HISTORY OF BRAINORCHESTRA
Brainorchestra, the artistic alias of Andrew Melo, is a multifaceted independent artist hailing from Elizabeth, New Jersey. As a rapper, producer, and beatmaker, he has carved a distinctive niche in the underground hip-hop scene through a relentless work ethic, a passion for vinyl culture, and a commitment to authenticity. Since emerging in 2015, Brainorchestra has released over 20 projects, showcasing his versatility and dedication to crafting music that resonates with fans of both lyrical rap and instrumental hip-hop. Below is an in-depth exploration of his journey, creative process, achievements, and impact as an independent artist.
Origins and Influences
Born and raised in Elizabeth, a culturally diverse city with a rich mix of Spanish, Black, Caribbean, South American, and European communities, Brainorchestra was immersed in a sonic melting pot from a young age. His Portuguese heritage places him among the East Coast’s notable Portuguese-American population, but he grew up surrounded by a variety of musical traditions. This exposure shaped his eclectic taste, drawing inspiration from hip-hop legends like J Dilla, Flying Lotus, Rakim, Styles P, and Jake One, as well as the broader palette of jazz, prog-rock, and psyche-rock that he later explored in his instrumental work.
His musical journey began in childhood, sparked by playing instruments in school and listening to records with his older brother. A pivotal moment came during high school when he discovered the FL Studio on a school computer, igniting his passion for beat-making. What started as a hobby quickly evolved into a serious pursuit, as he honed his skills and began sharing his productions on platforms like SoundCloud and Bandcamp.
Creative Process and Style
Brainorchestra’s music is characterized by lush, jazzy beats layered with strings, horns, and keyboard textures, often underpinned by a raw, dusty aesthetic reminiscent of boom-bap’s golden era. His production style reflects a deep reverence for vinyl, a medium he both collects and uses as a creative tool. He’s an avid crate digger, scouring random spots while traveling and frequenting spots like Iris Records in Jersey City for rare finds. This hands-on approach to sampling allows him to weave intricate compositions that blend nostalgia with innovation.
As a rapper, Brainorchestra toggles between a smooth, authoritative flow and a raspier, more aggressive delivery, adapting his cadence to the mood of his beats. Projects like My Persona (2021) reveal a personal dimension, with tracks born from rough patches in his life, while albums like Big Brain (2022) showcase his ability to collaborate with rising talents like Butch Dawson, Jah Monte Ogbon, and Dre Doso. His instrumental series, such as Proglodyte Vol. 5 (2023), push boundaries by exploring prog-rock and psyche-rock influences, demonstrating his versatility beyond traditional hip-hop.
He typically works from his personal studio, dubbed “The Sanctuary” in Elizabeth, NJ where he values the focus on high-quality production for independent budgets. His prolific output - over 4000 beats and 500 songs crafted during the 2020-2024 period alone - speaks to an artist who thrives on constant creation.
Independent Hustle and Vinyl Legacy
One of Brainorchestra’s most remarkable feats is his success as a fully independent artist. Without label backing, he has taken control of every aspect of his career, from production and mixing to distribution and marketing. His commitment to physical media, particularly vinyl, sets him apart in an era dominated by streaming. Since 2019, he has sold over 3,000 vinyl records independently, a milestone he celebrated in a May 2023 X post. This achievement underscores his ability to connect with a dedicated fanbase of collectors and audiophiles who value tangible artistry.
His vinyl journey began with releases like From The 908 (2019), and he has since maintained a steady pace, pressing limited runs—often 200 to 300 copies—through his website (brainorchestra.net) and partnerships with entities like Copenhagen Crates and Fat Beats. Albums like Big Brain (300 copies) and E-TOWN GENERAL 1 + 2 (exclusive via Copenhagen Crates) highlight his knack for creating scarcity-driven demand, a strategy that mirrors the ethos of underground hip-hop’s DIY roots.
Financially, Brainorchestra sustains his career by reinvesting earnings from rap-focused releases (often distributed independently or through labels for broader reach) into passion projects like beat tapes for his core audience. This balancing act reflects a pragmatic yet artistic approach to independence, allowing him to maintain creative control while building a sustainable model.
In a music industry often dictated by corporate playlists, Brainorchestra stands as a beacon of independence - proof that talent, instinct, and perseverance can forge a lasting legacy, one record at a time.
press
Interview: Rapper and Producer Brainorchestra Unveils His Studio & Live Rig
Written by Psalm One
Brainorchestra, born Andrew Melo, is one of Elizabeth’s best kept secrets, but with his onslaught of quality hip hop projects and masterful approach, he will soon be a household name. He’s a native of the place affectionately known as E-Town, and has been cooking up his own brand of unfuckwithable hip hop for years. For him, growing up in Elizabeth had its advantages.
