Interview with Russell Bret – December 2022

Hi Russell, welcome to Precision Records! It’s a true pleasure to experience your debut album, Swim, and introduce you as an artist on our label. Your music brings a fresh, empowering sound that resonates deeply with so many people. It’s incredibly inspiring that you produced Swim independently, while overcoming numerous obstacles. Your artistry truly embodies resilience, and we’re excited to support you as you continue to shape the future of music. We look forward to collaborating on projects that amplify your powerful message.

We appreciate the opportunity to ask you a few questions and dive deeper into your creative process and the story behind Swim.

 

Where did you grow up?

I’m from Sayreville, New Jersey. When I was nine, my family moved to California. It was strange at first—being from New Jersey, I sounded nothing like the other kids. But eventually, I began to fit in. I fell in love with skateboarding, the beach, and the apricot trees. California was amazing.

 

How did you wind up where you are?

I grew up admiring my dad’s carefree, party-driven lifestyle. He was charismatic and adventurous, and as a young boy, I thought that was the ideal way to live. However, my mom had a different vision for our family. After a few years, she moved us back to New Jersey and divorced him, hoping for a fresh start. By then, I had already picked up unhealthy habits from trying to emulate my father. Without clear direction or goals, I drifted aimlessly. Eventually, this led me to prison—a turning point in my life. Prison forced me to confront my choices, and it gave me the clarity to seek purpose and rebuild my life.

 

What are your musical influences?

My father was a harmonica player and my mother was a devoted Elvis fan. We had a large, furniture-style record player in our living room, and I spent hours listening to their music collection. They had albums by Carly Simon, Neil Sedaka, B.J. Thomas, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, The Carpenters, and many others. We were truly a musical family.

As I got older, I fell in love with two bands: Blue Öyster Cult and Pink Floyd. But I also loved Styx, King Crimson, The Delfonics, Black Sabbath, Santana, Iron Maiden, Grateful Dead, The Stylistics, The Pretenders, Mötley Crüe, and even Bach. My musical tastes were all over the place.

 

What inspired you to start writing music?

I always loved singing the songs I grew up with, often having singing contests with friends in the park. Eventually, I joined a neighborhood band that practiced in the garage after school. While we mostly performed covers, I began experimenting with writing my own songs. This led to roles as a frontman for various bands.

I discovered jingle writing and successfully sold one to a car dealership, which opened doors for me to compose for established music artists. Despite these successes, my tumultuous personal life—shaped by addiction and a broken home—ultimately led to my incarceration.

Within the confines of my cell, I began to channel my experiences into an outpouring of music. I discovered that it transports me from a feeling of despair to one of hope. It’s cathartic, really. It’s hard to explain, but I don’t think I would have written most of my songs if I hadn’t lived a life of struggles.

Now, by expressing myself creatively, I find that I can transcend my bleak existence. It’s a path to healing and it fills me with joy. It’s important to never give up on your passions. I hope to empower others and demonstrate that, despite our circumstances, we all have a unique purpose, regardless of where we are.

 

Part 2 (Fan Questions)

Michael, Las Vegas, Nevada:

Can you tell us about your method of writing and producing?

For me, composing music is instinctive. Whether I’m strumming a guitar, playing a keyboard, or working with a synthesizer, I naturally turn my thoughts and feelings into songs. Writing comes relatively easily to me, but the real challenge lies in production. Capturing the distinct sound I envision in my mind and translating it into something that sounds the same on a radio requires endless tweaking and remixing. Sometimes, it can take months to perfect just one song.

Being incarcerated has forced me to approach music creation with resourcefulness and creativity. Without access to professional equipment, I rely on the most basic tools to compose and produce my songs. This limitation, surprisingly, has taught me patience and has pushed me to innovate. For instance, a mistake during recording can become the spark for a new idea—a process I call ‘happy mistakes.’ These moments challenge me to look beyond perfection and embrace the raw authenticity of my sound. While this process requires endless tweaking, it’s incredibly rewarding when a song aligns with my vision.

When I listen to what feels like the finished product, it often sparks new ideas. Each song becomes a stepping stone, continually fueling my excitement for future creations.

 

Debbie, Marlboro, New Jersey:

What drives your passion for creating music, and how does it impact your life?

Music creation is a limitless journey of self-expression, offering a sense of freedom I don’t find anywhere else. It’s more than just a passion—it’s a way of life. I’ve tried many other things, but nothing compares to the fulfillment I get from composing. Music allows me to explore endless directions, connecting me to a Zen-like flow. It’s an infinite, boundless energy that fuels my spirit. Creating music helps me find joy and meaning, and it’s a gift I hope to share with others.

 

Zach, Sayreville, New Jersey:

Your album Swim was chosen as the soundtrack for a new film in development with the same name. Can you tell us more about this?

Yes, the recently released book Swim is being adapted into a movie. Each song on my album Swim aligns seamlessly with the chapters in the lives of the film’s characters. I’m thrilled that the album has been chosen as the soundtrack, as it has the potential to deepen the emotional impact of the story.

I’m especially excited to see my album take on new life in the animated film. I truly believe the movie will inspire audiences on an even deeper level, sharing a powerful message of perseverance, resilience, and embracing one’s uniqueness.

 

Eric, Sacramento, California:

What’s Monday with Morty about?

Monday with Morty is a tribute to our late drummer, Marty, whose blunt yet lovable personality left an unforgettable mark. After Marty’s passing, I decided to honor his legacy by creating Morty, the animated embodiment of our band’s logo. Through Morty, Marty’s spirit lives on as part of an interactive project where fans are invited to decipher riddles and unlock hidden meanings for rewards. It’s a heartfelt way to keep Marty’s memory alive while connecting with our incredible community. To learn more, visit Morty’s page and join in the tribute. Marty was an original member of Poodlehead and an irreplaceable friend.