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. The fact that you produced Swim independently, overcoming numerous obstacles, is incredibly inspiring. Your journey and artistry truly embody 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, where I grew up in the same neighborhood as Bon Jovi and attended the same high school.

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 following in my dad’s footsteps, admiring his carefree, party-driven lifestyle. I thought it was cool and wanted to be just like him. However, my mom had a different vision for our family. After a few years, she moved us back to New Jersey and divorced him. By that time, I had already adopted unhealthy habits and was drifting through life without any clear direction or goals. Eventually, this path led me to prison, which became a turning point. It made me realize the importance of finding purpose and direction in life.

What are your musical influences?

My father was a harmonica player and his band released a jazz album in the 1960s. 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, Carole King, 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, Blue Magic, 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 in New Jersey.

I discovered jingle writing and successfully sold commercial jingles to a car dealership. This opened doors for me to meet and compose for two established artists from New York and New Jersey. However, despite these successes, my tumultuous personal life, shaped by addiction and a broken home, eventually 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 (conclusion)

Russell, for the final segment we’ve selected five questions submitted to us by your fans.

Let’s begin with Michael, in 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 limits me to the most basic equipment. Working with such humble means takes a lot of patience and finesse. It’s a process filled with what I call ‘happy mistakes,’ which becomes part of the craft. Despite the challenges, I’m relentless until the piece 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.

This one is from Debbie, in Marlboro, New Jersey:

What does making music mean to you?

Music creation is an ageless journey, with no boundaries. There’s so many nuances. It’s an expressive energy that seems inexhaustible. I can explore any direction my mind takes me. It’s a freedom I don’t get from anything else. I’ve tried many other things but was always left feeling empty. Music creation leads me to the infinite. It’s very Zen.

This is from Zach, in 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, which reflects my personal journey of overcoming life’s challenges, aligns seamlessly with the different chapters in the lives of the film’s characters. I was thrilled when the producer approached me to use the album as a soundtrack, recognizing its potential to deepen the emotional experience of the story.

I’m extremely excited that my album, Swim, which has already resonated with audiences globally, will now take on new life in the animated film. I truly believe the movie will inspire viewers on an even deeper level, sharing a powerful message of perseverance, resilience, and embracing one’s uniqueness.

This one is from Eric, in Sacramento, California:

What’s Monday with Morty about?

Monday with Morty is a tribute to our late drummer, Marty, honoring his blunt yet endearing personality, which is dearly missed. Now that he’s passed, his alter ego Morty receives messages that need interpreting. We invite fans to decipher the meanings and win rewards in the process. Visit his page to learn more. Marty was an original member of Poodlehead, and I miss him deeply.