Feeling it with Branchez [Exclusive Interview]

Manhattan beat-smith Branchez — born Samuel Kopelman — has been making waves in electronic music due to his silk-smooth production and knack for infectious melodies. In an industry over-saturated with generic ‘EDM’ bent on bigger drops and heavier bass, Branchez’s progressive and beautiful work is one-of-a-kind and gaining traction. His remix of What So Not’s “High You Are,” arguably one of the biggest records of 2013, helped launch the DJ’s career to spinning on Diplo & Friends to going on nation-wide tours with some of the biggest names in dance music. All that being said, Branchez stayed humble as he sat down with RTT during his “Feel This” tour stop at Joy Theater in New Orleans.

You’re currently on your fourth stop of the “Feel This” co-headlining tour with Giraffage. How’s the experience been so far?

It’s been really tight. Giraffage is a good kid and my tour manager is the homie. It’s a great time driving through America playing shows and I’m mad excited for tonight’s show.

How’d this tour come together?

The tour came together kind of quickly, I recently got the same agent that Giraffage has so that’s how we hooked up. It’s my first ever co-headlining tour so it’s been really cool. Before this I was on the road with Paper Diamond and Loudpvck on the “Cold Crush” tour, so this is definitely a different experience completely. It may have come together quickly but I think it works really well, I think Giraffage and I are a really dope combination.

What can people expect from a typical Branchez set?

I try to cover a lot of ground, I usually start with more house-y stuff. I just try and have a few up-and-downs energy-wise with a certain motion throughout my set. I play a lot of my own stuff as well, obviously. Just expect variety and some really groovy shit that still goes hard. I definitely play a lot of that ignorant rap shit too because it fits well in a live setting.

In your own words how would you describe your sound and style?

I try to keep it broad. It’s like “melodic-club” music.

I hear a lot of Australian influence in your production. 

Australia is killing it! I don’t know if its influenced me directly but I play a lot of it. I’m not really trying to emulate that sound, plus there’s a lot more original synth work in their music. I’m more sampled based – I fuck with that music heavy though.

Speaking of Australia, “High You Are” was one of the best remixes of 2013. When you put that record together did you know it was going to blow up like it did? 

Not quite, but I had a sense it was going to be a big record when I was making it. I actually made the whole thing, essentially 90% of it, while I was in Australia which is cool. Before I even knew the What So Not guys I reached out to them to do the remix and it just worked out.

What was the inspiration behind the track?

Certain parts of the original really grabbed me, and I just put my style on it and it came together beautifully. Really proud of that remix.

You’ve always made it a point to be progressive and unique in your music. As electronic music continues to grow and change what’s your advice on how we can combat generic ‘EDM’ and commercial BS?

I don’t necessarily think it’s bullshit – I guess to a certain degree. You can’t control people’s tendency to emulate; it’s natural. In the internet era there’s so many people putting shit out that quality will always come through. People are discovered on the daily and gain support instantly if they’re doing something special. Big money music is always going to exist and that’s not always a bad thing to me.

What’s going on in the future for Branchez?

I have a few stand-alone beat type things I want to put out. And then I’m working on an R&B EP. Like that club R&B Ty Dolla $ign west coast movement type of sound, except with my own take on it.

I know you like hip-hop. What are some rappers that you would love to collaborate with?

Right now, I think me and Young Thug could make a crazy song.

If you weren’t a DJ what would your job be?

When I was younger I said I wanted to be a lego designer. Actually… I’d own a sparkling beverage company and make bank off that.

Any final words for RTT and Branchez fans?

Shout out to Run the trap! Branchez fans I have new music coming very soon, thanks so much for the support. God bless.

Show Branchez some love on  facebook and twitter. 

Feeling it with Branchez [Exclusive Interview]