WHAT IS PULSE?

Pulse Music Journal is Saskatchewan’s hub for music indulgers. We ‘eat/sleep/breathe’ the music and entertainment industry – plug into our outlet while we highlight new music, recap live performances, and interview the biggest names, local legends, and the newest initiatives surrounding our local music scene. We are honoured to be a leading cultural staple in the Saskatchewan music and entertainment scene.

WE SUPPORT SASKATCHEWAN’S ENTERTAINMENT & MUSIC SCENE

Whether it’s reaching out to a newly released project, musician or creating a spotlight for local talent to be heard on any of our stages, as well as opportunities to be heard opening for larger acts on our full-venue stage. We look forward to reopen and launch our newest concepts that strongly support the local music in our city. The local music scene is super important to us – we are a small city, but we have big dreams. Let’s grow and support each other – putting Saskatchewan on the map for premium music and entertainment experience.

FACTOR EIGHT AND JESSE BROWN REUNITE MUSICALLY WITH THEIR FIRST COLLABORATIVE RELEASE – “LIGHT”.

Factor Eight is a musician, producer and multi-faceted creative. Jesse Brown is a master pianist, composer, and recording artist. With years of sharing music knowledge and creative vision with one another, “Light” highlights a new spark from their music past. Jesse Brown being Factor Eight’s piano teacher – Jesse played a very important role for Factor Eight’s introduction to music. Although Jesse Brown could say “I taught him everything he knows” – they both say they have learned a lot from each other in music and in life. The 8:56 composition is available on all streaming platforms now.

Factor Eight and Jesse Brown join us to go over the start of their music relationship, both being nominated for the same SMA category, what inspired them to work together on “Light”, and what they learned from each other. We also learn about their individual careers, Jesse Brown’s ‘Where To?’, Factor Eight’s upcoming album, and so much more.

MUSIC, DANCE, AND PHOTOGRAPHY.

HOW DID THESE ALL COME INTO YOUR LIFE? DO THEY INFLUENCE EACH OTHER IN ANYWAY? WHAT CAME FIRST?

FACTOR EIGHT: Music and dance came into my life in tandem. Legend has it that my mom was teaching dance up until the day I was born. They live in my bones, and I think that will never change. Photography is something I casually fell into. As music and dance became the focus of my career, it was nice to find another creative means to express myself — something with less weight or expectation. I still know very little about photography, but enjoy exploring the craft when the inspiration arises. Influence wise, there are common principles like texture and dynamics that have inspired me across disciplines in all directions. It is a creative challenge to regularly switch gears between practices, most notably between music and dance, but I find that each practice provides a unique lens to view the other in.

CREATING FILM SCORES AND SOUND DESIGN FOR VIDEO IS THE PERFECT COMBINATION OF YOUR ABILITIES AS A VISUAL ARTIST AND SOUND ARTIST.

ANY PLANS OF CREATING PROJECTS USING ALL OF YOUR MEDIA TALENTS?

FACTOR EIGHT: Many of the projects from the past that I am most proud of have been multidisciplinary — usually collaborations with other artists across various disciplines. My primary motivation is to inspire emotion in my audience. As I have found that multi-disciplinary work can have a uniquely immersive impact, I often explore new practices to pursue this end. I look forward to seeing what this exploration will bring in impending releases and revelations.

3 YEARS OF BEING NOMINATED FOR WCMA BREAKOUT WEST VISUAL MEDIA COMPOSER OF THE YEAR.

HOW DOES THAT FEEL TO BE ONE OF FEW TO BE IN THAT CATEGORY?

FACTOR EIGHT: The first year, the nomination was for one of the first pieces I had scored, ’Garbo’. When I found out about the nomination, I called the director of the film (Mike Goldstein) and was over the moon with excitement. Subsequent nominations were for ‘The Lion’ by Nano Clow, and ‘Citizen’ by Brock Newman — it was a joy and honour to work with each of them.

Music can be a solitary, isolating practice. The collaborative nature working in film is something I value for this reason, among others. Alone, it can be difficult to know when you’ve created something that resonates well, and that feeling is heightened with the ruminating doubt that comes along with some of my perfectionist tendencies. Nominations such as these are an encouraging symbol that you are doing something right, to stay the path, and keep moving forward.

