains that the single bridges the gap between R&B/pop and dance music, a style he’s grown increasingly fond of ever since ‘Body’ started making waves. This new track, which invites listeners to let loose on the dance floor, exhibits his signature vocal presence, infectious rhythm guitar, and further underlines his evolution as an artist. 

Following is a candid conversation with Brando, delving into his journey to success, his shift towards dance music, and his artistic vision.

What do you think is the key to your success at such a young age?

I always joke that I’m getting old so thanks for that! I think it’s a number of factors, including hard work and timing, but ultimately I just feel blessed to be in the position that I’m in. I think I’m partially driven by the idea of not taking my success in music for granted, but also at the end of the day, I do this because I love it and I couldn’t be happier to have fans that enjoy what I make.

Can you talk about your collaboration with Loud Luxury on their hit song ‘Body’?

We’ve been good friends from the very beginning, when they came to a show that my band was opening six or seven years back. I actually just saw them the other day, they gave my fiancée and I some amazing wedding gifts.

‘Body’ came about in a very natural, spur-of-the-moment way. It was meant to be a placement song a couple years prior but nobody was interested in it, so when I met Loud Luxury, I played ‘Body’ and a number of other songs for them and they loved it. They went and flipped the record into a dance track, keeping the topline from the original but switching out everything else. At the time I was deep in RnB so I had never made a dance song before or knew whether it was great or not, but they were immediately excited about it. They finished up the record while I was still in college, started to pitch it out to labels but every single one turned it down until Armada came along. It was released and the rest is history. I told the boys the other day I couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve achieved together in making a track that’s so iconic to the dance community and pop culture.

How has dance music influenced your style and taste in music, and how do you integrate it into your own music?

I started out in RnB/Pop, and for years that was exactly what I was making. When I met Loud Luxury, I really started getting into dance music as both a creator and a listener, so over the years I’ve gone deeper and deeper into the dance community and loved every bit of it. At this point, dance influences every bit of my musical style, but I like that I came from a different genre because I think it brings a different perspective to my records.

How do you balance your individual creative vision with the expectations of your audience and the music industry?

Personally, when I’m a fan of another artist, I want them to take me on a musical journey. I want them to be experimenting and stepping out of the box to give me a different experience than what I might expect from them. When I go into the studio, that’s the mindset that I’m working with – how am I going to take my fans on a journey that’s unexpected but incredible. 

To me, the expectation of the music industry as a whole is secondary, especially how increasingly open-minded music fans are to different genres and genre blending.

What do you enjoy most about performing live, and how do you connect with your audience during a show?

Playing your music live is an incredible experience because you feel the raw emotion of the whole crowd. Seeing how one song connects with the audience more in one particular moment in the set while another song might take hold in a different moment is exhilarating. Sometimes, as an artist and songwriter, you get so used to grinding in the studio day in and day out, but seeing people’s reactions in the moment as you play something they haven’t heard yet is amazing.

What is the most important lesson you have learned in your career so far, and how has it influenced your approach to music?

I’ve learned that relationships are incredibly important. The biggest caveat to that is that it’s even more important that people like you and want to help you. As an artist, it’s so easy to fall by the wayside because you’re talented but your personality is too abrasive (or whatever may be the case). 

Luckily for me, I’ve always been quite easygoing and I get along with everyone, so I’ve had many moments in my career where people helped out tremendously, especially when they didn’t have to, and I’m incredibly grateful to them and everyone on my team now.