Scott Bradlee plays his “Postmodern Jukebox“. Just listen to him…
anna: I can see that you love to “translate” popular songs in different musical languages… How would you feel if you compose a song of your own and afterwards you hear the leitmotif in completely different arrangement?
Scott Bradlee: I think translating melodies into different styles speaks to the endurance of a work. Ever since Mozart did his variations on “Twinkle, Twinkle,” re-arranging popular tunes has been an important part of musical history.
a: Are you tired of listening the same melodies over and over again? Which are the songs that at first you have loved and afterwards you cannot stand anymore?
SB: I think hearing a song over and over actually makes a listener like it for a little while. Pop music is based on familiarity. However, after a lot of repeated listens the song can wear thin. That’s where we come in; we offer a fresh new take on a song, using an old style.
a: And you do it really good. Are you afraid of some kind of music? Can you transform a track that you don’t like so much into a beautiful postmodern song?
SB: So far, no genre is off limits. Hip-hop, country, electronic… all of those can be transformed PMJ style. However, if a song already sounds “vintage,” I usually don’t attempt to change it.
a: Your band Postmodern Jukebox will perform for the first time in Bulgaria… Are you familiar with some Bulgarian musicians?
SB: I’ve been told that there are some excellent jazz festivals in Bulgaria, so I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring our talented cast!
a: Is it hard to work with 30 artists? Could you, please, explain what is the thing that keep you together?
SB: In Postmodern Jukebox, everybody gets a chance to shine, and the musicians and vocalists tend to support each other as a result. We all get inspired by getting to work with talented people, and that makes it a joy. It would be hard to pack 15 people in a tour bus if they didn’t enjoy each other! 🙂
a: What are the main differences between a teenager from New Jersey living in the 30s and the same boy living now?
SB: Spray tans are more popular in New Jersey now. 🙂
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