Bren Lock: “I’m excited to build something new from the ground up and pursue my own creative direction”

Bren Lock, the new professional moniker of Pete Cuppernull, embarks on an inspiring solo career after 15 years of shaping the electronic music landscape under the name Anden. Originally from New York and now thriving in Los Angeles, Bren Lock combines his extensive industry expertise with a fresh, personal vision.

Photo credit: Bren Lock – Instagram

As Anden, Pete achieved acclaim with releases on prestigious labels such as DIYNAMIC, Odd One Out, and Ninja Tune. His collaborations with influential artists like Yotto, alongside remixing for stars like LP Giobbi and Diplo, highlight his versatility and influence.

In 2024, Bren Lock makes his solo debut with an anticipated release on Interstellar, marking his first solo creation in over a decade. This project promises a captivating blend of analog synth artistry, vocal prowess, and the depth of a classically trained musician, with more releases to follow later in the year.

More than a new beginning, this endeavor is the pinnacle of Bren Lock’s rich musical journey. His upcoming sound is crafted to resonate with both loyal fans and new audiences alike, offering an immersive musical experience.

In an exclusive conversation with EG, Bren Lock shares insights into his latest endeavors, recent releases, and what lies ahead in his musical voyage.

EG: Welcome to EG, Bren. It’s exciting to have you here, especially with you just having launched the project! Can you tell us a bit about how this new journey under the name Bren Lock came to be? What motivated you to step out on your own after your success with Anden?

Bren Lock: Thank you! It’s exciting to be here. Music is my creative outlet—I felt that in order for music to remain a source of fulfillment and happiness, I needed to move on from Anden. It’s been a rewarding transition so far with more space to dive into styles and sounds that I’ve always wanted to explore. I’m excited to build something new from the ground up and pursue my own creative direction.

EG: Your debut single ‘Make Me Wonder,’ featuring Fatum and Brieanna Grace, just dropped on Interstellar. What was the creative process like for this track, and how did the collaboration come together?

Bren Lock: Creating ‘Make Me Wonder’ was a journey on its own. This track went through countless iterations, including having the original vocalist drop off the track at the last minute. After this happened, Interstellar helped bring Brieanna Grace onto the project, and she created an incredible new vocal that elevated the track to a new level. It was truly a team effort and a fun project to be involved with. Plus, I’ve been friends with Dan and Bruce from Fatum for nearly a decade, so it was a blast to finally make some music with them.

EG: As a singer, songwriter, and producer, how do you integrate your diverse skills into your electronic music production? Are there any specific elements of your training that you find particularly influential in your new work?

Bren Lock: I typically focus on the music first before thinking about production or vocals. I’ve always felt that if the foundational music and melodies are strong, they’ll shine through in the final electronic production. And often, the best songs come from very simple ideas and melodies.

I took a few music technology courses in school when I was just starting to learn electronic production. Much of that foundation still informs how I approach music today.

“The best songs come from very simple ideas and melodies”

EG: You’ve had a great career with Anden, touring with Yotto and performing at iconic events like EDC Las Vegas and Zamna Tulum. How have these experiences shaped your approach to music production and performance as you transition into your solo career?

Bren Lock: Touring has heavily influenced my music production because I want to make music that translates well to a live environment. Often, I’ll create music with a specific upcoming gig in mind, or I’ll draw inspiration from a recent show, thinking about what I wish I could have played. In my opinion, many of the best producers today create music that translates to both home listening and live show environments. It’s typically my goal to try to toe this line.

EG: Transitioning from a duo to a solo project can be a big change. What has been the most challenging aspect of this shift for you, and what have you found most liberating about working on your own?

Bren Lock: Starting from scratch has been the biggest challenge—building a new identity and sound as Bren Lock is both exciting and daunting. But this blank slate has also been incredibly liberating. I’ve rediscovered the joy in creating music and I feel more enabled to take creative risks. Transitioning to a solo project has felt like a natural next step in my music career.

EG: You’ve collaborated with some big names and have worked on remixes for artists such as LP Giobbi and Diplo. How do these collaborations influence your sound, and do you have any collaborations lined up for your solo project?

Bren Lock: I’ve been lucky to work with some very talented artists. What strikes me most is how the best songs often stem from simple, pure ideas—these experiences have taught me to avoid overcomplicating things, and that often the best ideas come together quickly. And yes! There are several collaborations in progress. I’m prioritizing working with my friends and have loved spending days in the studio just jamming out with them.

“I’ve rediscovered the joy in creating music and I feel more enabled to take creative risks”

EG: Looking to the future, what’s next for Bren Lock? Do you have any exciting projects, collaborations, or live performances planned that you can share with us?

Bren Lock: I have a good pipeline of music that is ready to come out later this year and early next year, and I have my first live performance booked for October. Looking forward to announcing more details on those soon!

EG: Thanks for sharing your journey with us, Bren. Is there anything else you’d like to add or any message you want to share with your fans?

Bren Lock: Only that I’m grateful for their support and to have them along with me for the ride. I’m excited for this new phase of my career and can’t wait for what’s to come.

Bren Lock’s ‘Make Me Wonder’ is now available via Interstellar. Stream and download here.

Follow Bren Lock: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram