Bro Safari Opens Up About Substance Abuse, Return to Music: "I Am In a A lot Higher Place Now"

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 easy methods to say it.

Nonetheless, listed below are some ideas…

Simply earlier than Covid hit, I made a decision that I wanted a break from the Bro Safari undertaking. 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 buddies. This wasn’t intentional. After some time, I discovered myself uncertain of easy methods to even transfer ahead.

I entered remedy.

Remedy did rather a lot for me, mentally. I used to be in a position to rid myself of lots 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 way of life. 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: In the course of the lockdowns and as much as today, I’ve been actively engaged on music. I discovered easy methods to play the piano and I reignited my ardour for dwell music. I grew up taking part in in bands, so selecting up my guitar once more has introduced me lots 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 unsure that I ever will once more. *THAT* is what has been so exhausting to say to you all. You handed me this unimaginable platform and following, and I felt like I’d be betraying that by shifting away from what made me common 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, taking part in in punk bands in Atlanta. The subsequent chapter was my Drum & Bass undertaking, 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 undertaking. 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. You might not have observed it from the gang, however I used to be unbelievably nervous all through all the Bro Safari life cycle. I typically had no confidence within the music that I used to be making and I spent rather a lot time doubting myself. Don’t get me unsuitable, I had a blast doing it for probably the most half, however I all the time 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 kind 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 performed with this undertaking fully? The reply to that's - Sure, in its former kind, I gained’t be returning to that, however I’m additionally scared to shut the door on the undertaking as a complete. I feel that one of the best factor I may do now's be trustworthy about these things with everybody as a substitute of internalizing all the pieces and ignoring the world. In an ideal situation, I launch some new initiatives after which possibly 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 count on.

I discussed earlier that I've actively been engaged on music for the previous couple of 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 undertaking 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 adequate, 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 remaining as a B sides launch, shortly after. The album is formally completed now and we’re engaged on art work, movies and remaining masters. I’ll preserve folks 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 couple of years. Starting from experimental bass music to ambient soundscapes to Jungle/DnB. We wish to launch ALL of it. He and I will probably 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 will probably be within the type of an EP, which is being mastered very quickly. After that, we will probably be releasing the ambient undertaking. After that, we now have A LOT of Jungle and Drum and Bass to launch. That one could take a bit longer as we now have most likely 20+ tracks to combine and grasp. Once more, I will ensure to drop progress updates right here as typically as essential.

Subsequent - I discussed that I reignited my ardour for dwell music. Final 12 months, the drummer that I grew up taking part in 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 at the moment fleshing out an EP w/ the singer I labored with on my Minus Music undertaking. That may 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 greatest as a musician when I've a guitar in my arms. 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 happening with me over the previous couple of 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 achieve readability. I now notice 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 as a way to drive ticket gross sales, and so on. I perceive that’s the trade norm, however I don’t prefer it. I can’t be compelled to comfortably placed on a smile and promote myself like a product in a crowded market. I envy those that haven't any drawback doing it, however I can’t convey myself to be that particular person. If I'm to be “energetic” on social media, It needs to be on my phrases. I'm a non-public particular person, by nature, so sharing myself feels invasive. Nevertheless, I’ve additionally come to understand that I want to take a look at you all like a household as a substitute of as an viewers. You gave me all the pieces that I've and I must do not forget that, shifting ahead. That doesn’t imply that I’m going to be posting rather a lot, however after unloading all of this, my hope is that I’m 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 occasions.

Thanks for (nonetheless) being right here.

<3
- Nick