An Interview With Kynt
A new album of remixes just dropped from Kynt that features some outrageous and high-octane mixes and all out-dance floor energy and it really has a way of getting you moving.
The tracks on the Club Electronica (The Remixes) album boast endlessly danceable and hard hitting yet melodic and driving singles that all have their own flavor and spin on each one.
There are layers of blasting textures and they hit you with an array of soundscapes that all get your blood pumping, and it feels damn good.
This whole record has this Maimi neon lit summer sunset vibe and it's a beautifully woven piece of work really.
It's been quite some time since you've heard something that keeps the energy up like this album does and that's kind of the point of remixes in dance music honestly. Keep your ass shaking, keep you on the at dance floor and keep the good times going. And that's what a good remix record accomplishes.
This record does all of that with a refreshing and crisp set of tones and approaches that really crush it.
These tracks are addictive and fun as hell. You'll get sucked right on and with each remix there is a new and badass style that all seem to complement each other.
With the release of such a colorful set of remixes we wanted to have a chat with Kynt to find out more about this record and what may be next.
Here's what happened.
RAG: Okay so let's start with Club Electronica album. This record has an amazingly colorful and edgy undertone to it! Where did this album come from?
Oh wow! Thank you so much for taking the time out to listen. I really enjoyed working on this particular album project. Club Electronica is a celebration of my work as New Orleans first documented House Music recording artist. I’ve been performing, recording, and releasing original songs for more than twenty years. Artist like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and many others are now taking House Music mainstream and it is becoming more popular and accessible for independent artists like myself to find larger audiences. This album is a collection of past, new, and present singles with some of my most favorite Billboard ᴰᴶ/Remixer/Producers that have been released worldwide on many different record labels throughout the world. New Orleans’s isn’t really known for House Music but I have been at the forefront representing my city in the global spectrum. This album came from years of dedication and from my love of creating music. It’s an eclectic mix of electro tribal circuit house with a hefty serving of big room arena synergistic anthems that will uplift your spirit and transport you to the dance floor.
RAG: So how did this all begin for you? When did you fall in love with music really?
My grandmother started me on the path to being a musician. I wanted to be a drummer like my dad because I heard he played with different bands in the French Quarter. So I asked my grandmother if I could join the band at my elementary school. From there, while I lived at Boystown of New Orleans, I continued to study music and eventually became drum major at Walter L. Cohen Senior High School. I played clarinet, saxophone, flute, drums, and anything I could pick up basically. It was a very exciting time in my life! Bounce music was just taking off. We had DJ Jubilee, arguably one of the founders of New Orleans Bounce Music, as our Gym Coach, Mystikal, UNLV, and Big Freedia, all of whom were attending Cohen while I was band drum major.
My love for House Music began when I would hear artist like Deee Lite, Crystal Waters, CeCe Peniston, Ten City, PM Dawn, Boney M, Petshop Boys, C&C Music Factory, Kevin Aviance, Mariah Carey, Junior Vazquez, Peter Rauhofer, David Morales, by either playing them at home on my CD player or blasting from the speakers at night on the dance floors of the Legendary black gay clubs Club Lexxus, Club Attractions, Wolfendales, Pin Stripes & Lace and Society Page. I had an extensive collection of all sorts of music, like every album, remix album, import album, hard to find mixes unreleased songs you name it! I had it! I’m mean that’s my thing. While at Boys-town New Orleans, I started writing and recording original songs. Bootleg remixes of my song “Day After Day”, thanks to Napster and the newly developing mp3 technology, began to surface in clubs around the world for which I was offered my first recording contract.
