Brother Earth began in a recording class at NYU, where Chicago-born producer Zach Rosenberg and Atlanta-bred singer Malcolm Macduffie first met. Malcolm was a substitute professor, and Zach was a student in the class.
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Zach Rosenberg - Songwriter, Producer, Mixing Engineer, Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals
Malcolm Macduffie - Songwriter, Lead Vocalist
For starters, what bands were you part of prior to this project? How long has this project been around?
Malcolm has been involved with many different bands prior to Brother Earth, including the band Malcolm, solo hip hop project Lil Bird, and various other Indie Rock bands in NYC. Zach has a few other solo and duo projects, including little Boy, and Julius Barber.
What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
Of course each song is going to have its own unique set of themes and characteristics, but I think that there are some that seem to be threads throughout all of our music. Love, sex, beauty, and death are some popular themes - but I think that the some of the most important threads that exist in our music are the veering towards optimism, and maintaining a celebratory mindset in all situations, whether joyous or engulfed in darkness.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Too many to really name - but I think both Malcolm and I come from different creative places, which is part of what makes the project so interesting. We both draw a lot of inspiration from both super old, and modern artists. For me its everything from Frank Zappa to Bjork, Animal Collective, Of Montreal, Clap! Clap!, Todd Terje, and Sevdaliza. For Malcolm, Debussy, Bob Marley, Brian Wilson, Young Thug, Grimes, etc.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
Not a single one, no.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …
Malcolm has a pretty good routine that he likes to do which involves meditation, and vocal warmups. There isn’t much of a physical component to our show prep. For me its more about practicing for hours every day for a few weeks leading up to a gig.
What has been the biggest highlight of you music career so far?
I think that being able to play underground self organized shows has been the most gratifying experience for us so far. To gather friends and be able to make the shows free/really curate the entire evening makes for a truly special experience that it so important to us.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
This is another instance where Malcolm and I will have differing responses. For me, i’d love to open up for Bjork or Animal Collective on a tour. I think that setting the tone for either of those shows would be an experience of a lifetime.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We will leave you with a quote from Agent Dale Cooper, from the show Twin Peaks.
"Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don’t plan it, don’t wait for it, just let it happen."