5 Q&A With Berto
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind "contradiction" and the story it tells?
The inspiration for this entire project is my last relationship. This song comes in at the midpoint of the project. It’s the moment I take my power back from the situation and call out all the gaslighting my ex did, especially towards the end of the relationship. He changed up what he said he needed sexually from when we first started dated. Whether the gaslighting and him stating "no I ALWAYS said I was verse" along with some other things.... was intentional or a deep subconscious self-defense mechanism, it still really hurt and felt like a betrayal, after some processing after-the-fact.
Were there any challenges or obstacles you faced while creating this single?
Probably just some financial obstacles. Mid-way through producing this project I had an emergency situation occur and had to move from my home immediately that brought on a bunch of costs I was not calculating into my plan. It slowed down production, but luckily I was able to do some fiscal wizardry hahaha, and everything kinda worked out better this way anyway. The performances I ended up giving on the records improved from this for sure.
How does "contradiction" fit into your overall artistic vision and what can listeners expect from you in the future?
The thing I really like about my project as a whole is it showcases my range as a musician and artist. Each song is a different genre, it was really fun to make because it let me tap into all these different types of songs that elicit a spiritual significance to me. You know when a song just cuts through you like a celestial arrow? Yea, I've had that with all these genres on the project. So it was really beautiful to be able to pour out all my love, pain, yearning, learning, etc in my own rendition of these sounds :').
A question I've never really liked as an artist is "oh what kind of music do you make" and after hearing this album I hope to answer that question thoroughly!
Can you share a bit about your musical background and the journey that led you to where you are today?
I remember the first time I fell in love. It was first grade, when I saw a grand piano when all these musicians brought all their gear for my elementary school to see. I swear there was a spotlight raining down on that grand piano. I can still remember it today haha, don't think I'll ever forget. And then in high school I did marching/concert band,and learned to play the baritone/euphonium. When I learned to read sheet music, I taught myself how to play piano. I think the first song I learned was Zelda's Lullaby from Ocarina of time, and the only song I can still play from that era is Song of Healing from Majora's Mask haha. Then in college I learned jazz. I was DEEPLY DEEPLY into jazz and bossa nova (the levels of saudade I felt to go to Brazil... insane to say the least) when I was a junior/senior in high school and then all throughout college. I become ENAMORED by Esperanza Spalding, and she was the first concert I ever saw in my life in Oakland, CA.
But I've always loved indie, alt, etc. The Last Shadow Puppets was probably one of the most mind blowing bands I've ever experienced. And then obviously Blur and the Gorillaz till I DIE!
So I've really had an era with them all (genres) honestly so it just comes out when I write. I can just connect with all the sounds, I'm just a fan really HAHA <3
Can you walk us through your creative process when writing and composing music?
After playing instruments for a while, I decided to hop on the computer and start piecing together records. Currently one of my favorite ways to brainstorm a new idea is to get on loopcloud and pro tools and just chop up and arrange samples. It’s so fun and freeing because if I'm thinking about a certain sound but maybe can't play it on my instruments, I can just browse and then find something that sparks something akin, or maybe totally different but captures the feeling all the same.
It's all about what the great and mysterious music genie wants to bless you with that day honestly.