During my freshman year of in college at Loyola University New Orleans my good friend and classmate Josh Eustis (Tel Fon Tel Aviv) and I collaborated on several songs. This is where I started to hone in on my singing, writing, and producing skills. In 2000, thanks largely in part to Mp3.com, I signed several songs to Grammy award nominated and house music legend Roy Davis Jr's Underground Therapy Muzik. At the same time, I gained international exposure through internet and club play which led to a millions of music streams worldwide, slew of number one songs on various Mp3, DJ, and Club chart listings. I also began working with New Orleans House Project, the brainchild of legend Djs John Larner aka DJ Cyberjive and Slater Hogan. In 2007, Kynt Records in a joint venture with MamaHouse Records – Brazil (noted for the #1 Billboard Dance Club Play hit "Altar ft. Jeanie Tracy - Party People" - a song originally recorded and co written by Kynt)
RAG: Who is in your headphones right now?
Well let’s see. I listen to like everything! But here are some of my most favorite albums to right now:
Ten City - Judgement
The Avalanches - We Will Always Love You
Kylie Minogue - Disco: Guest List Edition
Beyonce - Renaissance
Diplo - Diplo
Dual Lipa - Future Nostalgia
Larry Levan - Essentials
Childish Gambino - 3.15.20
Swedish House Mafia - Paradise Again
Kendrick Lamar - Mr. Morales & The Big Steppers
RAG: What inspires you to write a song?
I’m inspired by many different artists, styles, genres, moods, and things. I have perfect pitch so when I’m listening to old records I may hear a melody or section of a song that speaks to me. So I’ll write lyrics to it. Sometimes my producers will send songs to pen lyrics too. I really just enjoy the creative process. If I hear a loop of something or if I’m creating an original song, working on the bass line, strings, drums, the lyrical rhythm arrangement that I hear in my head always tends to flow out into the writing process. I draw from personal, other people, and imaginative experiences to craft songs.
RAG: I'm hearing some great styles on this song. Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
Diana Ross, Vanessa Williams, Sylvester, Martha Wash, Earth Wind & Fire, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Madonna, Byron Stingily, Kristine W, Phyllis. Hyman, Norman Connors , Gino Vamneli, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Luther Vandros, Anita Baker, Queen, there’s so many more but all of these artist saved my life at some point. Their music continues to give me life!
RAG: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
That my friend is definitely a loaded question!
Lol! Well when I’m not performing I work as an actor, dancer-choreographer, freelance educator, social media manager, content creator, and I have a local community dance company called Flash Mob New Orleans.
I’ve been teaching dance for more than twenty five years in New Orleans. Currently, I teach dance classes weekly for several different organizations.
I’m very excited for a film I shot this summer alongside, the one and only, Morgan Freeman and Josh Hutcherson called 57 Seconds. It’s an exciting sci-fi thriller that will blow your mind. There are a lot of fun projects Im working. Check out IMDB page to see some of the cool upcoming film projects: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5426897/
RAG: Would you say live performances are a big part of what you do?
Yes! I love performing! Whether it’s singing, dancing, or both. There is a very special feeling you get and receive when performing that is shared with the audience. That bond created is unbreakable.
RAG: This album feels like a big undertaking, is there any advice you'd give to other up and coming artists out there?
I would have to say listen to your heart artistically and make sure that you are well informed on the business aspects of the music industry if you intend to pursue music a career. Be open and willing to accept criticism from esteemed professionals. Protect your art! Make sure you copyright your songs. Build a team that you can trust. Trust your instincts. And most importantly never give up! Because you’ll never know how far you’ll go.
RAG: What can your fans expect from you in the near future?
You can expect a lot more of from KYNT! Your support is greatly appreciated. I am working on new music and films projects. Make sure you stay up to date by following me on social media platforms and music streaming platforms.
Kynt @ INSTAGRAM:
@kyntmusic
@kennethkyntbryan
@neworleanshousemusic
Kynt @ Twitter:
@kyntmusic
Kynt @ Facebook:
KyntKennethBryan
Kynt @iTunes:https://music.apple.com/us/album/club-electronica-the-remixes/1637724849
Kynt @Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7KrljXhrSNNdnpXgfQJOm1?si=NpVr_fKlRiWtd_zBNHlCXg