 

 

BEING A PRODUCER THAT CREATES SONGS FOR ARTISTS AND PROJECTS.

YOU OFTEN WILL BE PLACED OUTSIDE OF THE SPOTLIGHT AND LET THE RELEASE SPEAK FOR ITSELF. DOES THE NEWEST ALBUM FEEL DIFFERENT IN ANY WAY? 

FACTOR EIGHT: With this project, I have been re-examining what is expected of an artist, and the process of creating and releasing work to an audience. Recently, I have refrained from putting myself into the limelight along with the work, and am finding value in letting the message of the art speak for itself over the course of time.

AFTER TAKING A BIT OF A BREAK FROM RELEASING YOUR OWN PROJECTS.

THE ALBUM ‘A DØ’ RELEASES IN DECEMBER OF THIS YEAR. WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? WHAT IS DIFFERENT FROM YOUR OTHER PROJECTS?

FACTOR EIGHT: This project is a bit greater in scope than my previous work. I’ve been exploring the relationship between the self, the artist, and the audience. I look forward to sharing more as the project unfolds.

MOST MUSICIANS START WITH THE PIANO.

WHAT IS YOUR MUSIC UPBRINGING? WHAT ABOUT THE PIANO MADE YOU STICK TO IT?

JESSE BROWN: I grew up in a tiny village north of Prince Albert, and my mom was my first piano teacher. She tells me that when I was very young, I begged her to teach me. I guess that I’ve just always enjoyed the sound of it, and my mom and my uncle’s playing inspired me to the point of no return. 

YOU HAVE WORKED ON A LOT OF PROJECTS WITH OTHER SASKATCHEWAN MUSICIANS.

LIKE JAY AND JO, FACTOR EIGHT AND THERESA SOKYRKA. HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE A KEY MEMBER OF THE SASKATCHEWAN MUSIC COMMUNITY?

JESSE BROWN: I’m happy to be a part of this wonderful community of world class musicians. I feel extremely fortunate and honoured to be involved with all of them. There is a real bounty of talent in our province. I’m excited to also be working on projects with my longtime friends Eileen Laverty and Kimbal Siebert as well. Might even get a funky instrumental track going with Earl Pereira too!

AS OF SEPTEMBER 2020, YOU HAVE 548,946 MONTHLY LISTENERS ON SPOTIFY.

THAT AMOUNT INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE COURSE OF ONE YEAR. WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE TO THAT SUCCESS?

JESSE BROWN: Being on the big lists makes that happen. Nobody knows who these mysterious editors are, but I have to attribute those numbers to the fact that they liked my work. I do my best with what I have control of, and other than that, I have the best friends and colleagues in the business… for example Trevor Case from Case Mastering in Saskatoon always makes sure that I’ve not skipped a button on my shirt. He has been absolutely killing it all over the world in all genre’s, and most people don’t even know that he’s here in his mastering cave twiddling knobs and eating crickets. Also, I would have never made my first recording if it wasn’t for Eileen Laverty and Greg Hargarten encouraging me to do so 9 years ago. The Sask Arts board Emerging Artists grant was huge in helping me to create my first compositions and music books. My piano teacher was always supporting me to perform and work in restaurants and private parties in the city which helped to keep my chops up. My piano students are an endless supply of inspiration as well. I want to do well for them and show them that anything is possible. 

YOUR MUSIC HAS BEEN FEATURED ON COUNTLESS SPOTIFY PLAYLISTS.

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE YOUR PIECES THROWN INTO THE AVERAGE PERSONS DAY? – FIRST CUP OF COFFEE, AFTER SUPPER CHILL OUT, ETC.

JESSE BROWN: It feels wonderful to know that people are being force fed my work all over the world. They really can’t escape me. I’m like a virus. They’re going to have to invent ear masks to protect themselves from my rickety old Heintzman upright. In all seriousness, I hope that my instrumental piano compositions and improvisations will bring peace and warmth to people’s homes. Hopefully the coffee will be a tiny bit less bitter, and the after dinner chill out slightly warmer.

YOUR LATEST ALBUM ‘WHERE TO?’ TAKES THE LISTENER ON A JOURNEY.