FULL ARTICLE BELOW
https://reverb.com/news/interview-rapper-and-producer-brainorchestra-unveils-his-studio-and-live-rig
“Digging Really Opens Up Your Mind In A Million Different Ways”: An Interview With Brainorchestra
Written by Oumar Selah (Passion Weiss)
Whether it’s a concept album or a casually collated beat pack, each Brainorchestra instrumental presentation is his way of telling stories without words. His oeuvre shifts between nostalgic Golden Era homages, piano-heavy ruminations, and sepia-toned soul loops, veering towards ambient electronica whenever he’s in his lovetones bag. It’s this aural variety that’s earned him co-signs from one of his chief inspirations, The Alchemist, as well as beloved figures like Evidence, Pink Siifu, and Lord Apex – with the latter two confirmed to be featured guests on a future Brainorchestra album.
When Brainorchestra raps, his casual flow harks back to the whimsical mischief emanating from Del the Funky Homosapien’s earliest work. You can’t help but grin and nod your head whenever he compares his pengame to Hattori Hanzo’s way with swords. It’s fitting that he’ll be supporting Blu & Exile at San Francisco later this month; despite hailing from different coasts, Brainorchestra is a stylistic heir-of-sorts to the duo, but he’s a more mellow cat who’s showcased his burgeoning mastery of aspirational slick talk on his two rap releases (It Means a Lot and E-Town General 2) so far this year.
FULL ARTICLE BELOW
https://www.passionweiss.com/2023/07/19/brainorchestra-lovetones-interview/
Brainorchestra’s “Tokens”: The Ones
Written by Dylan Green (Pitchfork)
New Jersey rapper-producer Brainorchestra pulls from all different kinds of media to create his own worlds. An avid fan of video games, his latest project Fallout: Vault 908 draws from the atmosphere of the titular post-apocalyptic game series to create colorful, hard-hitting beats. The second track “Tokens” is particularly striking, using an array of bleeping synths and gutter-deep drums to create a vibe as vibrant as the Pip-Boy watch’s green interface. It’s a brief blast of energy that will leave you feeling ready to take on a field of deathclaws.
FULL ARTICLE BELOW
https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/brainorchestra-tokens-new-song-listen/
Planet Asia : Medallions Monarchy Review
Written by Dylan Green (Pitchfork)
As a luminary of traditionalist hip-hop with two and a half decades worth of experience, Planet Asia is anything but humble. “I refuse to be over 40 and bitter,” he says plainly on “Everyday Victory,” a song near the end of his latest project Medallions Monarchy. Over blaring horns and organ stabs supplied by New Jersey producer Brainorchestra, he stakes a claim to his legacy by continuing to do what he does best: rolling out boasts, anecdotes, and smack talk like he’s working over a speed bag.
FULL ARTICLE BELOW
https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/planet-asia-medallions-monarchy/
‘Taking Risks’ on The Crackle
Written by James Wild
Without the benefit of a multinational corporation’s financial backing and access to millions of points of market research data, the independent musician has to rely on their own talent, wits, and above all, instinct. The perfect alchemy of these three elements is still a risk however, but one that the indie artist must take. One artist that has continually taken these risks is Brainorchestra. Hailing from New Jersey, Brainorchestra is a multi talented producer and wordsmith. Crafting his own brand of dusty, raw Hip-Hop, Brainorchestra has forged his own path in the music. Fresh off his latest European tour we spoke with the indie mastermind himself.
FULL ARTICLE BELOW
https://thecrackle.squarespace.com/interviews/brainorchestra-on-taking-risks-and-doing-you
‘Going Left’ on Complex Music
Written by Andre Gee
Take the art, and the artist, for who they are. The opening salvo for Brainorchestra’s Big Brain album suggests as much, with comedian Bill Burr bemoaning, “I resent the fact that someone’s gonna judge me some day… It doesn’t even make any sense. You made me, so this is your fuckup.”
It’s solid, hilarious advice that the Elizabeth, New Jersey native says he took to heart. “Basically what I got from it is that being judged is rather ironic,” Brainorchestra says. “Because we as people gain our understanding through other people, what they do, how they do it. It’s easy to judge someone who doesn’t align with your opinion or way of life. So I figured putting it as an intro would be kind of funny, because the song basically highlights how I feel about myself, regardless of others.”
FULL ARTICLE BELOW
Bandcamp ‘The Hip Hop Show’
Listen to the full Bandcamp interview with Stoney Creation for Brainorchestras full length album ‘Big Brain’
FULL SHOW BELOW
Swid Life Recaps ‘The Judgement’ Video
WRITTEN BY : MALLY
The accompanying video sees Brainorchestra rapping his pensive lyrics with a Screech-owl while surrounded by nature
FULL ARTICLE BELOW
https://swidlife.com/brainorchestra-kicks-off-new-album-cycle-with-video-for-the-judgement/
