
Lanier B. Interview
Q: Can you talk about your musical history?
A: Definitely, first I want to thank you for this interview and this platform not only on my behalf but that of other independent artists. My music background started with writing. I'd write poetry and that evolved into raps in middle school. To this day I have several of those composition notebooks of raps lol. By the time I was in high school I began to really dig deep into the music. Researching everything hip-hop, R&B, rock, pop artists etc. Hearing everything and taking notes on it. Eventually I got my mom to buy me my first beat making program and since then I've been writing, producing and recording music. All together it's been about 10 years. To humor my mom she used to rap back in the day sooooo she says I inherited the music abilities from her lol. Love you mom.
Q: How did Scratch Records come to be and what type of artists are on the label?
A: "From Scratch Records " Stems from the hip-hop entrepreneurs who've inspired me. Jay-Z, J.Prince, Diddy, Top Dawg, Chris Manak etc. I've always cherished the idea of starting a label and fostering talent. As of now we have Kay Da Kid who happens to be my cousin - he’s a rapper. I only see bright things ahead for him. Vanessa Anderson aka Nes though she has a new stage name V.Betti - she’s the first singer I ever collaborated with and has since become one of my closest friends, we make a lot of R&B content together. C.C. Munster another rapper on our roster who is also a very close friend from Germany - we linked up through Twitter and have been working on music ever since. I produce the beats and he just flows over them in ways I wouldn't have thought of and his way with words is astounding. He's gearing up to release our second project I produced entitled Down To Earth. Last but definitely not least Syd Otaku - she’s like a little sister to me and it's always a great time recording with her. Together we make more light hearted R&B songs. She's been performing for years alongside her mother a sensei of mine Kai from Skai Akademy [look them up!]. She's extremely talented! That leaves myself as the epicenter for everyone and everything that gets released through From Scratch Records. I'm master splinter, professor x. I rap, sing, make beats etc. Ha, but it's not just music but other art fields we include. One of these individuals for example being Jami West a very talented artist who I collaborate with on many of our album covers. I like to think of us all as a family. Right now we're growing together and soon we'll all leave the nest I've built and spread our wings. Come back even stronger.
Q: Can you talk some of the themes and topics on your release Have You Heard This One?
A: It doesn't have a theme or topic per se; it was the result of a car accident I had earlier this year and I was so shaken by it and hurt. My only outlet was to make music. When I think back on it the songs just poured out of me and I produced a lot of it in a short time. A creative burst like that only comes from trauma and the passion to overcome it. Aside from the artsy statements lol I just really like to dance to my music so I like to release electronic projects every now and then. It's so fun! These nine songs just make me dance, and my baby [this project] is really starting to walk! I'm so proud I could create something so special.
Q: Can you talk about your musical history?
A: Definitely, first I want to thank you for this interview and this platform not only on my behalf but that of other independent artists. My music background started with writing. I'd write poetry and that evolved into raps in middle school. To this day I have several of those composition notebooks of raps lol. By the time I was in high school I began to really dig deep into the music. Researching everything hip-hop, R&B, rock, pop artists etc. Hearing everything and taking notes on it. Eventually I got my mom to buy me my first beat making program and since then I've been writing, producing and recording music. All together it's been about 10 years. To humor my mom she used to rap back in the day sooooo she says I inherited the music abilities from her lol. Love you mom.
Q: How did Scratch Records come to be and what type of artists are on the label?
A: "From Scratch Records " Stems from the hip-hop entrepreneurs who've inspired me. Jay-Z, J.Prince, Diddy, Top Dawg, Chris Manak etc. I've always cherished the idea of starting a label and fostering talent. As of now we have Kay Da Kid who happens to be my cousin - he’s a rapper. I only see bright things ahead for him. Vanessa Anderson aka Nes though she has a new stage name V.Betti - she’s the first singer I ever collaborated with and has since become one of my closest friends, we make a lot of R&B content together. C.C. Munster another rapper on our roster who is also a very close friend from Germany - we linked up through Twitter and have been working on music ever since. I produce the beats and he just flows over them in ways I wouldn't have thought of and his way with words is astounding. He's gearing up to release our second project I produced entitled Down To Earth. Last but definitely not least Syd Otaku - she’s like a little sister to me and it's always a great time recording with her. Together we make more light hearted R&B songs. She's been performing for years alongside her mother a sensei of mine Kai from Skai Akademy [look them up!]. She's extremely talented! That leaves myself as the epicenter for everyone and everything that gets released through From Scratch Records. I'm master splinter, professor x. I rap, sing, make beats etc. Ha, but it's not just music but other art fields we include. One of these individuals for example being Jami West a very talented artist who I collaborate with on many of our album covers. I like to think of us all as a family. Right now we're growing together and soon we'll all leave the nest I've built and spread our wings. Come back even stronger.
