Interview: Meet Kid Brunswick

Words Aimee Phillips
Photography Kai Giraulo
Styling Kay Altamira
1st Fashion Assistant Melissa Schwarz
2nd Fashion Assistant Honor Gartland
HMUA Emily Wood @ Creatives Agency
Production Studio Notion

September 1, 2020September 5, 2020

Get to know Kid Brunswick, an integral part of the wave of young, emerging talent bringing punk music back to the fore.

Debuting just last year with the spacey Eyelar collaboration “FXCK YOU CAUSE YOU WERE THE ONE”, Kid Brunswick then shared “Penny”, a guitar-led track with distorted vocals. Next came “SKINNY”, a darker sounding song with a chorus made for the mosh-pit.

On his latest release, “Prescription Kid”, Brunswick bares his soul and past in one of his most raw tracks yet. Delving deep into the difficulties and nuances associated with addiction and mental illness, the song is immediately charged from the start. White static acts as a spark before a heavy electric guitar smashes it’s way through the door and a beat thumps alongside. A mark of his constant evolution, Kid Brunswick’s vocals sound more loaded than ever before. It makes for a thoroughly commanding song that’s hard to forget.

It’s this clear talent stacked with a drive to communicate his personal experience that makes Kid Brunswick (otherwise known as Harry James) such a captivating talent.

The West London singer, songwriter and producer has found solace in the creation of music, using it as an outlet for his emotions during difficult times. Growing up, Brunswick always loved music and played the drums from an early age. Unable to focus at school, he pursued music full time, working with rappers and producing beats on his laptop. Ten years down the line and he was ready to emerge as Kid Brunswick – the artist he is today.

We spoke to the up-and-coming musician about the healing, transformative power of music and its importance in shaping identity. Jump in!

Vest and trousers Scotch & Soda
Belt OFF WHITE
Shoes Doc Martens
Necklace and hammered ring Mi Manera Jewellery

If you could summarise it, what would be the story of how you became a musician?

I played drums from a very early age which got me a scholarship into a very prestigious school. I got kicked out of that place and struggled to focus in school, the only thing I really cared about was music. Fast forward 10 years I was producing beats on my laptop and working with rappers in East London.

After a short while of doing that I started writing my own lyrics and laying my own melodies down. The rest is kind of history, I just continued to develop until I figured out that I wanted to be my own artist.

You wear your heart on your sleeve in your music. Do you find that being open comes naturally to you?

It never used to. I used to lie a lot as a coping mechanism for how I felt about myself. The only time I could really be truly honest with myself was when I was writing songs, which is why it’s the only thing I haven’t given up on. I’m still working on being open in social situations, but I find talking to a group of people freaks me out.

Do you find music – both the creation of it and listening to it – to be healing? If so –at what point did you discover that?

Yeah, it’s a healing process, addressing old problems on a record is therapeutic.

I don’t know when I first discovered the healing process of music, it seemed to always have been there.

Leather jacket Luis de Javier
Necklace and hammered ring Mi Manera Jewellery
Double and distance ring Räthel & Wolf

On “Prescription Kid” you talk about the over-prescribing of drugs in the US and the negative effects it has had on yourself and people you know. What would you like to see change?

I have personal experience with antidepressants, antipsychotic mediation, ADHD medication and prescription medication being sold as street drugs.

I’m still on prescription drugs. I don’t want to be but I can’t seem to get off them.

If I don’t take my pills I start shaking, then after that, I get nauseous and start vomiting.

I’ve tried to self-detox multiple times from prescription pills which I couldn’t follow through with. After a week I was fucked. It’s impossible, and when I sought professional help the only thing that was recommended by the GP was a stronger antipsychotic medication.

In my opinion, it seems that the purpose of prescription medication is to cover up the problem instead of fixing it.

Have you always been a creative person?

I feel like everyone is a creative person, some people just get the opportunity to express themselves more honestly than others.

Do you think music is influential in shaping people’s identity? If so, to what extent do you believe that?

Speaking from personal experience, yes, I wouldn’t know how other people are shaped. I guess lyrics can define how we feel, different albums/artists are soundtracks to certain periods of life. Nirvana, Green Day, Eminem & Sum 41 were the soundtrack to my childhood, Travis $cott and Trap were what really shaped my early teens.

Hooded jacket Colmar
Suit In Gold We Trust

Belt OFF WHITE
Vest and trousers Scotch & Soda
Shoes Doc Martens
Necklace and hammered ring Mi Manera Jewellery

Who are some of your biggest musical inspirations?

Kurt Cobain, Thom Yorke, Travis $cott, Trent Reznor.

I think my soul is split into different places – light and dark. I like to believe that I come across as happy and fun to be around, but these artists talk about things I relate to the most.

What are some of the most important things that you’ve learned about yourself?

I find it hard to open up to people; I hate being judged; I don’t like polo shirts.

What are some of the best and worst bits of being a musician, in your experience?

The feeling of pure elation and ecstasy when you’re writing something special is unparalleled. No drug that I’ve ever taken could match that feeling. It’s fucking insane. It’s like a lightning bolt is passing through my core, I don’t eat for a day or so when I’m writing something big, I’m running on an external energy source.

The downside to that feeling is that when I finally get some sleep, the waiting period between songs can be sufferable.

The comedown from the dopamine rush of writing can last for days, and once the song has been played on repeat for a week or so, you start thinking about the next one, and when the next one doesn’t come you start doubting yourself. That sucks and the worst part about it is that it’s all in your head… there’s nothing you can do about it other than stay focused.

Where are you happiest?

The woods.