LA based musician Opus Vitae (also known as Banah Winn), released his debut album ‘Gramercy’ on 25th September!
We had a chat with Banah to discuss all things LA, yoga and of course ‘Gramercy’!
Why did you choose to move to LA? What do you like most about being there?
“I chose to move here for music, the weather, and I was living in The Bay Area so it was an easy transition for me. Happened rather naturally.
“I love that this city has everything, and yet you still can have your own quiet space. I live in a lovely house tucked away in the hills so it almost doesn’t feel like a city unless I walk down the hill.”
Do you think that being based in LA has been beneficial for your musical path?
“Absolutely, I think this city, the people in it, the interactions and experiences here have very much influenced me and had a big effect on the music I make.
“ When I first moved here there was this romantic pull towards Silver Lake and I just thought it was the coolest neighbourhood ever. It’s really fun to be surrounded by so many other musicians and music people.”
How long were you working on your debut album ‘Gramercry’?
“I wrote and recorded everything in 8-10 months. It was like I was purging the record. Everything just came out on the first try.
“Was a really cool experience. And the first time I’ve written, recorded and produced a record solo. Also I wrote the songs as I was writing and arranging the parts which was a new process and a fun one for me.”
Which tracks stand out for you/which tracks are your favourite? What are the meanings behind them?
“’The End Of The Road’ – It’s about climate change. It’s about wanting to inspire positive change, awareness, and to stoke the energy of positive action for our collective future.
“’Chasing Ducks’ is about family and nostalgia. I’m just proud of that song, It feels very honest. I mean all the songs are honest but that one in particular.”
What have peoples responses been like to the album so far?
“Total fandemonium, people are like losing their minds.”
Did you have any concerns about releasing an album during the coronavirus pandemic, particularly since it means you are unable to tour?
“I think since so many people are at home and spending more time watching and listening to things it’s a great time to get in front of people’s ears.
“It’s such a headphone / sonically lush record that I think this time where everyone’s taking a pause gives more people a chance to really sit with the record and feel it.”
You compose and record everything solo, what do you enjoy most about this? Are there any challenges?
“My favourite part about it was making whatever I wanted to and just following my intuition.
“Other times I’ve loved writing and being around people, having other people involved in that process but in this particular moment it was just right to do it all on my own.
“I think my next record I’ll take a very different approach and act more as just a songwriter and have a band and producer play all the other parts for me. That sounds fun and a lot easier haha.”
What does your writing process typically involve?
“For Gramercy I’d start with a part or a riff. Every song was started on a different instrument, some with drum beats, or I’d take my analog synth and make up some cool sounding sound on there.
“I’m really proud of that, I custom made / crafted all of the sounds myself, some of them I spent days on getting those synth sounds just right toying with that keyboard. No presets on this record hahaha.”
During quarantine you managed to find peace by making time for yoga, how often would you say you take part in yoga? How is it beneficial for you? Would you recommend other people try it?
“I just practice whenever I feel like it. It’s been pretty sporadic but before quarantine I used to practice yoga almost every day and did that for around 4 years.
“It’s a great way to focus on relaxing, calming but most importantly it’s the practice of being aware of how you feel without being caught up in it.
“Yeah! People should totally try it, if they’re called to it, it’s a wonderful tool. It can be many things, it can be exercise, it can be fun and playful, it can be life changing, just depends on the yoga and the person.”
What else did you do to help stay positive during quarantine?
“I’ve been driving up to the mountains and beach a lot with my guitar and writing positive John Denver style folk tunes about the trees and rivers and blue sky. It’s been working :)”
I heard that you performed a set for The Wild Honey Pie on a cliff! How did this come about? What was it like? This is an incredibly spontaneous and cool thing to do, would you say that you’re quite a spontaneous person?
“I think that video might have been the start of my mountain and beach song writing. Yeah it just sort of happened, it was a spur of the moment idea and it just felt right, everything just clicked and came together.
“That’s how it works when you just follow that inspiration. Yeah, I’ve made a shift to allow and follow spontaneity as much as possible because it often leads to very satisfying and magical things like that video.”
‘Opus Vitae’ means ‘life’s work’, how did you come up with this name? How do you intend on capturing and creating this?
“I wanted something that would say what I wanted the project to be. I think the Gramercy record is a good jumping off point for it, and I plan on making many more records under the name.
“I’ve also realized that life’s work really is only about one thing. And that’s being happy, growing, expanding and following the path that is most uniquely you (or me).
“With that in mind I just started a lifestyle brand called For Me. For Everyone. which is all about exactly that, It’ll be tied to Opus Vitae loosely.
“So my life’s work is more of a general theme and I’m excited to see what other details and ways I can let that happiness and creativity flow in the future whether it’s more music, fashion or other things I haven’t even thought of yet.”
Have you got any upcoming projects/plans in relation to your music? For example, do you plan on touring next year, do you have any plans to start working on new material etc.
“I’ll be putting out another EP most likely before the end of the year. I have a bunch of other music that I’m getting ready to finish. And those folk songs I mentioned before.
“I’m always writing and creating so there should be a steady stream of stuff for the foreseeable future.
“Details are TBD but honestly I’m so excited to tour again, until then I’ll be dreaming about that feeling of interacting directly with a crowd, it’s like nothing else.”
‘Gramercy’ is out now, be sure to check it out!