WE HAVE NOTICED THE SONG TITLES ARE VERY SIMPLE AND TANGIBLE. WAS THIS INTENDED TO AID THE LISTENER TOWARDS YOUR THOUGHTS, FEELINGS AND IMAGINATION WHEN YOU CREATED EACH PIECE?

JESSE BROWN: Thanks for asking. On the contrary, my hope is to leave the listener with their own thoughts and feelings as they listen. So many are stuck at home with the changed world, and now is a great time to dream and find inspiration in new places.

 

Introducing Bohemian – Brewed in Canada in the tradition of Czech style lagers since 1926, this beer has both taste and balance. Originally independently brewed in Saskatchewan, now brewed in British Columbia. It pours a clear medium gold colour, has low carbonation and a light floral hop aroma mingled with sweet rain smells. Bohemian has a smooth taste, that makes for an easy-drinking beer. Now proudly brewed by Molson Coors Canada with the same tradition of using no preservatives in the original recipe.

A Saskatchewan Tradition – 5% alcohol.

“Light” by Factor Eight + Jesse Brown available now everywhere, click photo to listen.

YOU WERE BOTH NOMINATED FOR SMA AVANTE GARDE ARTIST OF THE YEAR. HOW DID THAT FEEL TO BE UP AGAINST ONE ANOTHER?

JESSE BROWN: I was just happy to be there and meet some very nice people. Being nominated at the same time was a win-win situation. I was honoured to be considered and proud of Andrew at the same time.

FACTOR EIGHT: To be mentioned alongside Jesse Brown for an award nomination is simply an honour. There was nothing but surreal, joyous feelings.

RUMOUR HAS IT THAT JESSE BROWN HELPED FACTOR EIGHT DURING THE EARLY START OF HIS MUSIC CAREER.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE COLLABORATING ON THE LATEST RELEASE “LIGHT”?

JESSE BROWN: I would say it was the other way around. He recommended a book to me years ago called ‘The War of Art’ that I have subsequently lent out to a few other artists along the way.

FACTOR EIGHT: As my piano teacher from an early age, Jesse played an invaluable role in shaping who I am today as a musician. Indeed, I often talk about Jesse as being one of the most important teachers in my life. In contrast, the teacher preceding him told me I should quit piano altogether. Through Jesse’s freeing approach, he sparked a love for music in me that has grown to this day, and more recently, he has been gracious as both a friend and mentor in helping to develop my career. To release a piece with him now… it means a lot.

YOUR NEW TRACK “LIGHT” RELEASED ON OCTOBER 2ND 2020. WHAT INSPIRED THE COLLABORATION? DID THIS BRING YOU BACK TO YOUR EARLY DAYS OF WORKING ON MUSIC TOGETHER?

JESSE BROWN: Andrew has always been a very kind person, and that hasn’t changed. The music has definitely evolved since his time as my student.

FACTOR EIGHTAs this collaboration began years ago when I lived in Vancouver, the piece has taken many shapes and forms between its inception and today. Originally, it began with a harmonium-based movement that transitioned into my own piano solo that just never felt right. Sentimentality aside, I thought it would be just amazing to work with Jesse to create something different. It was such a wonderful experience working together, and he really made the piece what it is today.

With the piece having been revisited at various times over the last five or so years, to me, it has become a kind of meditation on the transient nature of the self — a reflection on personal and artistic growth that has occurred over the course of the work’s development.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM EACH OTHER WHILE WORKING ON “LIGHT”?

JESSE BROWN: I’ve learned that it’s ok to release a piece that is longer than 4 mins long and I’ve learned to appreciate the ‘real life’ sounds even more than before. 

FACTOR EIGHTWith it being so many years since my days as a student playing the great Petrof in his studio, it has been nice to get to know Jesse now in both a professional and personal regard. While the piece turned out beautifully, I am mostly grateful for the experience in working with Jesse, bringing our own musical minds and artistic angles to a collaboration. It was an honour, and I am so pleased to finally share the result with the world.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FACTOR EIGHT AND JESSE BROWN, SEE BELOW

UPCOMING EVENTS

WHAT EVENTS WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO…

Oct 21st

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Oct 30th

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Nov 3rd

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LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT’S TO COME…