Mindchatter confirms third studio album, announces tour extension, on-site at Outside Lands [Q&A]
Bryce Connolly, professionally known as indie dance connoisseur mindchatter, delivered an electrifying live set at a jam-packed Sutro Stage during Outside Lands‘ 2024 installment. At the start of the year, Connolly issued an official remix of Poolside and Ben Browning’s “Ride With You,” streaming via Counter Records. Shortly after, mindchatter embarked on his sold out A Chorus Of Monologues Tour after dropping two EPs, 2023’s Spiritual Puberty followed by the grittier This Is A Reminder That You Are Not Behind Your Face, which also materialized on ODESZA‘s esteemed Foreign Family Collective this past February.
Ahead of his climactic Outside Lands performance, mindchatter co-signed a pair of official remixes for two of his latest singles. The New York City native recruited Familiar Faces, who turned in a minimal tech rendition of “Brain Pills,” as well as Azzecca, who shared her acidic interpretation of “Corporate Shakespeare.”
Now that Outside Lands has come and gone, mindchatter is already gearing up to get back out on the road; this time, out overseas. In an exclusive Q&A with ‘Dancing Astronaut,’ the Foreign Family artist revealed a slew of fresh tour datest, bringing his headline tour to over 35 dates across 5 different countries. What’s more, the acclaimed DREAM SOUP producer confirmed that, yes, his third studio album is indeed in the works.
Browse mindchatter’s extended tour dates and read the exclusive Q&A below.
You’re no stranger to major festivals. How has your live set evolved over time?
Bryce: “I’ve added a lot of different equipment. It used to be me on one skimpy little stand up there, but I’ve built out my production to effect more stage presence. I added a malletSTATION, which is that xylophone you see onstage. That’s been a game changer because I feel like it’s more visual for the audience, more engaging… Also, adding new visuals time coded to new music, just sort of brick by brick additions. I used to use house VJs that would mix on the fly, but my production feels a lot more professional now that I bring a VJ on the road with me. I have more of a solidified team.”
Last year, you put out “Cash” with Emmit Fenn, who you also worked with on “Hips” in 2022. Aside from those records, mindchatter operates pretty independently. Is this by happenstance or do you like working solo?
Bryce: “I like working solo, for sure. I started off as a producer, and then I became the guy hunting down vocalists to work with. But eventually, I just started adding in my own voice. So, I’m pretty self-contained. I can make a record entirely on my own, which is fun. I’ve gone into sessions and, sometimes, it feels like anything special I might have sort of leaves the room. That level of access requires me to basically isolate myself and shut out the world for a bit. But I loved working with Emmit because we have a lot in common; he both sings and produces… But he’s also a classically trained pianist, which I’m not. I lean a bit more into the production side. When I can work with people like that, it works really well.”
DREAM SOUP officially landed over two years ago, in April 2022. Has it felt that long? How much do you still identify with the project?
Bryce: “Damn, that makes me feel old! Some of those records I made when I was in music school, like four years earlier. So yeah, I felt like I had to get that project off my chest. There are certain songs you sit on for so long that end up getting stale. DREAM SOUP was a way for me to pull out all the old shit that I loved and finally present it to the world in a cohesive format. But I’m ready to move on, and I feel like the stuff I’m making now is a bit more elevated. Sometimes I listen to old stuff and cringe a little bit; it can be like looking at an old Facebook photo.”
You’ve maintained a consistent aesthetic since launching your artist project in 2019. What inspired this vision?
Bryce: “It really has grown organically. It started with the first cover for “Trippy,” the first song I put out. I work with a really talented graphic designer; I remember telling him I want a man looking back at himself with his eyes in his hands to represent self-awareness. The cover art went through a bunch of different iterations. We finally landed on a Greek statue, and it felt so right. All of the imagery since then ties together in an organic way, but you can’t really put your finger on it. When it feels right, we keep it up. When it feels wrong, we throw it right out.”
What goes into deciding on the producers who remix your original works?
Bryce: “Anyone who’s done a remix for me is someone who I’m a fan of. It’s pretty much that simple. And I try to choose a song for them that they’d be successful in putting their own spin on. I wouldn’t give someone a song that wasn’t a match. There are a lot of people I’ll reach out to. Typically, it’s like 10% of them who, if they aren’t touring or busy, are available or down to take on a remix. You don’t always get everybody you want, but I’m super grateful for the talented artists that have remixed my stuff.”
Do you have any upcoming shows in cities you’re excited to perform in?
Bryce: “Yeah, I’ve never played in Europe. It’ll be brand new. I’ve only played outside of the US in Canada, but Europe is a whole ‘nother thing. I feel like I have a good amount of listeners there, which is great. I’m pumped; it’ll be sweet.”
Can fans expect another full-length album anytime soon?
Bryce: “Yeah. Don’t hold me to this, but it’s definitely the next project I’m looking to put out—a really serious album. And I have a decent chunk of it written. It’s something that I want to do right. I want to have the creative vision down far in advance. And just like, really take my time with it.”
Lastly, even though you tend to work independently, is there someone out there you’d love to put out a record with?
Bryce: “Julian Casablancas, from The Strokes.”
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