{"id":84397,"date":"2023-10-03T13:08:24","date_gmt":"2023-10-03T11:08:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/?p=84397"},"modified":"2023-10-03T13:08:26","modified_gmt":"2023-10-03T11:08:26","slug":"benjamin-race-speaks-to-us-about-his-music-his-inspirations-and-new-single-take-you-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2023\/10\/benjamin-race-speaks-to-us-about-his-music-his-inspirations-and-new-single-take-you-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Benjamin Race Speaks To Us About His Music, His Inspirations, And New Single ‘Take You Home’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We recently wrote about artist Benjamin Race’s new collaboration with vocalist Ellison Kendrick, ‘Take You Home<\/a>‘. The UK based producer has had a long and varied musical career, mostly under the moniker HD, but now he’s making music under his own name. We asked Benjamin a few questions about his sound, his inspirations, and along the way found out something he’s never before revealed in an interview.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

You went to art school, and are involved in many different aspects of art – music, photography, videography – do you think you could choose just one format, or do you think all art is part of the one whole?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I suppose the idea of being creative is the invention of and development of original ideas. If a creative person writes a fictional book, as an example, they wouldn\u2019t be defined by the medium or tool they are using. For example, although it sounds silly, you would not call them a typewriter or pencil writer! The tool is not an important part of the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In relation to music, I used to call myself a bass player. Now if someone asked me what I do, I would say, \u201cI am a musician.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going back to your question, I am quite lucky as I am a bit of a hybrid, as I have skill sets in various things like videography on top of music, but of course, they are all interconnected to presenting a final idea and package of my music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your new single, ‘Take You Home’ has a real Luther Vandross vibe to it – has he inspired you in any way, or is that coincidental?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Music always means different things to different people so it is quite commonplace for different music listeners to reference other artists based on their musical listening library and Spotify favourites. Having said that, I am a big fan in general of 1980s soul music, with that sound, that era, and soundscape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who else has inspired your sound, and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have certainly influenced me, plus producers like David Foster, Trevor Horn and Quincy Jones. Ironically, I have reached out to both David Foster and Jimmy Jam and had some great advice from both. David Foster is inspirational for his supreme confidence and for being one of the most successful songwriters and producers in the history of modern music. Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis have had 40+ Top 10 hits in the USA and have produced artists I love such as Janet Jackson, Alexander O\u2019Neal and The S.O.S Band. I suppose I was aware of the music and songs before I became more interested and inspired by the producers behind the scenes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ve recently had some mentorship from the legendary David Foster; can you share anything he’s taught you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sure! What an inspirational guy. He spoke to me about some of the mantras he lives, \u201cGood is the enemy of great\u201d which is a great one. Eluding to most days you miss, but on the days that you are great, it really pays off!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second one was, \u201cIf it isn\u2019t working, retreat and attack in another direction.\u201d He referenced his career in the late 1990s when he and pop music were on a different wavelength, so he retreated and attacked in another direction with artists like Michael Bible and Josh Groban, which kept him relevant\/ semi-relevant for many years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lastly, the one which was my favourite \u2013 \u201ccompromise breeds mediocrity!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The music video for ‘Take You Home’ was shot in and around Miami – why was that chosen as the location?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main and initial reason was simple logistics, due to Ellison Kendrick living there! The video was filmed in South Beach, Miami around the iconic areas of Ocean Drive and the Art Deco District with its swaying palm trees, turquoise waters, and iconic architecture. It’s funny because when we worked together a few years back on a song called \u201cCan\u2019t Explain\u201d, he flew over from the USA to London to film the music video and when it came to choosing the location for the music video for \u201cTake You Home\u201d, it seemed like a good idea to travel to him, not that I really needed an excuse to film in Miami, of course. Plus, Ellison is no stranger to the camera in Miami as he featured with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in the most recent Bad Boys<\/em> film, also shot in Miami.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s next for Benjamin Race? What can fans expect?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am working on a new single coming in early 2024! I am off to Abbey Road again in a few weeks for a mastering session. The video is nearly done, too. So, keep your eyes peeled in early 2024!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And finally, what question do you wish someone would ask you in an interview, but nobody ever does?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

No one asks what my favourite pizza is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So here it goes\u2026. Quattro Formaggi, there I said it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch the music video for \u2018Take You Home\u2019 below and find out more about Benjamin Race and his music online on his official\u00a0website<\/a>,\u00a0YouTube<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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