Hyp Magazine Article On Doug Brown

HÝP Magazine December 2000
SPOTLIGHT ON DOUG BROWN
Multi-Talented, Experimental Artist Goes Digital With Nucleus
by Ryan LaBo Staff Writer/Editor

"I really got to reach my audio vision that I had imagined in my brain. Much like a painter, I had many more colors this time," says Doug Brown of recording his newest album, Nucleus, his first all-digital disc. "Before, I was stuck with limited analog tracks and wasn't quite free to layer the way I wanted to." Nucleus (see pg.9 ) is Brown's third national release, following 1999's Magna Nova and 1998's Emblem. Aided by publicity from radio, television, dance clubs, and live performance, Nucleus has consistently been selling out. Brown, now 27, began his entertainment career at age nine, when he entered the Akron Children's Theater and immediately landed the leading role in a production of Tom Sawyer. A string of leading roles followed as Brown's stage career spanned the next decade. "I had the stars in my eyes very early," Brown says. Also turning his attention toward music, Brown spent several years learning piano, guitar, bass, and drums, as well as being trained as a vocalist for three years. Brown now plays each of these roles on his albums. "I always planned on staying solo, it's always been my style," explains Brown. "I was in a traveling three-piece band in high school, which proved to be a great experience. During those couple of years, I still kept the Doug Brown recording train rollin'," Brown says, referring to the twenty albums he recorded before Emblem, his first national release. "The first song I ever wrote and recorded was in fifth grade," remembers Brown. "I never did do cover songs. It was always my style to write my own stuff." Dubbing himself Poetic Justice, Brown recorded his first album in the sixth grade. "I'm still proud of the work on did on all those early albums," Brown continues. "They weren't kiddy pretend songs, they were legit compositions with layered guitar, drums, keyboards, and vocals. "Very high vocals," Brown adds. Brown's eighteen years in music have evolved into the full-textured, quirky sound heard on Nucleus. "It depends on which release is out," says Brown. "At the moment it's pop-funk. I've done everything from metal to techno." Indeed it seems Brown has done literally everything to earn his climbing status. After touring nationally for Magna Nova, Brown got to work on Nucleus, and, in the meantime, had his music distributed internationally, throughout England, Germany, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Australia. He's also been featured in countless press articles, has hooked up with a back-up band as part of a full-production deal, and, most recently, signed a modeling contract. Brown has also given much back to the industry and to the people, as he taught guitar and composition for eight years and was the featured artist at the 1999 American Cancer Society's Relay for Life benefit.
As for the future, Doug Brown is very comfortable. "I plan on continuing with my recording career," he says. "I do plan on doing a future release, but at the moment we're all riding very high on the wave of Nucleus. "I do promise on future releases to continue to grow and experiment. Music is about creativity and life to me and I will continue to write and perform forever."

Meet DOUG BROWN

Strong influences include the Beatles, Duran Duran, Howard Jones, and ABBA. Has worn lucky charm bracelet to live engagements for over fifteen years. Targeting clubs for teens and early-20's. Also trained in jazz dance, did backing vocals for a Domino's pizza commercial, and will be featured on a Boy Crazy trading card in 2001. Established fan club on Yahoo! Also loves skateboarding and cinema.

HIGH NOTES: DOUG BROWN

"If there's one thing about my music that I pride myself on, it's the willingness to experiment. I don't restrict myself to just one style." -On "breaking the rules" of songwriting

"I do like to collaborate once in a while because it's healthy for a musician to do so." -On his solo status

"As a singer you spend a lot of time worrying about how your voice projects to people. Once you let go of that insecurity and let loose, your voice finds you." -On developing as a vocalist

"I never did have a dry spell. For me, the creative juices are flowing out of my ears. I have a lifetime supply."
-On struggles with songwriting

"If I heard my father telling someone how proud he is of my accomplishments and my music, I'd be very happy about that." -On "The Ultimate Compliment"

"There is no black and white in a Doug Brown song, only gray. That's the beauty of music, it's much like cinema. It's what you bring to it." -When asked about a conscious message behind his music

CONTACT FOR DOUG BROWN:

The Doug Brown Zone
P.O. Box 1654
Wooster, OH 44691
Email: dougbrowncd@hotmail.com

VISIT THE DOUG BROWN ZONE
www.dougbrown.iwarp.com

Spin This
Doug Brown
Nucleus

"Many songs on Nucleus wrote themselves," recalls Doug Brown. "I wanted the album to have a complete vibe from start to finish." The collection of eleven tracks on Nucleus features light pop, dance, and strong elements of funk. "Recording Nucleus was a 24-7 task," says Brown. "I'd start at 8 A.M. and fetch a doughnut then had headphones on until lunch at 2 P.M., then headphones on until 10 P.M. dinner. Maybe an hour workout, then back to headphone world till 5 A.M. This went on for a few weeks."

Nucleus
Track-by-Track

"The One Way": A funky lead-in takes us to Brown's world of light, pure, very upbeat dance-pop. Keyboards, a rocking guitar, and synthesizer F/X light up this track like a Christmas tree. It's about "doing things my one way," says Brown. "Starting the album out with that song was important because if someone didn't like the album or thought I should change something, the underlying theme is that I've done the songs and the things in my life my way."
"Funtonica": Mechanical F/X open, muddled guitar solo joins groove of bass, and we're off in this pop marathon. Strong dance beat of "One Way" has been replaced by heavier guitars.
"Bubble Boy": "This song is the story of my life," explains Brown, "particularly in the past few years. It's about how you see yourself and the relationship between your view versus the world's view. It's a very looking-glass song." Spinning F/X, distorted vocals alternate in this undeniably catchy dance tune.
"Where Are You Now": Weightless lyrics and sound paint a flashy, fun dance scene. Distorted guitar, raining F/X, and throbbing bass line throughout.
"Crush": Slow, echoing vocals and stark sounds contrast sharply with sound-loaded first four tracks. Varied guitar solos back and forth.
"Girl From Madeana": "Egyptian" riff speeds things up after "Crush," again contrasting nicely and keeping sounds fresh. Speedy, pure dance tune.
"Train": 22-second track features scratchy phonograph sound accompanied by period piano, all set to sounds of a passing train.
"This New World": Sci-fi F/X, keys, and distorted vocals on display, as well as lyrics that were, according to Brown, "written at four in the morning".
"Changes": Upbeat, catchy ditty about how life changes directions constantly. Again, richly layered sounds a highlight.
"Pretty Party Thing": Bouncing, funky sound accompanies Brown's direct references to himself in this song that was made for the dance clubs.
"Pepper Jam": Instrumental featuring cuts of robotic dialogue and a flurry of experimental sounds as Brown goes crazy like a kid in a music store. "To finish the album, I wanted to leave the audience with a bang, so I went all-out on an improv funk jam," says Brown. "That was a fun tune because I broke so many rules in traditional song writing. It's funk, it's
techno, it's jazz, it's metal."

TO BUY THE CD

Nucleus can be purchased at any On Cue music outlet in the United States through the Musicland Group, Inc. You may also purchase the CD through the official website www.dougbrown.iwarp.com. Through CCNow, a secure on-line retailer, all major credit cards, personal checks, and money orders are accepted.
Article by Ryan LaBo Staff Writer/Editor of HÝP Magazine December 2000