More house than tech, more deep than disco. Denver-based DJ, producer, and promoter Brennen Bryarly, a.k.a Option4, has been spewing fire beats and hosting banger parties sicker than your average since 2012, when he founded TheHundred Presents in hopes of bringing the music and vibes of the underground to his new hometown in Colorado. Fast forward to 2017 and you’ve got what appears to be one of his busiest and wildest years to date. This summer saw his house tune “Big Bang” become one of Beatport’s fastest charting singles, his viral sensation Producer Discovery Project broke the internet, and he officially adopted the title label head of his new imprint HotBoi Records, recently signing 11 brand new artists. In the midst of the madness, Option4 is set to bring down the Bronx at BangOn!NYC’s Elements Festival this Sunday. Before heading over to the big apple, we had a chance to catch up on all he’s been up to lately. Here’s what he had to share with us!
Your latest track “Big Bang” is fire! Can you tell us a little bit about it and its success so far?
Option4: Aww thanks! It has the world’s most obnoxious bongo breakdown hahahaha..it was a fun tune to make. I was sort of inspired by this raunchy synth line thing that reminded me of old school electro house type stuff, so I used that during the breakdowns and mimic’d it for a baseline and it worked out. It’s been getting support from some of the biggest names in the world so that was super humbling. Plus, I mean, Nervous is amazing so overall it’s just been a really fun release. Anytime you hit Radio1 with a tune it’s something to celebrate!
Before this release, you wrapped up your viral sensation Producer Discovery Project. For those who don’t know, can you tell us about the idea behind the project, your experience throughout the process, and what lead you to finding Dusty Digital and The Munk Machine?
Option4: Well as a promoter I was just kind of getting tired of getting acts forced down my throat all the time. Once you start throwing shows for a living it gets into this whole different ball game that constantly challenges your integrity and what you actually love. Fortunately, I’ve been able to maintain that balance so far.. but in the beginning I ONLY booked stuff solely off the music. I wasn’t worried about ticket draw or how big the act was. We discovered so much amazing music 5 years ago that all grew into basically mainstream dance music nowadays. I wanted to get back to the roots for a second and just see what was out there. Book the music I thought was the best and bring it out to our parties. I had NO idea it was going to go so viral. It was a lot bigger of a project than I had anticipated BUT.. once I was committed I was kinda just.. dunno.. I had to do it or else face the wrath of the internet, haha.
Let’s talk about HotBoi records. You’ve just signed an incredible 11 new artists to the label for its first ever release. What can we expect?
Option4: OMG THIS IS THE MOST EXCITING THING! Umm the music is all over the place. When I did that producer search I realized there were just a lot of awesome producers out there that were like me.. except less connected. SO I thought, well, let me just start a label and actually do it honestly. Let me listen to EVERY demo. Let me do my best to put these kids on that haven’t had a chance yet. It’s been the funnest process. The branding is on POINT. The march is ON POINT. THE MUSIC IS FANTASTIC. It all releases middle of September. I haven’t been this excited in forever! Haha.
Is there anyone specific you’re hoping to sign in the future, or an ideal artist you have in mind to represent the label?
Option4: Well I’m ONLY going to do seasonal compilations. The Label is going to focus JUST on small undiscovered artists. Not to toot my own horn but I had a ton of big names reach out to explore what my goals for the label were, but I just explained that the point of the label is to discover new music. I might release some EP’s in between comps for close friends to help them out release schedule wise maybe, but at the moment just expect DOPE compilations every 3-4 months with the hottest artwork in the game.
You’ve been playing some really awesome shows lately. What has been your favorite one so far this year?
Option4: OMG WHEN GREEN VELVET asked to go B2B with me for 4 hours the other night at Club Vinyl. That was.. the most bananas thing that ever happened to me. He’s someone I’ve always admired so that was special. We crushed that junk.
How was it hosting Denver’s first ever Boiler Room?
Option4: Haha, stressful and crazy and fun and unexpected? I didn’t know I was gonna host it til the day before and I didn’t know how to host anything. I just got hammered and when technical difficulties came around I didn’t know what to do other than call response stuff. It was just as embarrassing as one would think. At least it’s on the internet forever. THIS IS DENVERRRRRR hahahahahahahaha.. hopefully the next time I’m on the decks instead of making a fool of myself. All that being said it was super cool to have a BR come to my town. Been wanting that to happen forever.
We’re so excited for Elements NYC! You’ll be there, and we’ll be there watching. What do you have in store for us and the rest of your fans?
Option4: OH MAN ME TOO! Um, I’m scared of how hot it might be because I’ve heard stories haha.. but mainly I’m just excited to show off a bunch of all this new music I’ve been writing that’s not out yet.
How would you compare the vibe of playing in New York City to your hometown of Denver?
Option4: It’s pretty much the same for me, on my end anyhow, except I’m gonna be fighting to stay sober a lot more in Denver. Sea level makes me feel like superman hahah!
Where can your fans track you down the rest of the summer?
Option4: Just doing splash house fest this summer and Elements. Going to be on tour in September and November though this year, so hopefully I’ll be able to get out a lot more this year.
Be sure to check out Option4 at Elements NYC, and keep an eye out for his upcoming release “Workin” with Worthy, out August 25 on Love & Other!
Connect with Option4:
https://www.facebook.com/option4music
https://twitter.com/option4music
https://soundcloud.com/option4music
https://www.instagram.com/option4music/
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