Rhythms of Purpose: BNH Deluxe on Living for Music and Crafting His Future
By. Alicia Zamora
A Conversation with BNH Deluxe
In the vibrant landscape of Seattle's art scene, music serves as a powerful form of expression, transcending traditional boundaries and resonating with diverse audiences. One artist who embodies this connection is BNH Deluxe, whose passion for music spans both genres and emotions. In an exclusive interview with Alicia’s Studio, he delves into the profound impact that music has on his life, revealing how it has become an essential medium for expressing deep and often complex feelings that are hard to articulate.
BNH Deluxe reflects on the journey that led him to embrace music as a fundamental part of his identity. From his early inspirations to the influences that shaped his artistic vision, he shares anecdotes that highlight the transformative nature of his experiences. For him, music is more than just a creative outlet; it is a form of communication that bridges the gap between emotions and words. Through his work, he endeavors to relate to listeners on a personal level, offering them a glimpse into his soul.
In this engaging conversation, BNH Deluxe articulates his belief that music is inherently beautiful, serving not just as a source of entertainment but also as a means of connection and understanding. As he navigates the complexities of life and art, he invites us to explore the nuances of his sound, revealing the layers of meaning that lie within each note. Join us as we uncover the captivating story of BNH Deluxe and his unwavering commitment to sharing his musical voice with the world.
Diving In
Alicia: Okay we can start off with an introduction!
BNH: I’m BNH Deluxe an artist from Seattle
Alicia: What first sparked your passion for music? Was it something you always knew you wanted to pursue, or did your path unfold in unexpected ways?
BNH: When I was little, I wanted to be a doctor. And then we did this talent show. I've been in Chinese immersion since I was in kindergarten. A few of my friends and I did this Chinese talent show, and we kind of sang like we were a boy band. We did our makeup and everything. Ever since then, I have wanted to do this. And I started writing my own songs and stuff.
Alicia: How did you come up with the name "BNH Deluxe"? Is there a deeper meaning behind it, or a personal story connected to the name?
BNH: I don't even want to go there, actually. I mean, it's all bullshit. It's like a random name. It doesn't really make sense. It was supposed to be BNH… well we were trying to make a rap group in middle school, and then I added Deluxe because then I started making lo-fi stuff. I thought that sounded lo-fi. *laughs* but yeah it doesn’t make much sense.
Alicia: Is there a particular musical concept, genre, or theme you've always wanted to explore but haven't had the chance to yet? What draws you to that idea?
BNH: I feel like I've done it all. I mean, I could get better at it, though. I want to get better at making good-sounding pop music that's really industry like Zedd—just super refined.
Alicia: Oh okay nice! How long have you been doing this for?
BNH: Since fifth grade, recording-wise but I started writing when I was in the third grade. It was obviously not the best, but it's third grade, so.
Alicia: Okay, so you’ve been doing this for awhile
BNH: Yeah, I mean, at this point, it's my whole life.
Alicia: When did you first release something for everyone to hear?
BNH: I used DistroKid to release a lo-fi beat tape in middle school.
Alicia: Music has the power to express emotions in ways words can't. How do you use your music to communicate feelings or experiences that are difficult to articulate verbally?
BNH: Ooh, it's such a hard question. That's what music's all about for me. I don't know what else to put my feelings into besides music. Music has the power to express emotions in ways words can't. I think that my answer to that is that I do music because it's like there is no other way for me to express it besides music. So that's what I do. That's how I use music.
Alicia: Looking ahead, where do you see yourself and your music career in the next few years? What are some goals or milestones you're working toward?
BNH: I'm trying to do a good job of this now, but I want someone to be like “I want to dress like BNH Deluxe for Halloween!” I want to be very, very distinct and do something like appearance wise that's very distinct. I'm still trying to figure that out.
Alicia: Can you share a specific moment in your career when you stepped outside your comfort zone, whether it was in the studio or performing live? What did you learn from that experience?
BNH: You remember Zaae?
Alicia: Yeah I do!
BNH: So it was different for me performing at KEKP and Timber Fest as his guitarist, not as BNH Deluxe. It was humbling and it honed my skills. It helped me learn a lot.
Alicia: Creating and sharing music is often a personal journey. What have you learned about yourself through this process? How has your music helped you grow as an individual?
BNH: I think as an individual, I am music like that's just all I do. It’s like the only thing in my life now. It’s not a very interesting answer *laughs*
Alicia: If you could collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, on a dream project, who would it be and why? What kind of music or message would you want to create together?
BNH: Oo Joji!
Alicia: Ahh I love Joji!!
BNH: I think the artists that I resonate with musically, like how they make their music are Joji and Dominic Fike, you know, artists like that.
Alicia: Have you seen him live? He’s an insane performer.
