For those on the east coast, Brian Cid needs no introduction. New Yorkers will know him well, as he’s spent years ripping through Brooklyn and Manhattan with his head turning house and techno tunes, alongside mixing and mastering engineering for today’s top pop artists like Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, and Bruno Mars. From his releases on the praised Suara and Afterlife labels to his sets in Ibiza, headlining the Brooklyn Mirage, and most recently at Cityfox Odyssey NYE & NYD, the ENDANGERED boss has become a force to be reckoned with in the underground.
No doubt, 2018 treated Brian Cid well, but it was his closing move before the new year that made his biggest mark on the industry thus far— the release of his full length, debut artist album, Meteorite Man. This 10-track stunner on Balance takes listeners on a euphoric journey that is enthralling from beginning to end and proves the producer’s exquisite craftsmanship. Going into 2019, we got the chance to chat with Brian Cid to dive into the album, talk about his new label, and what’s up next.
RR: Thanks so much for chatting with us! Let’s jump right into it. How did you come up with the concept for the album?
Brian Cid: Thank you for having me! I wanted to gather a selection of powerful tracks that narrates a collection of personal experiences, which led to the evolution of my mind and soul. After years of working on music I have realized how much it can impact someone’s journey in life. This has led me to take this into account at the moment of being creative. Meteorite Man is a reflection of that. It’s someone that has come to earth to make a big impact on our evolution as humans. The search of inner strength, self-love and the power within.
RR: You mentioned you wanted to take listeners on a musical journey. The eight-minute opening track beautifully sets the tone for this otherworldly trip. Did you purposely produce or arrange the tracks in any particular way to create this experience?
Brian Cid: The tracks were created organically without any plan in mind. As I traveled to different parts of the world I created them based on what I was going through in my mind. Then I came back and selected the pieces that told the story I wanted to tell. It all flowed naturally without much planning. It all clicked.
RR: Which track are you most drawn to?
Brian Cid: They are all key pieces to the puzzle and they all shine in their respective environment. “Limits” is one that ignited the inspiration of some of the rest. It’s also a very uplifting one. It’s very powerful, maybe my favorite along with “Doors of Perception.”
RR: This 10-piece debut album is a massive undertaking. Did you always plan for this to be such a big release?
Brian Cid: To be honest I didn’t think much of it while I was putting the project together. All I wanted was to share this music I had, because most of them were tracks I was playing exclusively in my shows. I felt like it was time for people to hear them in their desired setting. It was time to let them free.
RR: Where did the album title manifest from?
Brian Cid: A gift I received from a dear friend many years ago. An actual piece of a meteorite. I kept this and held it in a very special place. I think it just all burst out of me at some point and the idea came along.
RR: Whether it’s a beach setting, the desert, or a warehouse, is there any place you visualize being the perfect setting for this album to play out?
Brian Cid: Most of these tracks require a big dramatic setting so they can be appreciated to the max. They need a big sound system and dim lights. As far as the location, it wouldn’t matter much. What matters the most is where the listener is standing within their mind and soul.
RR: You’ve had a massive year so far with two big highlights being in your home territory of Brooklyn with Afterlife and Morgana at The Mirage. How were those for you?
Brian Cid: This year has been filled with gifts. I feel very grateful for the love I’ve been getting through my art. Those two were very special, as they were in Brooklyn next to my dearest family and friends, but there are so many other amazing shows I had across the world this year. I look forward to the next ones we have lined up.
RR: What can we expect from you and your new imprint and event series, ENDANGERED, in the new year?
Brian Cid: My label ENDANGERED is growing organically and getting the appreciation and respect I was looking for. We’ve been releasing very unique music, and have our own sound. We have a series of releases lined up and we plan to continue to expand to other parts of the world, where we’ll be showcasing our amazing talents. We are building a strong family and it’s a true blessing. 2019 will be key for us.
Be sure to listen to Brian Cid’s dynamic Meteorite Man album now.
Connect with Brian Cid:
https://www.facebook.com/BrianCidMusic
https://www.twitter.com/BrianCid
https://www.instagram.com/BrianCid
https://www.soundcloud.com/BrianCid