Brandon Bee

The soaring rock sounds of Brandon Bee are the first thing you notice when listening to the Seattle-area native’s worship debut, This Is The Revolution. It’s a mark of an artist directly influenced by today’s greatest rock and most popular rock bands and a sign that he’s aiming to take the worship realm into similar musical territory. Not that’s the genre is not already there, but Brandon Bee elevates the music to a new level of quality.

Of course, lyrically Bee’s also ready to challenge the listener – and status quo – and he does that in spades on an album all about revolution. We recently caught up with Brandon to discuss the new disc and how his own production background has helped his own cause.

Soul-Audio: How did you first get started into production? Has that always been an interest?

Brandon Bee: Since I was 14, I wanted to be a producer. I traveled with my singing family writing songs and playing top 40s since I was 8-years-old. When we recorded CDs, I was always interested, particularly when we went to Vegas to record with Lou Carteau. He was amazing, and his studio was amazing. That summer was the start. After that, we recorded another CD in my city. I played all the instruments and arranged it with my dad – a very accomplished arranger. It was at that point that I realized that producing was a lot more than just pushing buttons and getting good sounds. It was about the songs and arrangement.

SA: Which project have you been involved with that has stretched you the most?

Brandon: Well, it’s interesting, you would think that it would be something like the songs I did for Stacy Orrico, Jamie Jamgocian, or the stuff I played on Lanae Hale’s record because they were bigger projects. But it’s actually easier working with someone that is a pro. They are already so good vocally and songwriting had been picked a part so much by their label that there was minimal pre-production to be done.

Yes, it’s always challenging to make things sound new and relevant and accessible at the same time. With pop projects you’re trying to reach the broadest age groups while really catering to the younger crowd. Hard to do, right? Doing my own was a stretch because you’re playing so many roles: writer, producer, musician, and sort of A&R since I help out at the label. It was similar in the fact that we were trying to reach a broad audience.

SA: Did you find your production experience shaped the way you create your own music at all?

Brandon: It helped in many ways. Arrangement, having a studio, and musicianship. I played a lot of the instruments on the record, not because I wasn’t open to have others play, but I knew what I wanted. Even when I had someone come in a play a guitar part I still felt it needed something. I did still have guests that made it on the record, but because they nailed the vision. It helped I had a clear vision for the record. Most artists that hire me as a producer are very unsure about where they want to go. They might know what they like and don’t like but it’s not the same thing.

SA: With so many “worship” options on store shelves, did you have a certain aim musically to set Revolution apart from others?

Brandon: I wanted the lyrics to be challenging, musically hooky, and with tons of integrity. Specific songs like “The Less of Us” and “Even the Enemy Believes” are really challenging to Christians. Being honest with myself and who I am musically was important to me and my label. We definitely didn’t re-invent the wheel, but I think we are pushing some buttons musically that aren’t normally pushed. If that makes any sense.

SA: Some worship leaders are rooted in the local church while others are not. Is that something you purposefully integrate into your life? How does that affect things for good or bad?

Brandon: I have a family of 6, almost 7. With the little kids it was important that we are consistently going to a church where they can have Christian friends. Leading at a church a few times a month is good to keep us grounded. Even though producing and touring take up my time, being involved in planning and different ministries at a home church is really stretching me to continue making ministry my main focus.

SA: Tell me about the name, This is the Revolution. Why is that title appropriate for this collection of songs?

Brandon: Yes, the record is about spiritual battle. This is the Revolution is meant to give hope but tell us not to be lazy. That the enemy is hiding behind every corner. Get ready to fight for Love, for him, and live the kind of life Jesus lived.

SA: What about the band on the album; how’d you come together with the various players listed like Aaron [Mlasko, drum tech for Pearl Jam, The Wallflowers] and Luke [Stillar, guitarist from Telecast]?

Brandon: I was really glad to get Luke, Aaron and many others involved. Very creative and talented in what they do. It was important to get other minds in the studio. I wanted to be assured that we were making something worth making. Bringing in extras was the best thing I could have done. Pieces of this record were magical because of all the people involved. Todd Robbins, the mixer, grabbed on to my vision and took it to the perfect place.

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