Jonathan Bree: Once I have the mask on I remember nothing

JONATHAN BREE TALKS ABOUT HOW HARD IT IS TO PERFORM IN A SPANDEX MASK, HIS MUSICAL PLANS, NEW ZEALAND’S SOUND, FAVOURITE PLACES TO PERFORM, AS WELL AS MUCH MORE

Jonathan Bree likes to perform strange and mellow music wearing a spandex mask and an elegant 60s style suit. His band follows these eccentric preferences when on stage too, wearing spandex masks and elegant suits as well. Watching their shows brings a spooky and infernal feeling which is in line with their musical vibe.

Jonathan Bree’s music is a mixture of 60’s pop, disco, psychedelic and other references to bygones era’s, with a contemporary and recognizable sound. Many of the songs have breathtaking videos that have received many millions of views on Youtube and perfectly visualize the song’s moods and messages. Being the mastermind and the main driver of his own musical project, Jonathan Bree directs all the videos himself whilst also looking after the stage image, composing the music and singing his own grotesque and ironic lyrics.

At the moment, Jonathan Bree has 3 solo albums, the 4th is on the way and is going to be finished soon. As a super-productive person he combines an artistic career with running his own label, Lil’ Chief Records, which is responsible for shining a light on many artists from his homeland, New Zealand, among them names such as Princes Chelsea and The Brunets – the band in which Jonathan took part before starting a solo career.

We talked with Jonathan about his recent plans for music, the original concept of the band’s stage image, the influence of his label on New Zealand’s sound and some other interesting stuff.

Interview: Dmitry Tolkunov

Hi Jonathan! It would be great to know what you have been up to recently in music. Do you have some finished or planned exciting tours? Maybe a new album is taking shape? Or any thoughts on making some new videos?

Hi! Yes, after a year of touring with Sleepwalking I’m taking 6 weeks to finish album number 4 and then we are back into touring in September. Expect new singles and videos to begin from then on.

You are known as a very productive artist in terms of releasing new music and also as an intensively touring one. What do you enjoy more –composing new music and working in the studio or performing all around the world?

I enjoy both…perhaps equally. Both can be difficult at times, long hours in the studio overseeing fairly inconsequential details or 48 hours of flying and layovers at the bottom of the world with no sleep. Still, you also have really special moments playing live, and writing/recording in the studio.

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