Subscribe

* indicates required
Okayplayer News

To continue reading

Create a free account or sign in to unlock more free articles.

By continuing, you agree to the Terms of Service and acknowledge our Privacy Policy

Brasstracks Encourages Audiophiles To “Stay There” Featuring Xavier Omär
Brasstracks Encourages Audiophiles To “Stay There” Featuring Xavier Omär
Photo Credit: Justine Vanderpool

Brasstracks Encourages Audiophiles To “Stay There” Featuring Xavier Omär

Lenny Kravitz, Grace Jones, Lauryn Hill, Lion Babe, Thundercat, SZA & More Rock The Afropunk Festival 2015 in Brooklyn, NY. Photo Credit: Justine Vanderpool

The super talented jazz/hip-hop band Brasstracks brings their ultra-distinctive sound with a new song co-starring Xavier Omär.

If you’ve only heard the name Brasstracks when listening to Chance the Rapper’s “No Problem,” then please dig into their catalog ASAP. The Grammy Award-winning artist-and-production duo have impressed audiophiles with their genre-breaking sound and connected with some of the best in the game.

STREAM: Brasstracks' EP 'For Those Who Know Part 1" 

Now, the producer duo comprised of Ivan Jackson and Conor Rayne recruit one of R&B’s most refreshing voices, Xavier Omär, for their latest single titled “Stay There”.

LISTEN: Brasstracks Connects With VanJess For The Summer Wave Cut, "Favorite"

The record is laced with a plethora of instruments, in true Brasstracks fashion. Having worked with the likes of Anderson .Paak, GoldLink, Maségoand even The Underachievers, it was a no-brainer to recruit Omär to lay down his smooth vocals.

Okayplayer got some time with them as we talk about XO, how “Stay There” came to be, and share the stream for your ears to enjoy, below.

Okayplayer: How did you guys link up?

Ivan Rayne: We knew of Xavier Omär from back in his SPZRKT days and were always fans of his voice. Shortly after he changed his name, Xavier got passed a beat that we did with Louie Lastic back in the day. It turned into “Special Eyes” on his project. When we heard it, we knew we had to make more records with him. He’s truly a talent.

OKP: How did the concept of "Stay There" come about?

IR: The concept and message of the track has a lot more to with Xavier’s writing and whatever he was feeling at the time. The sound of the track, however, had to do with where our heads are at right now. It’s a happy sounding, summer record. I guess we’re happy right now. Life is good and we’re making moves.

OKP: What was the dynamic in the studio like?

Conor Rayne: Ivan and I worked on the instrumental between our home studio and flux studios, and got it to a place that was ready for vocals. When Xavier sent us back the stems, everything immediately fell into place with little work. He nailed the song!

OKP: What do you want fans to get from this record?

IR: It’s a summer record. We want people to kick back, play it at their barbecue, and feel good!

CR: We’re happy to be back to making some feel good music for the people.

OKP: Xavier, how does it feel collaborating with Brasstracks who have worked with some of hip-hop and R&B's hottest artists?

Xavier Omär: It’s an honor. The first time we worked was a bit accidental. They had done a record with producer Louie Lastic, and I had reached out to him to work. Turns out, we used the record they made together and now it’s my song (“Special Eyes”). So to have this opportunity to create from scratch with them and work directly, it meant a lot to me and I’m happy they loved the record from the very first draft.

--

ShirleyJu is a Los Angeles-based writer who grew up in the Bay Area. She lives, breathes, and sleeps hip-hop, and is literally on top of new music the moment it is released. If there’s a show in L.A., you can find her there. Follow the latest on her fomoblog.com and on Twitter @shirju.