Q: Can you talk some of the themes and topics on your release Have You Heard This One?
A: It doesn't have a theme or topic per se; it was the result of a car accident I had earlier this year and I was so shaken by it and hurt. My only outlet was to make music. When I think back on it the songs just poured out of me and I produced a lot of it in a short time. A creative burst like that only comes from trauma and the passion to overcome it. Aside from the artsy statements lol I just really like to dance to my music so I like to release electronic projects every now and then. It's so fun! These nine songs just make me dance, and my baby [this project] is really starting to walk! I'm so proud I could create something so special.

Q: You are a producer as well as a songwriter. I think some people have some confusion about the two roles justifiably. Can you talk about both those roles in the label?
A: As for my dual labeling I am the main producer of all our music - simply I make all the beats, and as far as the R&B songs, hooks here and there I'm the songwriter of that. I come from a background as an amateur film director too, so a lot of what was instilled in me was the DIY aesthetic. So I like to do everything. That also goes with our album covers. I usually draw a doodle and present it to an artist and we go from there. If I wasn't making music I'd be a graffiti artist I swear lol like KAWS, Basquiat, Keith Haring etc. Art is of upmost importance to me. So I want to do it all.
Q: Do any of the artists currently tour or play live?
A: We play shows here and there, but we haven't had a tour yet! I think we're still proving our worth right now and there's more to gain, but via my YouTube channel: Lanier Burton - you'll find tons of videos of our live shows and music videos, short films etc. If anyone out there is looking to book us let me know ;) lol we accept PayPal, Cash App!!
Q: What else do we need to know about your music, label and future?
A: I want everyone to know there's more music on the way ^_^ ! From Scratch Records will be the next in a long line of indie labels to succeed! I want absolutely nothing more than success for Kay Da Kid, Nes, C.C. Munster, Syd Otaku, Jami West. And everyone else I've worked with! You know who you are! As for my future specifically I want to continue to write and produce music, and soon create comic books! Most importantly I want to inspire other independent artists. Perhaps this venture will spark a creative mind somewhere, and we can be the influence to another generation. I want to see it all grow.
A: As for my dual labeling I am the main producer of all our music - simply I make all the beats, and as far as the R&B songs, hooks here and there I'm the songwriter of that. I come from a background as an amateur film director too, so a lot of what was instilled in me was the DIY aesthetic. So I like to do everything. That also goes with our album covers. I usually draw a doodle and present it to an artist and we go from there. If I wasn't making music I'd be a graffiti artist I swear lol like KAWS, Basquiat, Keith Haring etc. Art is of upmost importance to me. So I want to do it all.
Q: Do any of the artists currently tour or play live?
A: We play shows here and there, but we haven't had a tour yet! I think we're still proving our worth right now and there's more to gain, but via my YouTube channel: Lanier Burton - you'll find tons of videos of our live shows and music videos, short films etc. If anyone out there is looking to book us let me know ;) lol we accept PayPal, Cash App!!
Q: What else do we need to know about your music, label and future?
A: I want everyone to know there's more music on the way ^_^ ! From Scratch Records will be the next in a long line of indie labels to succeed! I want absolutely nothing more than success for Kay Da Kid, Nes, C.C. Munster, Syd Otaku, Jami West. And everyone else I've worked with! You know who you are! As for my future specifically I want to continue to write and produce music, and soon create comic books! Most importantly I want to inspire other independent artists. Perhaps this venture will spark a creative mind somewhere, and we can be the influence to another generation. I want to see it all grow.