18. april's second wind with brenton
read on for stream links, an interview with brenton, and our annotated tracklists : )
second wind family! i’m so happy you’re still here. just realized it’s been just over a year of this substack existing…. like…. what… is…. time….?!? thanks to every person who clicks open, sends me a text after reading, subscribes, reads, listens, cares… it all matters to me < 3 i’ll share a reflection on this milestone soon probs. tbh i’ve been lk scared to crack this thing (the substack) open and get back to it (my writing practice), but it’s summertime which means summer camp vibes for me … time to lean into the passions once more!
we’re here to talk about april’s show, which featured my dear, dear friend brenton!!! my hour was first, and was true audio diary vibes - klein’s spiritual warfare for my emotional pondering, tyla and zara bc summer felt so close, love songs bc…. #love, prince and chaka khan live for the way live music makes my heart burst. and then brenton’s set! new to nyc but not new to this!! truly the most brenton-ass mix!!! a real gift and exactly what i was hoping for <3 a set filled with passion and purpose - timeless. ft. r&b, soul, house, a quintessential remix or two, and the cherry on top - a go-go moment to tie it all together : ) eternal gratitude to my bro for sharing the show with me and the energy you brought, a really special moment to share < 3
scroll on to listen to the show for yourself, and while you do that, read a thoughtful, honest, and inspiring interview with brenton himself! followed by annotated tracklists from both of us : )
enjoy, and see you back at the lot on july 5th for the next episode of second wind. special guest announcement coming sooon ……
with so much love and gratitude, always!
nazuk
april’s second wind ft. special guest brenton <3
watch the set here.
listen to it below : )
1) Brenton! Tell me about your set! What did you have in mind when you were preparing the tracks you wanted to play? What energy were you trying to capture?
I wanted this set to reflect the music I’ve been drawn to over the past year. A lot of it is rooted in soul and R&B, but I also included house tracks and other songs that have had a real impact on me. More than anything, I wanted the set to feel personal and show the sounds, emotions, and artists that have always inspired me. The energy I was trying to capture was warm, soulful, and uplifting, while creating moments that make people want to move and connect with the music.
2) Is there a song in particular that you were super excited to play and why? Anything you wanted to play that you didn’t have time to?
I was really excited to play “Ladyz (Reggae Bounce Mix)” by Crooklyn Clan. I’ve been listening to that track since high school and college, and it’s always been one I’ve felt connected to. The original sample, “Gotta Get You Home Tonight” by Eugene Wilde, was a song my dad used to play, and I’ve always loved how the Cutty Ranks sample is worked into it too. It brings together a lot of sounds and memories that mean something to me.
If I had more time, I probably would’ve played more UK street soul, I can’t stop playing that lately, and maybe some go-go records. Those are sounds I’ve been really drawn to.
3) What’s your earliest musical memory? Is there someone/somewhere/something you think of or credit with bringing music into your life?
Definitely my parents. They really shaped my entire taste in music. My mom played a lot of ‘70s and ‘80s soul, R&B, and gospel, while my dad was really into early ‘90s R&B and New Jack Swing. That’s pretty much all we listened to growing up. Music was always playing in the house, mostly through cassettes and CDs, and because they loved music so much, it became a part of my daily life from a very young age.
4) What was the last music experience (song/album, concert, DJ set, etc) that really moved you. Why?
Lately I’ve been inspired by DJ sets that introduce me to new sounds and experiences from all over the world. A lot of producers inspire me too, like Ohbliv from Richmond, VA. I’ve always kept up with his tapes and resonated deeply with his sound, the familiar samples he flips and the inventive production behind them. Nutty’s NYS is a DJ/producer from Johannesburg, South Africa who has opened my ears to music from another continent and left me feeling genuinely inspired again. And lovers rock has always moved me, l learned to slow down and appreciate the soul and calmness that lives in that genre.
5) When do you listen to music most? During what activity?
Honestly, I listen to music all day, every day. It’s the soundtrack to almost everything like when I’m getting ready in the morning, working out, walking, even working. I try to be present when I’m with my friends and family but when I’m solo and spending time with myself I’m usually playing something.
6) If you’re getting in the car with someone, what’s one song you’d throw on right now?
Right now, since it’s early, I’d throw on J Dilla’s “Think Twice.” But I’ve also been playing “Love You Bad” by Dinner Party a lot lately, so it’d honestly be one of those two.
7) What’s your latest interest/obsession, music-related or otherwise?
Music is always a constant obsession. But outside of that I’ve slowly been getting back into other forms of creating like photography, drawing, painting, experimenting with different mediums. I’ve also fallen deep into urban design lately like how neighborhoods are built, how they evolve, and the culture that lives inside them.
8) What’s the most recent thing that’s made you feel inspired?
Recently, a lot of my inspiration has come from thinking about the time I spent living in Leimert Park in LA. Being there made me pay attention to how culture lives through sound, place, and community and not just in music itself, but in the energy of a neighborhood, the conversations, the style, the history, and the way people gather. That’s been sitting with me a lot lately, especially when I think about what I want a set to feel like.
