Bro Safari Opens Up About Substance Abuse, Return to Music: “I Am In a Much Better Place Now” – EDM.com

I haven’t been silent as a result of I don’t have something to say. I’ve been silent as a result of I don’t know methods to say it.

Nonetheless, listed here are some ideas…

Simply earlier than Covid hit, I made a decision that I wanted a break from the Bro Safari challenge. I used to be experiencing a significant case of burn out. I wasn’t engaged on music and I had been touring a lot that it was impacting my bodily and psychological well being in a fairly extreme method.

As soon as the lockdowns occurred, I retreated into a fair deeper gap. I remoted to the purpose the place I alienated myself from the world. That included friends, followers, followers and even some shut pals. This wasn’t intentional. After some time, I discovered myself uncertain of methods to even transfer ahead.

I entered remedy.

Remedy did loads for me, mentally. I used to be in a position to rid myself of quite a lot of guilt that I had been harboring for a lot of causes through the years. Throughout my time touring as Bro Safari, I had turned to alcohol & substances to manage. It was dumb, and I remorse each second of that life-style. It was an absolute waste of my expertise, time, well being and power. Lots of people say “No Regrets” however that isn’t me. I remorse it. That doesn’t imply that I didn’t be taught from it, although. I can safely say that I’ll by no means go down that path once more.

Earlier than I transfer on, I wish to say that I’m in a a lot better place now. I am pleased with the place my life is and I’m not on the lookout for any sympathy right here. That is merely an act of transparency.

Music: Through the lockdowns and as much as at the present time, I’ve been actively engaged on music. I realized methods to play the piano and I reignited my ardour for dwell music. I grew up enjoying in bands, so choosing up my guitar once more has introduced me quite a lot of pleasure. Having stated that, I spent roughly zero hours engaged on something that resembles Lure, Moombahton, Dubstep or something underneath the EDM/BroSafari umbrella. It isn’t that I don’t take pleasure in bass music, however I merely haven’t wished to make it. I’m undecided that I ever will once more. *THAT* is what has been so exhausting to say to you all. You handed me this unbelievable platform and following, and I felt like I’d be betraying that by shifting away from what made me fashionable within the first place.

I’m 43 years outdated. At this age, I’ve come to note that life strikes in chapters. I had my chapter as a youth, enjoying in punk bands in Atlanta. The subsequent chapter was my Drum & Bass challenge, Evol Intent. Then, I flailed for a number of years and did varied initiatives like Minus Music and Ludachrist. Then got here Bro Safari, which was my most profitable challenge. I had no concept that it could grow to be so properly obtained. A lot in order that when it did, I had a extreme case of Imposters Syndrome. Chances are you’ll not have seen it from the group, however I used to be unbelievably nervous all through your complete Bro Safari life cycle. I usually had no confidence within the music that I used to be making and I spent loads time doubting myself. Don’t get me mistaken, I had a blast doing it for essentially the most half, however I at all times had this nagging feeling, like I didn’t deserve it or it ought to have been another person up there. Remedy helped me to work by way of a few of these emotions, but when I have been to start out making that sort of music once more, I concern that it could return. Why? As a result of I do know that, in my soul, it’s time to maneuver on to a brand new chapter.

So, what does that imply? Am I finished with this challenge solely? The reply to that’s – Sure, in its former type, I gained’t be returning to that, however I’m additionally scared to shut the door on the challenge as an entire. I believe that the most effective factor I may do now’s be sincere about these things with everybody as a substitute of internalizing every little thing and ignoring the world. In an ideal state of affairs, I launch some new initiatives after which perhaps return to Bro Safari with a brand new perspective, if it feels proper. Till then, I really feel as if I ought to say this: I nonetheless wish to make and carry out music. It simply will not sound like what you all could anticipate.

I discussed earlier that I’ve actively been engaged on music for the previous few years. So, I’ll elaborate on a few of that for anybody who’s nonetheless studying and .

First up, I have been collaborating on a hip hop challenge with Armanni Reign for fairly a while now. We wrote so many songs that we completed an album final 12 months. When it was time to launch it, we determined it wasn’t ok, so we went again to the drafting board, picked our favorites after which wrote much more music to spherical out an album. On the finish of the day, We have discovered ourselves sitting on about 25 songs. Our plan is to launch a handful as an album after which the remainder as a B sides launch, shortly after. The album is formally completed now and we’re engaged on paintings, movies and ultimate masters. I’ll maintain individuals posted on the progress, however please know that it’s not too far off, and we’re each very pleased with it.

Subsequent up, UFO! My favourite collaborative associate. ( @ItsUFO ) He and I’ve written a ton of music over the previous few years. Starting from experimental bass music to ambient soundscapes to Jungle/DnB. We wish to launch ALL of it. He and I shall be launching 1 or 2 new initiatives within the close to future to get them on the market. The primary launch would be the experimental bass music I discussed. That shall be within the type of an EP, which is being mastered very quickly. After that, we shall be releasing the ambient challenge. After that, we’ve A LOT of Jungle and Drum and Bass to launch. That one could take a bit longer as we’ve most likely 20+ tracks to combine and grasp. Once more, I am going to be certain to drop progress updates right here as usually as needed.

Subsequent – I discussed that I reignited my ardour for dwell music. Final 12 months, the drummer that I grew up enjoying in bands with moved to Austin. He and I’ve been writing for a 12 months or so now. We’ve taken our greatest concepts and are presently fleshing out an EP w/ the singer I labored with on my Minus Music challenge. That could be a bit additional out, however I’ve to say that I am extremely excited for it, because it’s the kind of music I really feel that I used to be born to make. I’m at my finest as a musician when I’ve a guitar in my fingers. I’ve to pursue that.

So, there’s my replace.

I wish to provide a really honest apology for not being extra upfront about what was occurring with me over the previous few years. I didn’t really feel like I had something to say, however in actuality, I used to be scared to say what I knew to be true. I needed to distance myself to realize readability. I now understand that got here on the expense of some friendships and followers. I actually apologize for that.

Now, shifting ahead, I really feel the necessity to say this. I dislike social media with a ardour. It was a significant a part of what made me develop to resent the Bro Safari expertise. I loathed being informed that I had to do that or that in an effort to drive ticket gross sales, and so forth. I perceive that’s the business norm, however I don’t prefer it. I can’t be pressured to comfortably placed on a smile and promote myself like a product in a crowded market. I envy those that don’t have any downside doing it, however I can’t deliver myself to be that particular person. If I’m to be “lively” on social media, It must be on my phrases. I’m a personal particular person, by nature, so sharing myself feels invasive. Nevertheless, I’ve additionally come to comprehend that I would like to have a look at you all like a household as a substitute of as an viewers. You gave me every little thing that I’ve and I must keep in mind that, shifting ahead. That doesn’t imply that I’m going to be posting loads, however after unloading all of this, my hope is that I’m now not scared to.

That’s sufficient for now. Thanks for taking the time to learn all of this. That is actually a spur of the second, stream of consciousness rambling, so I apologize if issues come throughout as complicated at instances.

Thanks for (nonetheless) being right here.

<3
– Nick