BNH: Yeah he’s crazy
Alicia: What kind of message do you want to create?
BNH: My message has always been no plan B. You can accomplish what you want. We have one life and you can accomplish your goals through persistence. That’s always been what I believed.
Alicia: Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you're particularly excited about?
BNH: Zaae and I’s album in February and a single is coming out next month.
Alicia: With your upcoming music, what kind of emotions or reactions do you hope to evoke in your listeners? What do you want them to feel or take away from your work?
BNH: It depends. If I make a song that's about, I don't know, a breakup, that's not usually what I write about. But if I were [to write that], I would want [listeners] to be like “Oh shit he sees me and he gets me.” And then if I write a happy song I want them to be like “I'm having a great day and this matches my great day and he sees me.”
Alicia: As an artist, how do you hope your music will impact the world or your community in the long term? What kind of legacy would you like to leave behind?
BNH: My goal is to start this whole collective. I want to put smaller artists on, help them grow, and I just want to build this whole thing. Broken Screen Records is what I release my music under and I kind of want to be like a collective too. I just kind of want to start this whole thing.
Alicia: Okay nice so you’re looking to sign people or will it be local to Seattle?
BNH: It can be anyone. I just want to be like a collective and I want to be this resource for the community like Macklemore.
Alicia: If you could go back in time and give advice to your younger self, what would you say to the artist you were then? How would you encourage them to navigate their journey?
BNH: Don't lose sight of what you're doing now and just get better at what you're doing. There was a moment a few years ago where I was trying to be someone else musically, and it never [worked out]. No matter how hard you try, you gotta be yourself.
Alicia: How do you overcome writer’s block?
BNH: I just take a break. There’s no rush.
Alicia: What’s the best advice you could give to someone just starting out on the path of becoming an artist, especially in today’s music industry?
BNH: In today's music industry, I mean, the biggest thing I see is so cliché, but like again, just try not to be anyone else. Be yourself. It’s okay to copy content and stuff but you need to add your touch to it. I see too many people like it's not distinct; it's not high-quality; it's like, I don't know you gotta hone your craft. And once you have this amazing thing to present to the world, doing the right things, making the right connections, and the right content, the fan base will come to you.
Alicia: For someone who has never heard your music before, how would you describe your sound and the themes you explore in your work?
BNH: I talk a lot about my OCD and my kind of struggle with that. I had this brain infection that caused all sorts of problems when I was a kid. And now, it's a whole universe inside my head. I describe my genre as alternative pop, trap like alt rock you know.
Alicia: Every artist faces challenges. What’s one significant obstacle you’ve had to overcome in your career, and how did it shape both your music and your approach to the industry?
BNH: I signed a deal with Sub Pop Records, a Warner-owned label, back when I was 14. I was the youngest artist to sign with them. It was for a single and you know, I wanted to do an album obviously after the single. We were talking about it on and off for like a year and then they rejected it, obviously because I was like a kid and I didn't really have it. The whole album wasn't coherent and it wasn't even mastered. I don't know what I was thinking but I was a kid. I think that taught me that you can't BS things and just need to have patience. Like I'm doing pretty good now. I’m happy with where I’m at and how I’m going up right now.
Alicia: Yeah you should be. You’re independent right now, right?
BNH: I'm probably going to sign a management deal with a manager in the next year and then get in with his label.
Alicia: What are some short-term or long-term goals you’re working on in the near future, both personally and professionally?
BNH: More shows, more events, pop-ups
Alicia: What do you want people to think when they hear the name BNH Deluxe?
BNH: “I love his music and that's the guy that's on my playlist.”
Alicia: If you could describe your music in one word, what would it be and why?
BNH: Resonate.
Alicia: Staying inspired as an artist can be tough. How do you keep your creativity flowing and continue pushing boundaries with your music?
BNH: I think the best way to do that is to think and relate everything to music. Like what [I’m] trying to accomplish and how I can turn this into music, you know.
Alicia: I know you said you have the project coming out in February. Are you allowed to tell us how many songs are on the album?
BNH: I think there’s 8 songs. Hopefully in May I [should] put together a little compilation of unreleased tracks that I have.
Alicia: Out of all your released tracks which would you say best describes you as an artist?
BNH: I don't think I've yet to make that
Alicia: How do you balance staying true to your artistic vision while also evolving and experimenting with new sounds or ideas? Is there a specific direction you're excited to explore next?
BNH: No matter what I do, I’d like to have [the sound of] distorted guitar in there. I want to add a distorted touch to everything whether it’s R&B or metal. I'm kind of getting into this whole screamo thing in Seattle with these bands and kind of going back to my roots. Like rock and stuff now—I so want to get back into performing a lot there.
Alicia: Ending the interview off, would you like to say anything to the people who listen to your music?
BNH: Thank you so much! You’re my life!!