9) You just moved to New York!! Something you’ve been willing for many years < 3 What’s been your favorite thing about living here the last few months? Or maybe something that’s surprised you about life here so far?
So far I’ve loved how much the city has to offer, there’s always something happening. But honestly the biggest surprise has been how much green space there is here. Being in Harlem means I’m close to Morningside Park, Marcus Garvey Park, and Central Park. I’m excited to live somewhere with so much history that I align with and really get to know the community.
10) You’re a lifelong music lover, but who/what inspired you to start DJing at this time in life, particularly vinyl? And how did you learn?
When I turned 25, my dad gave me my mother’s cassette collection. Then I began slowly collecting cassettes, then records followed naturally. After buying turntables and growing my collection, I started practicing and spinning in Miami. When I moved to LA I met friends who shared the same passion, and learning from them was incredible. Now I’m in NYC hoping to keep spinning and build a community here.
12) What are you looking forward to most this summer?
Going to events around the city, building a community around music and people pursuing their passions, and just appreciating being here. Being closer to family means a lot too, and I’m looking forward to continuing to get to know myself in a new environment.
annotated tracklists :)
hour 1: nazuk———
spiritual warfare - klein
klein is an all-time fave. this one soundtracked a very emotional last dog walk in va during a trip to help take care of my parents. it’s giving “what even is life” but “isn’t life beautiful?”
all i could think of - loukeman
another song that evokes multiple feelings at once - he’s awesome
‘till forever - labi siffre
ppl are in love! it’s beautiful. i am somehow so late to the labi siffre fandom lmao but this songwriting and the music that love inspires is just… wow.
you could have it - horse vision
rec from my bro diego….. siiiiick as usual
xoxo - rooster
^^ see above
leech - mila culpa
some of the most beautiful writing in a long time < 3
out the window - kehlani
yeah i love a singalong…………
idk idk - jim legxacy
dachshund going dummi at the computer single art is goated lol
postinternetfame - quiet light
one of my fave songs from one of my fave projects this yr! so special : )
wyd - karrahbooo
she literally never left LOL …. sickening < 3
no disturb sign - beres hammond
he just knows how to paint a picture!! lmao
she did it again - tyla + zara larsson
pewiod as my friend maya says
va dodo - naza + guy2bezbar
gym time banger courtesy of the youtube algo lol excited to hear this out/play it out next chance i get
rain or shine (sean mccabe remix) - circle of funk + mike city
visited khalila in detroit and ofc brought back a song souvenir from the evening out on the town : )
love’s gonna last - jeffree
another gift from clickin around/lettin it play, i love this song !!! #love once more
sweet thing live at the cafe de paris - prince + chaka khan
was in one of those listen to live performances on repeat moods lol this was one of three. the other two were jodeci lately unplugged and olivia dean’s cover of knocks me off my feet LOL #icontainmultitudes
hour 2: brenton———
flowers - for real
i came across this track during covid listening to a lot of soul music and it sounded beautiful, the instruments, the lyrics, the vocals are all so powerful, i loved the message and it became one of my favorites instantly
climax (girl shit) instrumental - slum village
slum village is my favorite group it was very hard to decide which track of theirs to play but this one has always been so smooth to me I had to do it lol
free as a bird - dwele
i recently came across this track and would play it on long walks through the city when it’s nice and it matches the energy pretty well. i have been listening to more dwele lately and discovering more about his discography so I was excited to play this
local - ojerime + jesse james solomon
ojerime has been one of my favorite artists for a few years now so i had to put at least one of her tracks in this set.
real luv - qendresa
2manythings (styles davis remix) - gwen bunn
I play gwen bunn’s music very often. her Safe Travels project stays on repeat but i love the remixes she did to 2manythings
the promise - nutty nys
i stumbled upon this song and the producer a few years ago, almost feels like a spiritual track or like you’re ascending
lyk u use 2 (ft. andres) - moodymann
i want you (kaytranada remix) - erykah badu
both the original and remix stay in rotation
ladyz (reggae bounce mix) - crooklyn clan
one of my favorite songs to hear at a party, brings back so many memories and never fails anywhere
ring the alarm - tenor saw
really a timeless classic
bump it, pt 1 + 2 - erykah badu
love this album! and the mellow sound of this track
o.p.m. - dom kennedy
this brought me back to 2011 and also recently being la it’s a great track for any function. love this track and the whole tape is still one of my favorites
**nazuk note: lmaooo i love that you played this bmix i know you’re dom kennedy’s #1 fan
seen was set (norm talley mix - big strick vocal) - omar s
i can play this over and over honestly, feels like it doesn’t end in a very good way
livin 4 u - kiss the sky
this song just puts me in a good mood every time I hear it
searching (live) - erykah badu
i can’t stop playing erykah badu’s live album. there are so many good songs on it and i love all her covers on that album. rip roy ayers!
don’t say you will - new impressionz
i really love this new impressionz track, i played this album a lot in college and love the feeling i get when i hear this or when i play it for people. it brings back so many memories and gives me a sense of home. It was either this or rare essence “no ordinary love”!